Travelling on the X18: Traces of mining and the Ore Mountains

Hiking around Ibbenbüren

The Westphalian Heritage Association's X18 hiking trail runs 116 kilometres from Rheine to Lienen. With this impressive length, the trail can only be completed as a multi-day hike, but shorter stages are also possible as a day hike. For example, the route from Mettingen to Ibbenbüren is easily manageable at just under 14 kilometres. And best of all, the return journey can be made by bus. The R20 connects the two towns all year round and also runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays with advance booking.

The Westphalian Heritage Association's X18 hiking trail runs 116 kilometres from Rheine to Lienen. With this impressive length, the trail can only be completed as a multi-day hike, but shorter stages are also possible as a day hike. For example, the route from Mettingen to Ibbenbüren is easily manageable at just under 14 kilometres. And best of all, the return journey can be made by bus. The R20 connects the two towns all year round and also runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays if booked in advance.

On shady paths through the Köllbach valley

The starting point of this hike is the hiking car park at St. Agatha's Church in the centre of Mettingen. The route heads south along Kardinal-von-Galen-Straße to Teichstraße. Here, hikers meet the X18 hiking trail, which is signposted with a distinctive X. This runs steadily but moderately uphill through the picturesque Köllbach valley to the Schafberg plateau. In between, the water treading pool invites you to cool off and rest. Refreshed, the route continues along shady paths through a stately beech forest. After crossing Ibbenbürener Straße, the path becomes lighter and runs through meadows and fields and along the "Großer Tannenkamp" forest to Osnabrücker Straße and the Fisbecker Forst residential area. The X18 hiking trail leads leisurely downhill past the Theodorschacht. This former RAG Anthrazit Ibbenbüren GmbH mine, which was put into operation in 1880, lost its significance when coal mining ceased and is now filled in. It is currently being dismantled - meaning that more and more traces of the once so important industry in Ibbenbüren are disappearing.

Through the Ore Mountains

With a right-left combination, the route continues downhill southwards to Rochus. Iron ore was probably mined in the small wooded area on the southern slope of the Ibbenbürener Bergplatte from the end of the 17th century until the beginning of the 20th century. Traces of this can still be found in some places today. Hikers reach the edge of the forest on winding paths. Here there is a wonderful view of Ibbenbüren and the Teutoburg Forest beyond. Via the Wieschebrock cycle route, the now predominantly flat path continues westwards. Hikers pass the East Sports Centre, home of the Ibbenbüren football club, the Ibbenbüren climbing forest and the Heimathaus. Here, customs and traditions of times gone by are presented. Guided tours and coffee and cake are available for groups by arrangement. A pedestrian bridge takes walkers to the Aasee, Ibbenbüren's local recreation area with a wide range of leisure facilities, such as the Aasee swimming pool, Aasee Beach, dirt bike and skating facilities as well as various playgrounds and places to stop for refreshments. Here, hikers leave the X18 and walk west along the north bank, cross Münsterstraße at the traffic lights and follow the Ibbenbürener Aa to the Groner Allee car park. If you parked your car here in advance, you have arrived at your destination. If you want to return to Mettingen, turn right and take a cycle path into Ibbenbüren town centre and continue through the pedestrian zone to Ibbenbüren railway station. Here, walkers can take the R20 bus back to Mettingen to the "Schultenhof" stop, which is just a few hundred metres from the starting point at St. Agatha's Church. The R20 also runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays if booked in advance. Timetables are available at rvm-online.de.

The tour at Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/361379842