NORDPFAD Riepholm-Gilkenheide
The NORDPFAD is characterized by the interplay of light and shadow. Extensive fields alternate time and again with dense forests. The tranquillity that accompanies you on this hike through the gently undulating Geest landscape is also preserved in the tranquil villages of Delventhal and Riepholm.
Good to know
Best to visit
suitable
Depends on weather
Directions
We start our hike in Visselhövede, at the parking lot of a former discount store. A 1.9 km long, sandy access path leads through the Feldmark to the actual circular hiking trail. The same access path also leads back to the starting point. This should be taken into account when planning the route from Visselhövede.
On reaching the circular hiking trail, we follow it clockwise and hike through grassland and along a forest. A short time later, we take the small turn-off to the right to the settlement of Delventhal and shortly afterwards enter the private forest characterized by the dense canopy of large beech trees. The path leads past the idyllic individual farms of Delventhal and continues along the edge of the forest on short-cut "English greenery" to the K 208.
We pass the K 208 and enter the wooded area of Gilkenheide. Today, there is nothing left of the former and extensive heathland; instead, fields, meadows and forests dominate the landscape. In 1911 and 1912, the former heathland was deeply plowed up with a steam plough to create farmland and space for reforestation.
On reaching the edge of the forest, turn right onto the path. The Gilkenheide burial mounds from the Bronze Age are somewhat hidden in the forest on the right after about 50 meters. From here, the natural path runs along the edge of the forest through extensive farmland to Riepholm. Shortly before crossing the railroad tracks, the Riepholm model fieldoffers an interesting detour. The cultivation of climate-adapted arable plants is tested here. An educational trail with information boards provides information about the project and the varieties grown there.
After the detour, we cross the railroad tracks and follow the path to the picturesque Bioland-Hof Wilkens, the starting point 2 of this NORDPFAD. A rest area with a shelter in front of the farm invites you to take a break, while goats and sheep graze on the orchard meadow in the background. In the summer months, fresh fruit can always be bought and eaten in the self-service farm store by the road.
We continue our hike on an initially asphalted road and walk through the agricultural Gilkenheide. After about 1.4 km, we cross a small river. The Warnau, also known here as the Schneebach, meanders for around 18 km from its source in Behningen to Walsrode. There it flows into the Böhme, a tributary of the Aller.
Leaving the Warnau behind us, we reach the wooded part of the Gilkenheide. On the sandy, former horse-drawn carriage path, you can enjoy the shady coniferous forest with all its facets. We also pass a blueberry plantation belonging to the Wilkens family, owners of the Wilkens farm of the same name in Riepholm. At harvest time, it is possible to pick and buy the berries yourself.
After approx. 1.5 km through the forest, which can be very damp in the winter months, we turn right and walk through extensive meadows and fields. The small meadow river Warnau crosses our path once again until we reach Ottingen shortly afterwards, where there are one or two NORDPFADE.benches along the way. The small village was first mentioned in 937, belonged to the Walsrode monastery for a long time and became part of the parish of Visselhövede in 1717. There is also a small SB farm store run by the Grünhagen family in the village, where you can buy regional products as well as drinks and various snacks.
From Ottingen, we hike through a slightly hilly Geest landscape and enjoy special views along the way. After crossing the railroad tracks a second time and reaching the edge of the forest via a sandy path, we are enchanted by a small forest path that leads us partly through a dense mixed forest. Finally, we return to the crossroads. There we take the 1.9 km long turn-off to Visselhövede. The small town offers various places to stop for refreshments and shopping. If you haven't hiked enough, the Visselseen Citizens' Park offers a nice final loop.
Small loop option (6 km - approx. 2.0 hours).)
This varied 6 km family tour covers the northern part of the NORDPFAD and leads from the Bioland-Hof Wilkens in Riepholm in an anti-clockwise direction, first to the Grab Hills Gilkenheide, from there to Hof Delventhal and finally in the direction of Ottingen.
Before the railroad tracks, however, turn left via the "variant" indicated on a signpost and head west along the Riepholmer Modell-Acker educational trail. At the end of the nature trail, turn right, cross the tracks and walk back to the starting point, the Riepholmer Bioland-Hof Wilkens.
Important information on lengths and walking times
Disturbance reports
Before your hike, you should check www.nordpfade.de to find out about possible detour and trail disruptions that may occur, for example due to flooding, storm damage or forestry work.
