Stenzelberg (climbing area)

Overview

Stenzelberg is a little mountain of the "Siebengebirge" which has a great climbing area on top. Siebengebirge is a range south-east of Bonn in Germany. Siebengebirge rises over 400 meters above the river Rhein between Bonn and Koenigswinter. "Siebengebirge" could be translated to "Seven-mountains-range" because it has seven characteristic mountains with elevations up to 460 meters. Stenzelberg (287 meters) is not one of the seven big mountains but it is very popular anyway. The whole Siebengebirge is a recreation area and hiking area for the ca. 2 millions people of the region Cologne-Bonn. Siebengebirge was awarded as a biological reserve by the European Union in 2005, and with this award the climbing at Stenzelberg was more or less forbidden. Stenzelberg was a quarry for quartz-latit since the 11.Century. Several churches (e.g. Bonner Münster) in this region were builded with these rocks. The quarry ended in 1931. The most popular time of climbing was in the 1980s and 1990s. The Stenzelberg has four sections of climbing. Section 1 "West Part" Section 2 "The Tower" Section 3 "South Part" Section 4 "Lower Part - Unexplored" There is now proper guide-book for this climbing area but it has some very intersting routes. The diffculty is from III to IX. Look at the pictures. The are also some intersting boulder problems.

Getting There

From Bonn the old capitol of West-Germany follow the highway A59 to the south in direction to Koenigswinter. The A59 changes at Oberkassel to B42. You have to take the exit "Oberdollendorf". Follow the signs to Heisterbacherott and Thomasberg. Two kilometers after the end of Oberdollendorf is a parking at the right-hand side. From the parking leads a unofficial track directly to the top. First you reach the section "Lower Part - Unexplored". Evade this section on the left you will arrive at the "West-part" where the easier route are located.

Map of Stenzelberg - Click to enlarge	Siebengebirge - click to enlarge

Section 1 "West Part"

West Part

In this part are many easy routes for beginners. The high is between 8 and 12 meters. It is possible to toprope only by abseiling from the trees above. On the right side is a big overhang for heros. This part gets not as much sunshine as the south one.

West part - Left side	West part - Center	West part - right side

Section 2 "The Tower"

The tower is a alone standing rock between the West and South Part of Stenzelberg. The tower as some difficult routes. It is also proper for bouldering.

The Tower

Section 3 "South Part"

The South Part of Stenzelberg ist next to the West Part. The routes has middle difficulty and get more sunshine and are more dryer than the routes in the West Part. You have a nice overview of the region from the top of the routes.

South Part

South Part - Left side (behind is the West Part)	South Part - Center	South Part - Right side

Section 4 "Lower Part - Unexplored"

Lower Part - unexplored area

Lower Part - More or less unexplored	Lower Part - More or less unexplored	Lower Part - More or less unexplored	Lower Part - More or less unexplored

Red Tape

Unfortunately, climbing is forbidden (2011) !!! The area is very nice, so please avoid trash and walking through the wilderness. There are some official and unofficial tracks, please use them and don´t make some new ones!

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