Schwarzer Berg, Mining spoil tip in Eschweiler Wald, Germany.
Schwarzer Berg is an artificial hill made from mining waste that rises above Eschweiler's landscape. A wooden cross marks the summit, and stairs and paths lead to the top.
Between 1888 and World War II, a cable car system moved mining waste from nearby mines to this location, gradually building the hill. The mountain became a byproduct of the region's coal mining operations.
The name comes from the dark stone covering its surface, a legacy of coal extraction in the region. Today locals and visitors use the summit as a meeting point to take in the view over their town.
The hill is accessible from several hiking trails that begin at different points around town and vary in length. Wear sturdy shoes, as the stairs and paths can be slippery depending on the weather.
Beneath the dark surface lies the hidden Heinrich shaft, an old mining structure that once helped manage water in the surrounding mines. Few visitors realize they walk over this forgotten piece of industrial engineering.
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