Easy hikes and walks around Rosendahl

The municipality of Rosendahl writes about the Barenborg: “The Barenborg is one of the best-preserved motte-and-bailey castles in Münsterland. The almost circular complex is located in a once extensive marshland, not far from where the Holtwicker Bach flows into the Dinkel. It essentially consists of an approximately 3 m high earth mound with a flattened top (diameter approx. 25 m), surrounded by a double moat system (Gräften) that is now once again filled with water. The width of the inner moat is approx. 16 m, the outer one approx. 5 to 6 m. The rampart is approx. 10 m wide and still approx. 1 m high; a causeway, bordered by the outer moat on both sides, leads to it from the northeast. The entire complex, of the "Motte" (French = earth heap) type originating from Normandy, has a diameter of approx. 100 m. The Barenborg was probably an important fortress in the late Middle Ages in the border area ("Bar" = border) of the Münster and Ahaus lords on the formerly important trade route from Ahaus to Coesfeld. The surrounding marshland, the ring wall and the moat system, then the sole access via the causeway and a bridge that existed at the time, offered the defenders good protection on the once-built-upon central island. At the beginning of the 15th century, however, the fortress was destroyed and abandoned. Today, the cultural monument Barenborg has an equal function as a natural monument. Nature has completely taken over the complex over time. As a wetland biotope, it now offers a valuable habitat for rare plants and animals.”

The municipality of Rosendahl writes about the Barenborg: "The Barenborg is one of the best-preserved shell mounds in the Münsterland region. The almost circular complex is located in an area that was once an extensive marshland, not far from where the Holtwicker Bach flows into the Dinkel. It essentially consists of an approximately 3 m high, flat-topped earth mound (diameter approx. 25 m), surrounded by a double moat system (Gräften), which is now once again filled with water, with an intermediate embankment. The width of the inner moat is approx. 16 m, the outer one approx. 5 to 6 m. The embankment is approx. 10 m wide and still approx. 1 m high; a causeway, accompanied on both sides by the outer moat, leads to it from the northeast. The entire complex, of the type "Motte" (French = earth heap) originating from Normandy, has a diameter of approx. 100 m. The Barenborg was likely an important fortress in the late Middle Ages in the border area ("Bar" = border) of the Münster and Ahaus lords on the formerly important trade route from Ahaus to Coesfeld. The surrounding marshland, the ring wall and the moat system, the sole access via the causeway and a bridge that existed at the time, offered the defenders good protection on the once-built-upon central island. At the beginning of the 15th century, however, the fortress was destroyed and abandoned. Today, this cultural monument, the Barenborg, has an equal function as a natural monument. Nature has completely taken over the complex over time. As a wetland biotope, it now offers a valuable habitat for rare plants and animals."

The Holtwicker See is fed by groundwater. The depth profile is varied, the shore is partly shallow, partly steeply sloping. There are shallow zones with aquatic plants and fish stocks with carp, tench, zander, perch, roach and stickleback.

The municipality of Rosendahl writes about the Barenborg: „The Barenborg is one of the best-preserved shell mounds (Turmhügel) in the Münsterland region. The approximately circular complex is located in a once extensive marshland, not far from where the Holtwicker Bach flows into the Dinkel. It essentially consists of an earth mound about 3 m high, flattened at the top (diameter approx. 25 m), surrounded by a double moat system (Gräften) with an intermediate embankment, which is now watered again. The width of the inner moat is approx. 16 m, and that of the outer moat is approx. 5 to 6 m. The embankment is approx. 10 m wide and still about 1 m high; a causeway, flanked on both sides by the outer moat, leads to it from the northeast. The entire complex, of the type „Motte“ (French = earth heap) originating from Normandy, has a diameter of approx. 100 m. In the late Middle Ages, the Barenborg was likely an important fortress in the border area (Bar = border) of the Münster and Ahaus territorial lords on the formerly important trade route from Ahaus to Coesfeld. The surrounding marshland, the ring wall and the moat system, the sole access via the causeway and a bridge that existed at the time, offered the defenders good protection on the once-built-upon central island. At the beginning of the 15th century, however, the fortress was destroyed and abandoned. Today, the cultural monument Barenborg has an equally important function as a natural monument. Nature has completely taken over the site over time. As a wetland biotope, it now offers valuable habitat for rare plants and animals.“

The Holtwicker See is fed by groundwater. The depth profile is varied, the shore is partly shallow, partly steeply sloping. There are shallow zones with aquatic plants and fish stocks including carp, tench, zander, perch, roach, and gudgeon.

🚲✨ The Nepomuk wayside shrine at Darfeld Castle is a small but fine highlight for anyone who appreciates the silent witnesses of history along the wayside. Amidst the magnificent park landscape around the moated castle, you will find this baroque sandstone figure that has been watching over the region's waters for centuries.

Idyllic short route along the Berkel.

Not so noticeable next to the castle.