Via Regia - Fritzdorfer Mühle

This is a series of caches about the Aachen-Frankfurter-Heerstraße (AFH), the military road the German Emperors used in order to get to Aachen for their crowning ceremony. Hence the name "Krönungsstraße", which translates to "crowning road".

 
The Via Regia has been the most important road connecting Aachen and Frankfurt from the times of Charlemagne to the late 19th century. After being elected in Frankfurt they travelled to Aachen for their crowning ceremony.Moreover, the road was used for trading or troop movements. From Düren to Sinzig it roughly follows today's motorway 61. This section is special, as it has the steepest inclines of the entire road. The impact on the landscape is visible up to date, although many sections have vanished due to land cosolidation. But on satellite photos the course is well visible.

General information:

With this series I will only cover the AFH in the region of Grafschaft, there are a number of information posts throughout the marked hiking trail. Additional information can be found on the internet, on the information posts and at local clubs devoted to regional traditions. The hinking trail has been marked by the "Eifelverein". Every cache station is designed as a short multi-stage cache with trails under 5 km. Of cource, you can hike the whole trail at once (about 11 km, one-way!); then, it might be best to start in Eckendorf, because the station fit together best. Please follow the hinking sign "AFH" (black font on white square).The trail follows dirt roads, so hiking or (mountain-)biking is no problem, nevertheless, strollers or wheelchairs may not do the whole route. Cars or motorcycles are not allowed. After a raining peroid the road might be very muddy.

MULTI STAGE (< 1 km)

This station marks the highest point of the AFH. Here, the ravine cut deep into the grounds, which can been seen at the old windmill that is located several metres above the old trail. The information sign is located at the windmill, the old trail follows today's crossroad a few metres downhill and is called "Kaiserfurt" (transl.: emperor's ford).

Parking is possible in the village of Fritzdorf, or directly at the windmill.

At WPFM01 you are stanting in front of the information board.
Year, in which the mill tower is almost completely destroyed: ABCD
Height of the golden cup: EF

X = C-A

The cache is located at:
N50° 35.211 - DX
E007° 05.597 - F

Don't forget to note the Bonus number!

In order to get to the next station, follow the old trail eastwards. From there use the hiking signs AFH, as the old trail quickly goes cross-country.