Leienkaul: Hiking in the Slate Mining District

Leienkaul can be the starting point for the 14.2 km Kaulenbachtal hiking loop in the slate mining region. The Kaulenbachtal brings together former slate mining, nature conservation and habitats for rare species. Maria Martental, a monastery and pilgrimage church, adds another highlight along the route. These themes offer different points of interest when choosing a hotel in Leienkaul: hiking, nature and cultural history.

Hiking and Mining Heritage

The association dedicated to preserving the history of slate mining also offers guided walks through the slate mining landscape. Check the arrangements before your trip if you would like to join a guided walk. The visitor experience in the Kaulenbachtal includes surviving mining remains, information boards, historic mine carts and a reconstructed slate-splitting house. The history of slate mining is therefore present both in the landscape and in tangible relics.

Nature Conservation and Landscape

The former slate quarrying area of the Kaulenbachtal lies between Leienkaul, Laubach and Müllenbach. It was designated a nature reserve in 1988 and a protected historic monument area in 1993. These two forms of protection give the valley both a natural and a cultural-historical focus. The spoil heaps and tunnels provide habitats for rare species, including wall lizards and hibernating bats. Mining heritage and nature are not separate here: the spoil heaps and tunnels are also habitats. The protected historic monument area was designated five years later.

Maria Martental as a Cultural Highlight

Maria Martental dates back to 1140 and is a monastery and pilgrimage church. Maria Martental is a highlight of the Kaulenbachtal route in the slate mining region. Its historical focus is on the monastery and pilgrimage, while the mining remains in the valley recall slate extraction.

Getting to the Visitor Trail

By car, you can reach the Kaulenbachtal visitor route from the A48 via the Kaisersesch exit. The onward route follows the L98, L100 and L52, then passes through Breitenbruch to a car park. Check current roadworks and traffic notices before setting out, as roadworks or traffic restrictions may affect the route.

More to Explore in the Wider Cochem-Zell Destination

In the wider Cochem-Zell destination, Reichsburg Cochem offers a different cultural-historical highlight. The medieval castle was restored and rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century by Louis Ravené as part of the castle revival movement. Visitors can see interiors including the Knights’ Hall, dining hall, hunting room and bower. Reichsburg Cochem offers traditional knight’s feasts on Fridays and Saturdays under the name “Gasterey nach Art der alten Rittersleut”; check the current schedule.

Many tourist attractions in the wider Cochem-Zell destination are well connected to the public transport network. The visitor program published in July 2025 lists the relevant bus or train services for each attraction. As some routes may change, check the specific connection before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Kaifenheim, Müllenbach, Laubach, Landkern, Illerich.

Return to the wider travel guide: Kaisersesch.