Run of the mill(s)

Sometimes I forget how privileged I am to live in this area. On a 5K run today, I went past three historic mills. One of them, Nymølle, was built in 1634, according to the date on the building. Ironically enough, its name means ‘New Mill’, and it is the youngest mill on the stream.

Today’s run more about getting out there than it was challenging myself – or better said, the challenge of today’s run was just getting out there, so I promised myself a short trip.

I am running in race on Wednesday, so I wanted to get out and stretch my legs before then, but not tire myself out too much The race on Wednesday is one of those ones where you decide along the way if you want to stop after 5 or 10k – if you plan on running 10 and are hurting after the first five, the temptation to call it quits can be mind boggling. Fortunately, I only plan on running 5.

This one could have included several more mills, but this was what I did today. Some day when I grow up, I see if I can run to them all.

Run of the mill(s)

Take the path through the forest to the bridge. Cross over and head towards Ørholm (mill #1) – built in 1558 and formerly a gunpowder and paper mill, now a pumping station. Continue along the path until it is intersected by a road. Turn left. Mill #2, Nymølle, was a copper mill and also produced paper. From 1938 until 1974 they dyed cloth there. (I am sure there is a specific term for such a place, I just don’t know it.) Today, there is an architect’s office and classrooms there.

Head into the woods and take a left, back towards Ørholm. Cross over the road and keep on the same side of the stream until you reach Brede (mill #3), which only dates back to the 1700s, but there have reportedly been mills here since the middle ages.

Cross the tracks and make the final climb back home.

If you don’t feel up to taking on Brede Bakke, you can run this route in the opposite direction. It’s a round trip, you wind up at the same altitude anyway. It just doesn’t seem quite so rough.