The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Barsinghausen

Something hidden for a quiet break

The Georgsplatz and Toppiusplatz in the Deister near Wennigsen are historical sites closely associated with mining, hunting, and forestry. The Georgsplatz was created as a meeting point for miners and was supplemented in the 19th century by a royal hunting lodge. Opposite lies the Toppiusplatz, which was formerly used for hunting ceremonies and gatherings, and today still commemorates events and people from that era through monuments. Today, both squares primarily serve as quiet resting and excursion spots in the Deister.

In 1799, the Bröhnstollen, finally 1700 m long, was built in the center of the later Georgsplatz for coal mining. Place names such as Maschinenhaus and Schmiede in the area southwest of the hunting lodge still indicate the location of associated operational parts. In the 19th century, Georg Egestorff operated a transshipment point at Georgsplatz for the coal mined in his pits at Bröhn, Suerserbrink, and Feldberg. For the transport of coal in the direction of Hanover, Egestorff had the Deister-Kohlenstraße paved to the Hamelner Chaussee. The material quarried in the quarry just west of Georgsplatz was presumably used as building material. On the hill northeast of Georgsplatz, a pyrite mine was established in 1829. It belonged to a local safety fuse factory. Later it was taken over by the Egestorffsche Zündhütchenfabrik and operated until 1895. The Gauführerschule „Bernhard Rust“ was later built on the site for the training of NSDAP functionaries. In 1963, the Lower Saxony Police Training Center for Technology and Traffic was established there. In the east of Georgsplatz, on the Forellenbach, lie the remains of several old Rottekuhlen. In 2009, several information boards about its historical use were erected along a two-kilometer path around Georgsplatz. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgsplatz_(Wennigsen)

On a snowshoe hike, the Wallmannhütte in the Deister hills becomes a quiet, almost magical place. Surrounded by snow-covered forest, it offers a welcome break where you can pause for a moment and enjoy the winter tranquility.

The Walterbach is a small, unassuming, yet significant stream in the Deister hills, giving its name to the Walterbach Valley. It originates in the wooded heights of this low mountain range and flows gently through a diverse valley of meadows, moorland, and dense deciduous forests. Its course appears natural and largely untouched, giving the stream special ecological value. Typical of the Walterbach is its clear, cool water, which meanders gently through the valley. Alders, willows, and ferns grow along its banks, providing shade for the stream and simultaneously offering habitat for numerous animals. Amphibians, dragonflies, and waterfowl find ideal conditions here, while the stream itself is home to small animals and insect larvae, which play a vital role in the ecological balance. The Walterbach not only shapes the natural landscape but also the atmosphere of the valley. Its soft babbling accompanies walkers and hikers on the surrounding paths, enhancing the feeling of peace and seclusion. Especially during periods of heavy rain, the stream becomes more prominent, demonstrating just how dynamic and vibrant this small body of water can be. Historically, the Walterbach likely played a role in the water supply and the use of the surrounding land, for example, for grazing livestock or small-scale forestry.

Its name is now Cemetery of Forgotten Children

Beautiful view of the valley - a bench is also available

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