Kölsches Heck

Kölsches Heck is a defensive system made of ditches, earthen walls, and dense rows of hornbeam hedges forming an old boundary line. The structure extends for several kilometers across varying elevations, with surveyed reference points marking its course.

The structure was built in the mid-15th century by the Count of Nassau-Orange during the Soest Feud from 1444 to 1449. After this conflict ended, the defensive system remained for centuries and shaped the landscape boundaries of the region.

The name refers to the border between Cologne and Nassau that once ran here. Today visitors can trace this boundary through the landscape itself, where the line remains visible in the terrain.

The site is easily accessible, and walkers can follow the defensive line on local trails. It is best to wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven ground and dense vegetation along the route.

At the highest point of the system stands a historical boundary stone at about 625 meters in elevation. This marker shows where water divides change and two different watershed areas begin.