One of the most scenic areas, peppered with interesting sights; a tour between the recreational area of Höpen and the central areas of Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve.
Anyone who thinks of Lüneburg Heath has a flat landscape in mind, a purple idyll with individual juniper bushes in the midst of untouched nature. But one must not forget the secret landmark of the landscape in the heart of Lower Saxony, Wilseder Berg, at 169 m the highest elevation of Lüneburg Heath. The mountain is worth anytime, not only in bright sunshine when the weather allows a glimpse of the Hamburg TV tower. And that's exactly where our 31-kilometre cycle tour through the heathland, woods and forest leads you.
We start in the heathland blossom town of Schneverdingen, a pretty town with 19,000 inhabitants, where life is still unspoilt and tranquil. Follow Schulstraße, past Schneverdingen Town Hall with the fabulous town fountain and turn right at the end of the street towards Höpen. Here you will find the unique heather garden, a heather circle with over 180 different varieties and about 150,000 plants, which is designed so that the viewer finds heather flowering there in every season.
In Höpen Nature Reserve, which borders the north of the town, you can find some of the most beautiful heathlands, which are completely accessible through cycling and walking trails for recreation seekers. From many parts of the Höpenberg there are far-reaching views all the way to Wilseder Berg. On the edge, at the car park by the main road, you will find a kiosk with public toilets.
Leave the sheepfold to the left of the path, cross local road 171 and follow the path along the railway line through Osterheide to the main road 3 in Barrl. Here is the first opportunity to stop, because right on the main road is a popular restaurant with a varied menu.
Follow the main road 3 only a short distance until you reach a path on the right side of the cycle path that takes you through the state forest to Ehrhorn. Here a few years ago, the Forest Experience Centre was established, which brings its visitors closer to the history of the forest, heathland, and their inhabitants.
After a shorter section on the minor road, the route leads us past Einem forest estate.
From here the route then leads directly to the destination – Wilseder Berg. With good visibility you can look far into the country over the large heathland areas. The orientation panel on the Gauss stone gives you the feeling of being at the centre of the world. Right at the foot of the hill is the heath village of Wilsede. This village is the centre of the 23,000-hectare Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere of yesteryear and be transported back to the last century. Instead of cars, horses, carriages, and bicycles provide pure relaxation. The museum has a lot of information waiting for you. If you want to take a rest, take a snack in the diary with its self-service.
Via Niederhaverbeck and past Wümmeberg we go back towards Schneverdingen through the forest. South of us lies Spitzbubenweg. Here you can experience a haunted path, bordered by towering trees. This natural route is for cyclists, but in poor weather conditions it is difficult. After crossing the main road and following the road south, after 100 metres on the side of the main road you will find a huge boulder with an inscription and individual runes. At this point, the heath poet Hermann Löns is said to have been buried for a short time, before his body found its final resting place in Tietlinger juniper grove, Fallingbostel. The path leads you on the edge of the natural dry valley "Möhrengrund", at the end of which you reach the "Silvestersee". This is artificially dammed and was designed to prevent erosion damage during earlier military use of adjacent land. Today it is an ecological gem and the only open water in the vicinity.
Now follow the path to the right towards Schneverdingen and you will come to the end of your bike tour.