Top 5 Caves around Bad Nenndorf

Historic tunnel with a small rest area (table, bench).

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.

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 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

Mining history to experience and touch

The Egestorfer Stollen is a listed former mining tunnel in the Deister near Barsinghausen's Egestorf district in the Hanover region. The Egestorfer tunnel was driven from May 1874 in order to reach further, deeper-lying coal deposits. The mining rights for the area had already been auctioned in 1854 for 30,717 thalers by the mining administration. At the mouth of the Stockbach, an area first had to be leveled for the necessary operating buildings. After driving 608 m in 1876, a 50 to 63 cm thick seam was developed. The coal was eventually transported from the 720 m long tunnel over a braking hill and with the help of horses over 1.2 km to a loading track on the Deisterbahn, which opened in 1872, and transported away by train. In 1877, 273 miners were employed in the Egestorfer tunnel. The output rose to 45,272 t by 1883/84 and remained at this level until 1897, when it fell due to exhaustion of the reserves and the output was stopped for the time being on November 1, 1898 after a total of 1.3 million tons of coal had been mined. The Egestorfer tunnel was also used to ventilate the monastery tunnel, for which there had been a breakthrough since 1882. In the years 1914/15 to 1920/21, coal was once again mined in quantities of 50 to 80 tons annually via the Egestorfer tunnel. In 1983, the plan to expand the easily accessible Egestorfer tunnel into a visitor mine failed because bats had settled here in the meantime. Instead, the Barsinghausen monastery tunnel became a visitor mine. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egestorfer_Stollen

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 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

Nice quiet place where you can always rest 😉