Discover Hinte: Mill, moated castle and trails

During a stay in Hinte, you can focus on the history of mills, architectural and art history, or a cycling or hiking route. The mill and moated castle differ not only in their history, but also in the conditions for visiting: visits to the mill require advance registration, while the moated castle can only be viewed from the outside. If you are looking for a hotel in Hinte, this overview can help you weigh up your interests for your stay.

The mill in Hinte: building and visitor offerings

The mill in Hinte is a three-storey gallery Dutch windmill, built in 1869. The art gallery and Frisian Room can be opened by prior arrangement; mill tours also require advance registration. If you plan to take part in one of these activities, arrange your visit before travelling. The mill’s former use is also part of its history: following its restoration from 1992 to 1997, the tourist information centre was established on the ground floor.

Moated castle: viewing from the outside

The moated castle in Hinte was built in 1438 on the remains of Osterburg and has retained the character of an East Frisian chieftain’s castle to this day. It is privately owned and inhabited, so it can only be viewed from the outside. Check local visitor information before your trip. At this destination, the building’s history goes hand in hand with a clear restriction on access: plan to view it from the outside.

Late Gothic church and furnishings

The church in Hinte is a hall church with a polygonal choir, built in the late 15th or early 16th century. It is one of the few Late Gothic churches in East Frisia. The choir preserves remnants of Late Gothic floral murals, including a depiction of Christ as Judge of the World, created around 1500. The church also has a chalice-shaped sandstone baptismal font dating from 1569. The church brings together features of its architectural design, Late Gothic murals and a furnishing with a precise date.

Cycling tour and hiking route

The cycling tour “Across the Groote Meer to Emden” starts in Hinte at the windmill. The Nünepad is a hiking route along the Knockster Tief to Suurhusen and through the countryside around Hinte. The two routes differ both in how you travel and in how they are described: the starting point at the mill is specified for the cycling tour, while the Nünepad is described as a route to Suurhusen. The windmill is therefore both a historic building and the starting point for the cycling tour.

A complementary look at the wider destination of Aurich

In the wider destination of Aurich, the Fehntjer Tief nature conservation station is an off-campus learning centre for environmental education, as well as a place for community activities and public outreach. It works to preserve the natural and cultural landscape of “Fehntjer Tief.” In spring and summer, students and visitors can experience the plant and bird life of the wet meadows on foot or by bicycle. The listed Gulfhaus at the nature conservation station is a typical East Frisian farmhouse dating from 1843. Alongside Hinte’s architectural and church history, this regional focus brings a distinct emphasis on landscape, environmental education and seasonal nature experiences.

Discover more destinations: Suurhusen, Loppersum, Aurich, Krummhörn, Wrisse, Leezdorf, Berumbur, Hagermarsch.

Back to the wider travel overview: Aurich.