TERRA.track Alkenkuhle

The large hole with the exciting history, after which this circular route is named, lies in the woods between Ankum and Alfhausen. That's why hikers who start at the Ankum Golf Club parking lot leave the 18 small holes of the well-mown sports facility to the left and instead discover an ancient, mystical cultural landscape in the shade of the trees. In addition to the impressive Grumfeld West megalithic tomb, there are five other megalithic sites along the almost ten-kilometre-long trail, which were built around 5,000 years ago - and are therefore considered to be the oldest surviving structures in north-western Europe. Further evidence from later periods of human history can also be discovered: Tumuli, which were common until the Iron Age, as well as one of the rarer Bronze Age stone cist graves.

Regardless of whether you believe the science or the legends: No human was laid to rest in the Alkenkuhle. It is very likely that the crater-like hole, which is several meters deep, was created by the force of the water, which hollowed out the rock underground until it collapsed. Legend has it, however, that it formed very suddenly when God's wrath struck the innkeeper Alke at this spot. His "Alkenkrug" was located halfway between Alfhausen and the church in Merzen, which is why the faithful stopped at his place every Sunday - albeit too briefly in his opinion. So, in order to increase his turnover, he claimed: "My house will sink into the ground if you don't have enough time for another glass." That was a lie. His guests missed mass, God was angry, took Alke at his word and thus the Alkenkuhle was born. Legend has it that Alke's soul never found peace and he haunts the place where his inn once stood. But as long as you don't call his name three times, nothing can really happen.

You can find a detailed description in the TERRA.vita Nature and Geopark tour planner.