Ahausen: Mills, Cycling and Hiking

Ahausen Between Mills and Trails

Ahausen combines historic local landmarks with routes for walking and cycling. The two mills by the village stream are part of the historic townscape; the hiking trail, the Apple Cycling Route and the Way of St. James each offer something different. When planning your stay, you can first decide whether architectural history, landscape, cycling or a pilgrimage route best matches your interests.

Mills: History and Architectural Design

The Upper Mill was first mentioned in 1457, and the Lower Mill in 1463. The Upper Mill is therefore first mentioned six years earlier. Both dates refer to the first recorded mention, not necessarily the year of construction. Both mills by the village stream are part of Ahausen’s historic townscape. The Lower Mill served as a bann mill for dependent—in other words, unfree—peasants. Its historic function therefore also reflects the social status of the people it served.

The architectural details also differ. The Upper Mill is an elaborately decorated, two-storey half-timbered building dating from around 1700. Half-timbering is a construction method in which a wooden frame defines the structure; together with its two storeys and decorative details, this gives the building a distinctive architectural character. The Lower Mill has a renovated mill wheel. The Upper Mill is notable for its structure and design, while the Lower Mill stands out for its mill wheel and historic role as a bann mill.

On Foot, by Bike and on the Pilgrimage Route

A hiking trail crosses the Aach and then follows a paved path through the Ried meadows. After leaving the forest, the trail offers a beautiful view of the Aach bend and the village of Ahausen. This describes both the route and its surface, as well as a specific impression of the landscape. This hiking option differs from the Apple Cycling Route: here, the focus is on the trail surface and landscape features, rather than exploring the area by bike.

You can explore the area around Bermatingen and the village district of Ahausen by bike on the Apple Cycling Route. The two options have different focuses: the Apple Cycling Route covers the area around both places, while the hiking trail highlights specific features such as the Aach, the Ried meadows and views of the Aach bend and Ahausen. If you are choosing between cycling and hiking, you can base your decision on how you want to get around and on the landscape features described for each route.

St. James’ Church in Ahausen is a stop on the Way of St. James. This gives Ahausen a clearly defined connection to pilgrimage, distinct from the general features of the hiking route. For travellers interested in the pilgrimage route, St. James’ Church is a specific landmark in the village.

Hiking in the Wider Bermatingen Destination

The wider Bermatingen destination is home to the certified Bodensee LandGänge hiking routes. These include the Bermatinger WaldWiesen-Weg, a circular hiking trail.

View the wider travel guide: Bermatingen.