Mill Trail (Stroll #7)

For centuries, people in the rainy Bergisches Land region have harnessed the power of water. Between the Wupper and Sieg rivers, more than a thousand mills once clattered away. In the municipality of Kürten alone, around 30 mill sites can still be identified. Some were used to grind grain, others to crush animal bones into fertilizer using water power, or to produce highly explosive gunpowder. Sawmills and hammer mills also used to be powered by waterwheels on streams and rivers.

The Kürten Mill Trail accompanies hikers on a 13,8-kilometer circular route to the remains of ten historic mill sites. Along the way, you'll learn fascinating facts about the history of mills and discover historic mill buildings. Some are still largely in their original condition, while others live on only in the names of historic restaurants or individual towns. The workings of the different types of mills are explained on the richly illustrated information panels along the trail, along with anecdotes and sayings that keep the history of mills in the Bergisches Land region alive. After all, even in the 21st century, the saying still holds true: first come, first served...

The trail has a total of 6 information panels. We thank Barbara Klein, who maintains the trail as a volunteer trail steward.