Mill path at the Wiehengebirge

And do not doubt, at least not when it comes to the millers of the Osnabrück region. Because they stay. And with great dedication and attention to detail, they keep their technical monuments in good shape - so that you can discover eleven historic mills on your hike along the 97-kilometer-long Mill Trail at the Wiehengebirge. Almost all of them are fully functional, most of them can be visited. And without exception, they are located in a particularly charming landscape between Osnabrück and the Wiehengebirge.Historic Technology in ActionWhen children draw a mill, it almost always looks exactly like the Lechtingen windmill: a proud gallery Dutchman with four enormous wings. The fact that these wings still turn regularly is thanks to a group of mill enthusiasts. For five years, they restored the mill, which had been shut down in 1970. Today it is the pride of the Wallenhorst community and a popular excursion destination, as the historic technology can be seen in full action. When you buy a souvenir in the mill shop, you support the association. Almost all the other mills along the way are powered by the force of water. It is not surprising, as countless streams originate in the Teutoburg Forest and Wiehengebirge, shaping the landscape along the way. The inner workings of a water mill can be experienced particularly well in Ostercappeln-Venne.Islands in the Mill PondHere too, a group restored the historic facility, while also preserving technical innovations that were added over time. For example, an 80-year-old diesel engine that was used in times of low water levels. Across the mill pond, there are two islands where the local heritage and hiking club operates a small open-air museum with a bakery, forge, and café - especially on Sundays, a wonderful resting place when there is fresh cake. For good reasons, not all mills can be visited from the inside. For example, the Sommer mill is privately owned and still in operation. For centuries, the Schleptruper Mühlenbach has powered a sawmill here.Castles, Palaces, and a WeathercockThe water mill in Nettetal has been producing flour for over 800 years. Additionally, electricity is generated here using the power of water. Not a completely new idea: The Tüchter mill already supplied 19 households with electricity at the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to the nine water and two windmills, you will discover numerous other architectural monuments along the way. Such as the ruins of the 1,200-year-old Wittekindsburg, the water mill in Nettetal Wassermühle in Ostercappeln/Venne, Wasserburg Alt Barenaue, and Schloss Neu Barenaue, as well as the Old Alexander Church in Wallenhorst. It is considered the oldest church far and wide. Its tower is crowned not by a rooster, but by a hen, as it was meant to hatch more churches. This has worked out, as you will see on your journey.For more information on the Mill Trail and attractive package deals, visit www.muehlenweg-am-wiehengebirge.deOur stage suggestions:Stage 1: Wallenhorst - Nettetal (Osnabrück), approx. 12 kmStage 2: Osnabrück (Attersee) - Bramsche (Schleptrup), approx. 21 kmStage 3: Bramsche (Kalkriese) - Ostercappeln-Venne, approx. 11 km