NORDPFAD Osterberg

The NORDPFAD begins at the Osterberg, a 58 m high elevation to the east of Fintel. From here, we follow the path in a northerly direction and turn right at the next crossroads onto the field path. At this point, there is a turn-off to Fintel on the left and an access path to the NORDPFAD Haxloher Erde.

We walk along natural, sometimes sandy paths through the wide fields and meadows of the Fintel valley until we reach the Redderberg road. We turn right and after about 1 km come to a farm, across whose grounds we walk. At the end, we follow the signs to the left until the next T-junction. Here, a 250 m long path branches off toSchafstall Osterheide, which is typical of the region.

As you continue along the main path, it becomes increasingly wooded until you find yourself in the middle of the shady Osterheide forest. At the next forest crossroads, we can take an 800 m detour to Eggersmühlen, where there is a watermill next to a picturesque mill pond. The pond is fed by the small heath river Fintau, which is located in the middle of the Upper Fintau Valley nature reserve. The mill ceased operation in 1950 and can only be viewed from the outside. However, it makes a great photo opportunity at any time of year.

Back in the Osterheide , we continue through this forest to the next fork, turn right and walk out of the forest bit by bit. Now the grassland and farmland stretches out in front of us, offering particularly attractive views. We follow a straight path, accompanied by the birch avenue on the left, through the quiet valley of the Ruschwede.

After approx. 1.5 km, we reach the somewhat hidden Himbergsee lake. A short detour leads to the Himbergsee rest area, a nice place to cool tired feet. The last stage takes us along grassy paths through a small wood before we tackle the ascent of the Osterberg , which can already be seen in the distance. Once at the top, we enjoy the beautiful view of Fintel and the surrounding grassland.

Variants
Short loop (5.7 km): This family tour leads from Osterberg via Redderberg to the Osterheide sheepfold. From there it goes to Himbergsee and back to Osterberg.

Start from the Heimathaus or Eurostrand: This NORDPFAD can also be started at the Heimathaus Fintel(starting point 2), 1.3 km away, or at the Eurostrand Freizeitresort Lüneburger Heide (starting point 3), 3.2 km away. Marked access paths lead from there to the NORDPFAD Osterberg.

Networking with other NORDPFADEN
An approximately 2.8 km long access path leads to the Melkhus Fintel, starting point 1 of the NORDPFAD Haxloher Erde.

Disturbance reports
Before your hike, you should check www.nordpfade.de for information about possible detour and disruptions to the trail, for example due to flooding, storm damage or forestry work.

Marking sign
The marker shows a white "N" on an orange background with the name of the NORDPFAD Osterberg.

Signposting
Destination signposts supplement the markings and are placed at prominent points. The signposts list places that are on the route or branch off from it, together with the distance in kilometers. The logo of the respective NORDPFADES is located underneath.

It is around 30 minutes from the A1 and A27 highways to the starting points, where there is an information board and parking facilities.

• Starting point 1: 27389 Fintel, Osterberg, Am Osterloh
• Starting point 2: 27389 Fintel, Heimathaus, Pferdemarkt 12, approx. 1.3 km from S1 of the NORDPFADES
• Starting point 3: 27389 Fintel, Eurostrand, Bruchweg 11, approx. 3.2 km from the S1 of the NORDPFADES

Three parking facilities are available at the NORDPFAD. The respective starting points can also be found there.

• Parking lot 1: 27389 Fintel, Osterberg, Am Osterloh
• Parking lot 2: 27389 Fintel, Heimathaus, Pferdemarkt 12, approx. 1.3 km from the S1 of the NORDPFAD
• Parking lot 3: 27389 Fintel, Eurostrand, Bruchweg 11, approx. 3.2 km from the S1 of the NORDPFADES

Bus route 871: runs Mon.-Sat. between Rotenburg (Wümme) and Fintel, in Rotenburg there is a rail connection to Hamburg and Bremen
Bus route 873: runs Mon.-Fri. between Lauenbrück and Fintel, in Lauenbrück there is a rail connection to Hamburg and Bremen
NORDPFAD stop: Fintel Gemeinde (bus route 871) and Fintel Am Markt (bus route 873), (approx. 1.6 and 1.5 km from S1 of the NORDPFAD)
Further information: www.fahrplaner.vnn.de

Komoot
We have compiled all 24 circular hiking trails in a separate NORDPFADE collection in the well-known outdoor app. The tours can also be found in the portal under the "Northern Heath" region.

Not yet on Komoot?
There is a free voucher code for new customers.The code is ROW and can be redeemed via "Redeem voucher" atkomoot.de/g or via the link https://komoot.com/de-de/g?code=ROW.

The following brochures are available free of charge at the local tourist information offices and under brochure order. They are also available for download.

• NORDPFADE tour guide
  This small brochure contains everything you need to know about the hiking region.


• NORDPFADE overview map
  The handy leaflet is a small planning aid for the environmentally conscious.
  
  
• NORDPFADE hiking pass
  The stamp-free version for collectors.

There is also a pocket book published by Editon Temmenverlag. An amusingly written "hiking guide" by Lucia Gefken, who escapes her everyday life and starts hiking.

• My NORDPFADE
  Or: "It doesn't always have to be the Way of St. James!"