Zum Ursprung der Oberen Argen - Rund um Stiefenhofen - Westallgäuer Wasserweg 21

To the Weißenbachmühle
In Stiefenhofen, it is first worth taking a short detour to the flood retention basin. It protects the village from the swelling stream during heavy rainfall. From there, the hike first leads past the striking meeting point made of local silver fir towards Ranzenried. Here the view opens up to the Nagelfluhkette with the 1833-metre-high Hochgrat. The route continues along the edge of the forest to the vacation village of Wolfsried. Take care when crossing the main road at the parking lot. The hike continues past three isolated farmhouses to the former Weißenbachmühle. There was already a farm here in 1290. The oldest evidence of a mill on this site dates back to 1579. Until 1876, grain was milled in the Weißßenbachmühle, the Sägemühle was in operation for much longer.

Obere Argen
This is also the origin of the Obere Argen: It is formed by the confluence of the Tannholzbach, Seelesgraben, Schwarzenbach and Trabersbach (Weißenbach). Since 1854, a railroad line has run alongside the torrent through the narrow valley. In the past, there used to be a mill and sawmill at the end of the valley. There is also a former mill in the village of Oberthal hofen. The technology of the water-powered gates still exists in part. A modern small river power plant generates green electricity. Between Oberthalhofen and Unterthalhofen, the Obere Argen flows in wide meanders through the agricultural meadows. In Unterthalhofen there is a still intact, active mill. Timber is cut here. At the same time, two turbines generate electricity from hydropower. The trail leads back to Stiefenhofen via Harbats hofen and through the Burgstallwald forest.