To the well of the Upper Argen - around Stiefenhofen - Westallgaeu waterway 21

To the mill 'Weißenbachmühle'

First, a short detour is worthwhile to the flood control reservoir in Stiefenhofen. It protects the village from the strongly rising creek during heavy rainfall. From there, the tour passes the distinctive meeting center built of domestic silver fir towards Ranzenried. Here, the view opens onto the mountain range 'Nagelfluhkette' with the 1833 meters high mountain 'Hochgrat'. The hiking tour leads you along the edge of the forest towards the tourist village called 'Wolfsried'. Be carful when crossing the main street at the parking space. Passing three seperately situated farms, the tour goes on to a former mill called 'Weißenbachmühle. Already in 1290, there has been a farm here. The old evidence of a mill at this place can be traced back to the year 1579. Grain was milled to the yer 1876 in the 'Weißenbachmühle'. The saw mill has been active much longer.

Upper Argen
The well of the Upper Argen is also at this place: the confluence of the creeks Tannholzbach and Seelesgraben, Schwarzenbach and Trabersbach (Weißenbach) create the Upper Argen. Since 1854, a railway has forced its way through the narrow valley alongside the creek 'Wildbach'. In former times, there was a meal and saw mill at the end of the valley. In the village Oberthal, there is also a former saw mill. There are still some gang saws driven by hydropower. Green electricity is generated by a small modern hydraulic power station. The Upper Argen meanders between the villages Oberthalhofen and Unterthalhofen through farmed meadows. In Unterthalhofen there is a still intact and active saw mill, where timber is cut. At the same time, two turbines generate electricity from hydropower. Through the village Harbatshofen and the forest 'Burgkristallwald' the tour takes you back to Stiefenhofen.