On reaching the circular hiking trail, we follow it clockwise and hike through grassland and along a forest. A short time later, we take the small turn-off to the right to the settlement of Delventhal and shortly afterwards enter the private forest characterized by the dense canopy of large beech trees. The path leads past the idyllic individual farms of Delventhal and continues along the edge of the forest on short-cut "English greenery" to the K 208.
We pass the K 208 and enter the wooded area of Gilkenheide. Today, there is nothing left of the former and extensive heathland; instead, fields, meadows and forests dominate the landscape. In 1911 and 1912, the former heathland was deeply plowed up with a steam plough to create farmland and space for reforestation.
On reaching the edge of the forest, turn right onto the path. The Gilkenheide burial mounds from the Bronze Age are somewhat hidden in the forest on the right after about 50 meters. From here, the natural path runs along the edge of the forest through extensive farmland to Riepholm. Shortly before crossing the railroad tracks, the Riepholm model fieldoffers an interesting detour. The cultivation of climate-adapted arable plants is tested here. An educational trail with information boards provides information about the project and the varieties grown there.
After the detour, we cross the railroad tracks and follow the path to the picturesque Bioland-Hof Wilkens, the starting point 2 of this NORDPFAD. A rest area with a shelter in front of the farm invites you to take a break, while goats and sheep graze on the orchard meadow in the background. In the summer months, fresh fruit can always be bought and eaten in the self-service farm store by the road.
We continue our hike on an initially asphalted road and walk through the agricultural Gilkenheide. After about 1.4 km, we cross a small river. The Warnau, also known here as the Schneebach, meanders for around 18 km from its source in Behningen to Walsrode. There it flows into the Böhme, a tributary of the Aller.
Leaving the Warnau behind us, we reach the wooded part of the Gilkenheide. On the sandy, former horse-drawn carriage path, you can enjoy the shady coniferous forest with all its facets. We also pass a blueberry plantation belonging to the Wilkens family, owners of the Wilkens farm of the same name in Riepholm. At harvest time, it is possible to pick and buy the berries yourself.
After approx. 1.5 km through the forest, which can be very damp in the winter months, we turn right and walk through extensive meadows and fields. The small meadow river Warnau crosses our path once again until we reach Ottingen shortly afterwards, where there are one or two NORDPFADE.benches along the way. The small village was first mentioned in 937, belonged to the Walsrode monastery for a long time and became part of the parish of Visselhövede in 1717. There is also a small SB farm store run by the Grünhagen family in the village, where you can buy regional products as well as drinks and various snacks.
From Ottingen, we hike through a slightly hilly Geest landscape and enjoy special views along the way. After crossing the railroad tracks a second time and reaching the edge of the forest via a sandy path, we are enchanted by a small forest path that leads us partly through a dense mixed forest. Finally, we return to the crossroads. There we take the 1.9 km long turn-off to Visselhövede. The small town offers various places to stop for refreshments and shopping. If you haven't hiked enough, the Visselseen Citizens' Park offers a nice final loop.
Small loop option (6 km - approx. 2.0 hours).)
This varied 6 km family tour covers the northern part of the NORDPFAD and leads from the Bioland-Hof Wilkens in Riepholm in an anti-clockwise direction, first to the Grab Hills Gilkenheide, from there to Hof Delventhal and finally in the direction of Ottingen.
Before the railroad tracks, however, turn left via the "variant" indicated on a signpost and head west along the Riepholmer Modell-Acker educational trail. At the end of the nature trail, turn right, cross the tracks and walk back to the starting point, the Riepholmer Bioland-Hof Wilkens.
Important information on lengths and walking times
- NORDPFAD + access route from NP-Markt (there + back): 14.6 km / approx. 5 hrs.
- NORTH PATH from Riepholm: 10.8 km / approx. 3 1/2 hrs.
- Short north variant: 6 km / approx. 2 hrs.
Disturbance reports
Before your hike, you should check www.nordpfade.de to find out about possible detour and trail disruptions that may occur, for example due to flooding, storm damage or forestry work.
Route markings
Markierungszeichen
Das Markierungszeichen zeigt ein weißes „N“ auf orangem Grund mit dem Namen des NORDPFADES Riepholm-Gilkenheide.
