Top 9 Caves in the Deister

The Bärenhöhle forest inn is idyllically situated in the Deister hills near Egestorf (Barsinghausen) and is a popular destination for hikers and day-trippers. Surrounded by ancient beech trees, it offers a cozy atmosphere with a rustic dining room, a conservatory, and a large beer garden nestled in the greenery. The kitchen combines regional and seasonal dishes – from game and asparagus specialties to the popular schnitzel day. Breakfast is served in the mornings, and on weekends a generous buffet featuring regional products and homemade jams is offered. Thanks to its proximity to the Egestorf S-Bahn station, the Bärenhöhle is easily accessible and perfect for a break after a hike. Whether for a family outing, a celebration, or a casual get-together – here, good food meets genuine Deister idyll.

a piece of mining history with a very informative panel in front of the tunnel

Named after the farm owner Giesecke. "It earned its name in the presence of a minister who was present to settle a dispute by approaching the minister from among those present and giving all the necessary information about the regulation. This resulted in the minister immediately agreeing to the proposals." The tunnel was opened in 1845 and operated until 1875. In 1864, 21,800 tonnes of coal were produced. A railway line was built from the tunnel entrance in 1860, which took the coal to Rehrbrinkstrasse. The line was in operation until 1896. Today, not much of this factory can be seen, but in the seating grotto you can meditate a little on the meaning of life, like the miners did back then. Source: https://www.barsinghausen.de/regional/touren/erlebnistour-2-bullerbachtal-903000002-20002.html?title=erlebnistour+2+-+Bullerbachtal

The information board is very well done and provides you with some information about the tunnel here and the coal mining in the Deister. On the other side of the path you can walk a bit along the spoil heap. The stream that carries the water from the old tunnel also runs along there.

The first mention of a coal seam can be found in 1738. Excavation only began on October 31, 1831. After 103 meters, mining could begin in 1832. The mined coal was used to supply local industrial plants and as domestic fuel and forge coal. In 1862, the Feggendorfer tunnel was penetrated by a direct connection to the Hohenbostel tunnel. The natural air circulation created by the approximately 100 m difference in height between the two mouths was used for ventilation. Annual production rose from 840 t to 1600 t and finally fell to 540 t. In 1879, the mine was closed for economic reasons, but was maintained to ventilate the Hohenbostel tunnel until 1895, when it was closed. In 1917, the last year of the First World War, the tunnel was reopened and expanded after a 40-year break due to the poor supply situation. In 1921, 139 men mined 80 to 90 tons per day. The mine was officially closed in 1947, but continued to be used on a small scale until 1952. In that year, all still usable facilities were demolished and the access was blown up. The tracks and the mine cars were used in other Deister mines. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feggendorfer_Stolln

Unfortunately, driving is forbidden because it is not a trail

Coal was dug in the Mögebier tunnel. The mouth hole is still visible today and the studs are being restored today www.moegebierstollen.de/?link=home

On November 20, 1919, the Friedrichshall potash works acquired the mining rights at the Upper and Lower Deistersollen and began operations in the same year. A railway was built from the lower Deister gallery to the Wennigser Waldkater. Since the funding was too low, Friedrichshall also acquired the rights to the Egestorffsche pits at thelee brink in order to develop the mining area between the two mines. Since it was uneconomical, the entire operation was shut down in September 1924. From the Wennigser miner Heinrich Nonnenkamp, called "Mögebier", the vernacular transferred the nickname to the Lower Deisterstollen and made it the "Mögebierstollen". The tunnel, which was excavated from 1874 with a door frame extension, reached a length of 225m. After the Friedrichshall period of operation from 1919-1924, the mouth hole quickly fell into disrepair, but the memory of the lower Deister tunnel, the "Mögebier tunnel" remained alive. Source: http://www.moegebierstollen.de/?link=historical