Green Ring - Tour VIII: Benthe - Ronnenberg - Gehrden - Benther Berg

Burgberg - Gehrden Sandstone

Nothing remains of the old castle; the observation tower was built later, but on a clear day it offers a great view

Castle Hill
A castle once stood on the summit of Burgberg; its exact age is unknown. Excavations conducted in 1931 suggest that the castle was built by the Cherusci, a Germanic tribe, about 2,000 years ago. The moat is still clearly visible as a trough-like depression. It originally had a V-shaped cross-section and was four meters deep. Over time, it was gradually filled in by decaying leaves and wood, causing it to lose its original shape. The rampart above it is also still clearly visible. In 1898, a master mason from Gehrden built a 21-meter-high observation tower right in the middle of the former castle. From here, you have an excellent view of the entire Calenberger Land region. It’s best to leave your bike at the bottom and tackle the fairly steep climb on foot.

Gehrden Sandstone
A depression in the ground and large boulders to the left of the path indicate the presence of an old quarry. “Gehrden sandstone”—also known as “Luffen”—was quarried here. This relatively soft material was used, among other things, to build the Struckmeyer Mill, which, unfortunately, now shows significant signs of weathering damage.