TERRA.track Alkenkuhle

The large hole with the fascinating history, after which this circular path is named, is located in the forests between Ankum and Alfhausen. Therefore, hikers starting at the parking lot of the Ankum Golf Club leave the 18 small holes of the well-maintained sports facility to the left and instead discover an ancient, mystical cultural landscape in the shade of the trees. In addition to the impressive Grumfeld West megalithic tomb, along the nearly ten-kilometer-long path, five more megalithic structures can be found, which were erected around 5,000 years ago - making them the oldest preserved structures in Northwest Europe. Furthermore, evidence from later epochs of human history can be discovered: tumuli, as were common until the Iron Age, as well as one of the rarer Bronze Age stone chest graves.

Regardless of whether one believes in science or legends: No human found their final rest in the Alkenkuhle. Most likely, the many meters deep crater-like hole was created by the force of water, which hollowed out the rocks underground until they collapsed. The legend, however, claims that it formed very suddenly when God's wrath struck the innkeeper Alke at this spot. His "Alkenkrug" was halfway between Alfhausen and the church in Merzen, which is why believers rested there every Sunday - although, in his opinion, too briefly. So he vowed, in order to increase his sales: "My house shall sink into the ground if you do not have enough time for another glass." That was a lie. His guests missed the Mass, God was angry, took Alke at his word, and thus the Alkenkuhle was created. Allegedly, according to the legend, Alke's soul found no peace and he haunts the place where his inn once stood. But as long as you don't call his name three times, nothing should actually happen.