- Lütz
Short profile Total length: 6.4 km Highest point: 291 m Lowest point: 135 m Duration: approx. 2.5 hours Difficulty level: medium There is a map on the information board in Lütz (Moselstrasse, at the village entrance) with the route of the trail and plans of the mine workings. From here the route takes you along Moselstrasse, then down Herrengrabenstrasse. The Slate Mining Trail starts at the end of the street and can be walked in either direction. Pictures of the mines and interesting facts about slate mining and the natural history of Lütz can be found on 14 illustrated information boards along the 6,4 km-long circular trail. Find out all about the history of mining for roofing slate as you pass the many slate quarries and mines. The marked trail can be used all year round.
There is a map on the information board in Lütz (Moselstrasse, at the village entrance) with the route of the trail and plans of the mine workings. From here the route takes you along Moselstrasse, then down Herrengrabenstrasse. The Slate Mining Trail starts at the end of the street and can be walked in either direction.
Pictures of the mines and interesting facts about slate mining and the natural history of Lütz can be found on 14 illustrated information boards along the 6,4 km-long circular trail.
Find out all about the history of mining for roofing slate as you pass the many slate quarries and mines. The marked trail can be used all year round. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
There are places to stop for food and drink in the village.
Learn all about the history of slate mining in the village of Lütz in one of the loveliest side valleys of the Moselle river.
Slate mining was once an important industry here. Underground mining for roofing slate, thought to have started in the mid-19th century, reached its peak between 1900 and 1910.
There were eleven mines in Lütz - Westfalia, Herrnfeld, Rechtenberg, Weinsberg, Rudolfsglück, Wolf/Mosella/Luise, Burgberg, Burgwiese, Himmel, Philippsberg and Glückauf - with 19 tunnels and five exploratory tunnels.
The Herrnfeld mine (formerly the Westfalia mine) with its central tunnel called "Erna" was in operation for the longest period, until 1953. The tunnel system in "Mosella", the longest mine, extended for about 600 metres. The working chambers were up to 30 metres high.
The map on the information panel in Moselstrasse at the village entrance shows the layout of the mine and gives you an impression of the size and complexity of the network of tunnels. The tunnels shown were in three horizontal layers one above the other and extended for several hundred metres.
For safety reasons, and to protect hibernating bats, all tunnels are blocked with metal grills but the network of tunnels is illustrated on the information boards.
