Mill path at the Wiehengebirge

And it is true, at least for the millers of the Osnabrück region. Because they stay. And with great dedication and attention to detail, they keep their technical monuments in good condition - so that you can discover eleven historic mills on your hike along the 97-kilometer long Mill Path 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 Action
When children paint a mill, it almost always looks exactly like the Lechtingen Windmill: a proud gallery Dutch mill with four enormous wings. The fact that these still turn regularly is thanks to a group of mill enthusiasts. For five years, they restored the mill that was shut down in 1970. Today, it is the pride of the Wallenhorst community and a popular 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 no coincidence, 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 Pond
Here too, a group restored the historic facility, preserving also technical innovations that were added over time. For example, an 80-year-old diesel engine that was started in times of scarce water. In the mill pond opposite, there are two islands where the local heritage and hiking association operates a small open-air museum with a bakery, forge, and café - especially on Sundays, a wonderful rest stop 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 Weather Vane
The water mill in Nettetal has been producing flour for over 800 years. Additionally, electricity is generated here with the power of water. Not a completely new idea: The Tüchter Mill already supplied electricity to 19 households at the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to the nine water and two windmills, you will discover numerous other architectural monuments on 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 the Schloss Neu Barenaue as well as the Alte Alexanderkirche 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 supposed to "hatch" more churches. It worked, as you will see on the way.

For more information about the Mill Path and attractive package deals, visit www.muehlenweg-am-wiehengebirge.de

Our suggested stages:

Stage 1: Wallenhorst - Nettetal (Osnabrück), approx. 12 km
Stage 2: Osnabrück (Attersee) - Bramsche (Schleptrup), approx. 21 km
Stage 3: Bramsche (Kalkriese) - Ostercappeln-Venne, approx. 11 km