At Melle-Gesmold, the Hase splits into two branches: one continues towards the Ems and the North Sea, while the other—the Else—flows via the Weser to the North Sea. So at the bifurcation, two rivers do not meet; instead, one river branches into different drainage routes. This makes the site a special starting point if you’d like to learn more about the landscape and the paths taken by the water.
Bifurcation: Cycling Routes, Guided Tours and Nature
Cyclists can reach the bifurcation directly via the Else-Werre Cycle Route or the Hase-Ems Tour. Historical tours, nature tours and pond-dipping excursions can be booked at the environmental education centre. Which of these activities interests you depends on whether you’d like to explore the site from a historical perspective, focus on nature or go pond-dipping. Check the availability of each activity before your trip.
The Green Classroom invites school groups to learn outdoors, right in nature. Children can go pond-dipping in the Hase and Else and examine freshwater amphipods under a magnifying glass. Once a year, the Bifurcation Day is also held at the site, with activities, guided tours, music and regional offerings. If you’d like to plan your visit around this event, check the date in that year’s programme.
Planet Trail and Observation Tower
The Melle Planet Trail depicts the Sun and the planets, as well as the distances between their orbits, at a scale of 1:1 billion. Its starting point, “Sun”, is at the former youth hostel in Grönenberg Park; the trail ends at the observatory run by the Natural Science Association on Oldendorfer Berg. The route thus combines a depiction of astronomical proportions with clear directions between the start and end points.
Diedrichsburg offers a different view of the surroundings: its 26-metre-high tower, topped with battlements, has an observation platform. On a clear day, the view extends as far as OsnabrĂĽck. Check the current access conditions before your visit.
Museum, Crafts and Mill History
The Grönegau Museum Melle presents former rural ways of life and work in a historic half-timbered ensemble that was relocated here. The ensemble includes a bakehouse, a cottage, a granary and a coach house. It also features a flax-processing scutching mill, as well as fully equipped shoemaker’s, carpenter’s and blacksmith’s workshops. Together, the different areas take you from rural everyday life to individual crafts and the workspaces where they were practised.
The Westhoyeler Wallholländer windmill also offers a tangible connection to the region’s milling history: farmer Mölk had it built in 1870. By arrangement, milling and baking days are held there from April to September on the fourth Sunday of each month. The programme includes milling demonstrations, mill tours and baking in the traditional bakehouse. It illustrates the journey from grain to bread; bread and cakes are baked in the bakehouse. Arrange your visit and check the current annual programme in advance.
Melle’s attractions focus on different themes: the bifurcation centres on river courses and nature, the Planet Trail explores the Sun, planets and the distances between their orbits, while the museum and mill reveal rural ways of life and work. You can choose what to visit based on the subject that interests you most on your trip.
Discover more travel destinations: Alfhausen, Glandorf, EggermĂĽhlen, Bad Laer, OsnabrĂĽck, FĂĽrstenau, Bohmte, Hesepe.
Back to the main travel overview: OsnabrĂĽck.
