Highs and Lows

This time we climb the east of the Aachen basin with Horst von Verlautenheide. The climb is worth it, because even though the highway and country road make themselves heard loudly for a short time, we are still rewarded with magnificent views. At the sight of Merzbrück Airport, we almost feel like we are soaring high ourselves as we cycle on flat farm roads across the expanses of the Börde.
Along the way, we find idyllic villages like Nirm, Linden-Neusen, and Euchen. Ancient farmsteads with more than 300 years of history bring a rural atmosphere. Shortly before, we passed through Aachen-Rothe Erde and Hüttenstraße, a relic of Aachen's industrial history. Until 1926, it was at times one of the largest steelworks in Germany with up to 6,600 employees. Among the witnesses is the former management building at the roundabout.
Then we dive into the green world of the Wurm far from settlements and traffic. Uphill and downhill, the route winds along the valley slopes with wonderful views of the open meadow. As a protected area of European importance, the Wurm is allowed to flow here. On the valley slope, on a mountain spur, Burg Wilhelmstein has been towering in a strategic position since the 13th century. Enemy territory from the Aachen perspective, as the Counts of Jülich once ruled here.
Down in the valley, former mill buildings testify to an equally long history. Over 45 mills once served a variety of purposes here. While oil was pressed and grain was ground at Adamsmühle, the Teuter Mühle pumped water from the mining tunnels, and Wolfsfurth transformed into a cloth weaving mill.
We descend into the Soersebene heading towards the city before making an attractive final stage with Lousberg.

Sights:
Elisenbrunnen
Burg Frankenberg
Burg Wilhelmstein