Beschilderung
Zielwegweiser ergänzen die Markierung und sind an markanten Stellen platziert. Auf den Wegweisern sind Orte aufgeführt, die sich auf der Strecke befinden oder von dort abzweigen, samt den Entfernungskilometern. Unterhalb befindet sich das Logo des jeweiligen NORDPFADES.
Das Markierungszeichen zeigt ein weißes „N“ auf orangem Grund mit dem Namen des NORDPFADES Riepholm-Gilkenheide.
Beschilderung
Zielwegweiser ergänzen die Markierung und sind an markanten Stellen platziert. Auf den Wegweisern sind Orte aufgeführt, die sich auf der Strecke befinden oder von dort abzweigen, samt den Entfernungskilometern. Unterhalb befindet sich das Logo des jeweiligen NORDPFADES.
Directions & Parking facilities
It is around 20-30 minutes from the A7 and A27 highways to the starting points, each of which has an information board and parking facilities.
- Starting point 1 as an access route to the NORDPFAD, 27374 Visselhövede: Parking lot of a former discount store, Feldstraße 4-6, 1.9 km from the NORDPFAD
- Starting point 2: 27374 Riepholm, Hof Wilkens, Riepholm
Two parking facilities are available at the NORDPFAD. The respective starting points can also be found there.
- Parking lot 1: 27374 Visselhövede: Parking lot of a former discounter, Feldstraße 4-6, 1.9 km from the NORDPFAD
- Parking lot 2: 27374 Riepholm, Hof Wilkens, Riepholm 3
Anreise mit der Bahn
Anreise mit dem Bus
Bushaltestelle: Visselhövede, Markt, etwa 600 m vom Startpunkt 1 des NORDPFADES entfernt
Buslinie 880: verkehrt Mo.-Fr. zwischen Rotenburg und Visselhövede, in Rotenburg (Wümme) besteht Bahnanschluss nach Hamburg und Bremen
Infos: www.fahrplaner.vnn.de
- Bahnhof: Visselhövede, etwa 2 km vom Startpunkt 1 des NORDPFADES entfernt
- Bahn „erixx": verkehrt täglich zwischen Bremen und Soltau
- Infos: www.erixx.de
Anreise mit dem Bus
Bushaltestelle: Visselhövede, Markt, etwa 600 m vom Startpunkt 1 des NORDPFADES entfernt
Buslinie 880: verkehrt Mo.-Fr. zwischen Rotenburg und Visselhövede, in Rotenburg (Wümme) besteht Bahnanschluss nach Hamburg und Bremen
Infos: www.fahrplaner.vnn.de
Additional information
Komoot
In der bekannten Outdoor-App haben wir alle 24 Rundwanderwege in einer eigenen NORDPFADE-Collection zusammengestellt. Die Touren sind auch im Portal unter der Region "Nördliche Heide" zu finden.
Noch nicht auf Komoot?
Für Neukunden gibt es einen kostenfreien Gutschein-Code. Der Code lautet ROW und kann über "Gutscheinn einlösen" auf komoot.de/g oder unter dem Link https://komoot.com/de-de/g?code=ROW eingelöst werden.
In der bekannten Outdoor-App haben wir alle 24 Rundwanderwege in einer eigenen NORDPFADE-Collection zusammengestellt. Die Touren sind auch im Portal unter der Region "Nördliche Heide" zu finden.
Noch nicht auf Komoot?
Für Neukunden gibt es einen kostenfreien Gutschein-Code. Der Code lautet ROW und kann über "Gutscheinn einlösen" auf komoot.de/g oder unter dem Link https://komoot.com/de-de/g?code=ROW eingelöst werden.
Literature
Die folgenden Prospekte sind kostenfrei in den örtlichen Touristinfos und unter Prospektbestellung erhältlich. Dort stehen sie auch als Download zur Verfügung.
- NORDPFADE-Tourenbegleiter
Die kleine Broschüre enthält alles Wissenswerte zur Wanderregion. - NORDPFADE-Übersichtskarte
Das handliche Faltblatt ist die kleine Planungsgrundlage für Umweltbewusste. - NORDPFADE-Wanderpass
Die stempelfreie Variante für Sammler.
- Meine NORDPFADE
Oder: "Es muss ja nicht immer der Jakobsweg sein!"
Contact person
Touristikverband Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme) e.V.
- Ihr Ansprechpartner für die NORDPFADE und die Region
Harburger Straße 59
27356 Rotenburg (Wümme)
License (master data)
Touristikverband Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)
Social Media
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