Watermill route around Epen

On the rolling Plateau of Crapoel grows a green sea of trees. The Plateau of Crapoel, also called the Plateau of Eperheide, was formed when the rivers and streams in the area eroded the slopes. This created a rolling plain, which slowly slopes northwards from the Gulperberg. Heijenrath lies to the southwest; adjacent to it in the southeast you will find Eperheide. Eperheide is formed by about sixty farms. The hamlet consists of about 150 people, of which the first inhabitants planted the dry heathlands with conifers: larches and Norway spruces. In 1995, an open space of 1 hectare was created when a storm and an insect plague took hold of nature. Here, heather bushes started to grow again. A flock of sheep grazes on the heath, and expanded it by another hectare. The entire eastern edge of the plateau is covered with trees from the Schweibergerbos. This sloping forest contains various cultural-historical elements. An old gravel farm lies between the trees, but there is also a hardstone cross with corpus hidden between the trees. This monument was erected in memory of five fallen British soldiers. The bomber in which they flew crashed in this forest during the Second World War. The names of the five brave fallen soldiers can be read on the plaque. The cycle tour takes you to various beautiful water mills, such as the Onderste Molen. The original historic mill was built in 1215. At that time, the building was still called the Commander's Mill. Later, after a restoration, the mill was renamed the' Onderste molen\\\'. The Onderste Molen is a corn mill and ground on the Geul, but it was later also used to generate electricity. The mill was made fully operational again with a restoration in 2005 and is now operated on a voluntary basis. The Neubourgermolen was built on the river Gulp in 1712. This mill, which is located in Gulpen, was also called the Molen van Roex. The medium-speed water mill ground clothing into pulp until 1840, with the exception of the period 1809-1816. Paper was made from this by hand. In 1853, the mill was converted into a grain mill, in which a turbine with iron gear was installed in 1907. Further modernization was carried out in 1930, when an electric motor was installed in the mill. In 2013, the Neubourgermolen is on the list of national monuments. A cozy restaurant and pancake house are located in the mill. Groenendael Castle is a beautiful castle that was mainly used for agricultural purposes. The original moated building was built in 1775, but that fortified house was demolished in 1921. A new castle was built on the foundations, incorporating remains of the old walls. Originally, the Groenendaalsmolen, which is also powered by the water of the Gulp, belonged to the house. The year the watermill was built is unknown. In 1966, the mill was converted into a home and lost its function as a corn mill. You can park your car for free at Camping and Restaurant Rozenhof. Enjoying Burgundian food starts here among the Limburg hills. Pitch your tent or caravan on the cozy campsite or rent one of the cozy cottages. Panoramic views, an atmospheric restaurant, a rustic bar, coziness on the terrace and a second route that starts from this location (134338) make this campsite a great place to spend the night.