Grüner 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

Burgberg
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, around 2,000 years ago. The moat is still clearly visible as a trough-shaped 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 system above it is also still clearly visible. In 1898, a master mason from Gehrden built a 21-meter-high observation tower in the middle of the former castle. From here, you have an excellent view of the entire Calenberger Land region. It is recommended to leave your bicycle at the bottom and tackle the rather steep ascent 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. This is where “Gehrdener Sandstein”—also known as “Luffen”—was quarried. The relatively soft material was used, among other things, to build the Struckmeyer Mill, which unfortunately shows significant signs of weathering today.