On the trail of old mills (Adenau-Schuld-Wershofen-Wirft-Barweiler-Adenau)

The multi-day route fascinates with diverse landscapes waiting to be discovered during the hike. Ridges with magnificent panoramic views alternate with the beauties along various waterways and forest sections.

Starting from Adenau, the route can be divided into four varied daily stages:
1st stage: Adenau - 3 km - Leimbach - 6.2 km - Insul - 3 km - Schuld (total: 12.2 km)
2nd stage: Schuld - 11.8 km - Wennefelder Mill - 1.2 km - Hümmeler Mill - 7 km - Wershofen (total: 20 km)
3rd stage: Wershofen - 6.6 km - Antweiler - 11.2 km - Wirft (total: 17.8 km)
4th stage: Wirft - 3.1 km - Barweiler - 6.8 km - Kottenborn - 5 km - Quiddelbach - 5.7 km - Adenau (total: 20.6 km)

Of course, the route can also be started individually and adjusted according to daily goals.
Our hosts look forward to welcoming you and offer a wide range of overnight accommodations along the route:
Wershofen, Eichenbach, Antweiler, Rodder, Wirft, Barweiler, Kottenborn, Wimbach, Adenau, Leimbach, Dümpelfeld, Insul, Schuld

Highlights along the way:

• Hahnenstein Mill, Dümpelfeld
• Gillig's Mill, Antweiler
• Beautiful brook valleys and magnificent panoramic views
• Historic marketplace in Adenau

Here you can find our attractive hiking trips >> https://www.hocheifel-nuerburgring.de/wandern/wanderreisen

A suitable starting point for the multi-day route, which covers a total of 70.6 kilometers, is the historic marketplace of Adenau.
Initially, the hike leads through Kollengasse to the Leimbach Mill, 3 kilometers away. This grain mill in Leimbach was already mentioned in 1216, and its last miller passed away in 1980. However, it is still in operation today. The hike continues to the Bierenbach, 1.5 kilometers away, which flows below the village of Leimbach. There is an old oil and fulling mill there, the "Birnbach Mill," mentioned in the records of the former Nürburg office with lease payments for the watercourse as early as 1728.
After 4.5 scenic kilometers of hiking trail, you reach the Hahnenstein Mill, considered the most important of the Electorate of Cologne mills and already appearing in lease records in 1556. However, the current mill building was constructed in 1729. The last miller of the Hahnenstein Mill died in 1984. Since then, it has only been used for grinding. A visit to the mill is possible by appointment.
The hike then continues to Schuld, 4.5 kilometers away, to the Schulder Mill from the 17th century, which once belonged to the Cologne Cathedral Chapter.
>> Current note: Shortly after Schuld, the route is currently marked with a changed path due to a landslide in the lower Armuthsbach valley. The detour meets the main route again in the upper Armuthsbach valley. <<
Through magnificent Eifel nature, the hike continues towards Hümmel to the Wennefelder Mill, built in 1878 with two overshot waterwheels. This mill was in operation until 1953.
2.5 kilometers from there lies the Hümmeler Mill. It was also equipped with two overshot waterwheels and was shut down in 1953. Shortly before the Hümmeler Mill, the route leads over a small bridge to the left across the Armuthsbach. From here, we follow a steep forest path uphill and end by veering slightly left to follow a wider forest path to Ohlerath.
Before Eichenbach, you find the remains of the "Dreisbach Mill," located on the eponymous brook and first mentioned in lease records in 1583. Originally known as the Ducal Arenberg Mill, this grain mill was still in operation until the late 19th century. Further "On the Trail of Old Mills," the hiker comes to Antweiler, 5.5 kilometers away, where two old mills can be found. The Antweiler Mill, formerly in the possession of the Ducal Arenberg, originated in 1515. In 1686, the grain mill was renovated with two undershot waterwheels, and the old building was replaced by a new one in 1913. A turbine was installed and is still used for electricity generation. The Gillig's Mill can also be visited by appointment (current note: the mill is still under reconstruction due to flood damage).
The second Antweiler mill is the Antweiler Lohmill "Auf Brogh," which belonged to a tannery on the grounds of the former Ducal Arenberg Brewery. The path leads the hiker over the village of Rodder to Wirft, 8 kilometers away. There lies the Dreimüllershof Mill, built in 1908 for grain milling and expanded every 10 years - including with a small sawmill. Early on, the mill, which worked with an overshot waterwheel, was equipped with a Francis reaction turbine. The mill was closed in 1967.
The hiking route winds another 5 kilometers via Barweiler to the Barweiler Mill. Built in 1811 as an oil mill and converted into a grain mill in 1855, this mill worked with an overshot waterwheel. The next station is the Kottenborn Mill, 2.5 kilometers away. Built in the 18th century and first mentioned in old lease books in 1728, the mill was shut down in 1954. Through the village of Kottenborn, past Wimbach, you reach the village of Quiddelbach over 7.5 kilometers of hiking trails with marvelous views. The mill, also mentioned in 1728, was in operation until 1935. Until 1940, it was still used for the owner's family's own needs; afterwards, it was permanently shut down. From the Quiddelbach Mill, it goes 5 kilometers further past the Exmill in Breidscheid back to the starting point of the hike, the historic marketplace of Adenau.

The route is continuously marked with the trail logo.