--- title: "NORDPFAD Riepholm-Gilkenheide" url: "https://www.niedersachsen-tourism.com/tour/nordpfad-riepholm-gilkenheide" description: "The NORDPFAD is characterized by the interplay of light and shadow. Vast fields alternate repeatedly with dense forests. The silence that accompanies you on this hike through the gently rolling Geest landscape persists even in the tranquil villages of Delventhal and Riepholm." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" breadcrumb: "Root > Home > Special > Destination.Data Details > Tour" --- GPX Share NORDPFAD Riepholm-Gilkenheide ============================== - 10.69 km long - Round trip - Difficulty: easy - Condition: medium - Hiking trail - Walking / hiking - Nordic walking - 2:38 h - 10.69 km - 37 m - 39 m - 63 m - 89 m - 26 m - - Start: 27374 Visselhövede, parking lot of former discounter, Feldstr. 4-6 (starting point S1) - Destination: 27374 Visselhövede, parking lot of former discounter, Feldstr. 4-6 (starting point S1) **Take a deep breath, unwind, and recharge** --------------------------------------------- The NORDPFAD is characterized by the interplay of light and shadow. Vast fields alternate repeatedly with dense forests. The silence that accompanies you on this hike through the gently rolling Geest landscape persists even in the tranquil villages of Delventhal and Riepholm. Read more Good to know ------------ Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec 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 fields to the actual loop trail. The same access path also leads back to the starting point. This should be taken into account when planning a hike starting from Visselhövede. Once we reach the circular hiking trail, we follow it clockwise, hiking through meadows and along the edge of a forest. A short time later, we take the small turnoff to the right toward the settlement **Delventhal** and, shortly thereafter, enter a private forest characterized by the dense canopy of large beech trees. The trail leads past the idyllic isolated farmsteads of Delventhal and continues along the edge of the forest on closely mowed “English-style lawns” until it reaches the K 208. We cross the K 208 and enter the forested area of **Gilkenheide.** Today, nothing remains of the former, expansive heathland; instead, fields, meadows, and forests define the landscape. The former heathlands were deeply plowed with a steam plow in 1911 and 1912 to create farmland and space for reforestation. Upon reaching the edge of the forest, we turn right onto the path. Somewhat hidden, about 50 meters further on, lie the **Gilkenheide burial mounds** from the Bronze Age, completely concealed on the right side of the forest. From here, the nature trail runs along the edge of the forest through expansive farmland all the way to **Riepholm**. Just before crossing the railroad tracks, the is an interesting stop. Here, the cultivation of climate-adapted crops is being tested. An educational trail with information panels provides details about the project and the varieties grown there. After the detour, we cross the railroad tracks and follow the path to the picturesque , 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 in the orchard meadow in the background. During the summer months, fresh fruit is often available for purchase and consumption at the self-service farm stand by the road. We continue our hike along a road that is paved at first, walking through the **agricultural region of Gilkenheid**. After about 1.4 km, we cross a small river. For about 18 km, the **Warnau**—also known here as the Schneebach—winds its way from its source in Behningen to Walsrode. There, it flows into the Böhme, a tributary of the Aller. Leaving the **Warnau** behind us, we enter the forested part of the Gilkenheide. On the sandy, former horse-drawn carriage postal route, you can enjoy the shady coniferous forest in all its glory. Along the way, we also pass a **blueberry plantation** owned by the Wilkens family, who run the Riepholmer Hof Wilkens of the same name. During harvest season, visitors can pick their own berries or purchase them. After about 1.5 km through the forest—which can be quite damp in some areas during the winter months—we turn right and hike through expansive meadows and fields. Once again, the small meadow stream **Warnau** crosses our path until, shortly thereafter, we reach **Ottingen**, where the occasional NORDPFADE.Bank stands along the trail. This small village was first mentioned in 937; it belonged to the Walsrode Monastery for a long time and was assigned to the parish of Visselhövede in 1717. The village is also home to a small , where you can purchase regional products as well as beverages and various snacks. From Ottingen, we hike through a gently rolling geest landscape, enjoying spectacular panoramic views along the way. After crossing the railroad tracks a second time and reaching the edge of the forest via a sandy path, we’re enchanted by a small forest trail that leads us partly through a dense mixed forest. Finally, we return to the intersection. There, we take the 1.9 km-long side trail to **Visselhövede**. The small town offers a variety of places to stop for refreshments and shopping. For those who haven’t had enough of hiking yet, the offers another lovely loop to round out the day. **Short 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 Farm Wilkens** in Riepholm counterclockwise, first to the **Gilkenheide burial mounds**, from there to the **Delventhal Farm** , and finally **toward Ottingen**. Before reaching the railroad tracks, however, turn left, take the “alternative route” indicated on a signpost, and follow the **Riepholm Model Farm Nature Trail** heading west. At the end of the nature trail, we turn right, cross the tracks, and hike back to the starting point, the **Wilkens Bioland Farm in Riepholm** .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       **Important Information on Distances and Walking Times** - **NORDPFAD + Access Path from NP-Markt (round trip):** 14.6 km / approx. 5 hrs. - **NORDPFAD from Riepholm:** 10.8 km /  approx. 3 1/2 hrs. - **Short North Variant**: 6 km / approx. 2 hours. **Trail Closure Notices** Before your hike, you should check  to check for possible detours and trail disruptions that may occur due to flooding, storm damage, or forestry work. Read more 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. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Getting there**From the A7 or A27 highways, it takes about 20–30 minutes to reach the starting points, each of which has an information sign and parking available. - **Starting Point 1** as the access route to the NORDPFAD, 27374 Visselhövede: Parking lot of the former discount store, Feldstraße 4–6, 1.9 km from the NORDPFAD - **Starting Point 2**: 27374 Riepholm, Hof Wilkens, Riepholm Read more **Parking**There are two parking options available along the NORDPFAD. The respective starting points can also be found there. - **Parking Lot 1**: 27374 Visselhövede: Parking lot at the former discount store, Feldstraße 4–6, 1.9 km from the NORDPFAD - **Parking Lot 2**: 27374 Riepholm, Hof Wilkens, Riepholm 3 Read more **Public transportation**Anreise mit der Bahn - **Bahnhof**: Visselhövede, etwa 2 km vom Startpunkt 1 des NORDPFADES entfernt - **Bahn „erixx"**: verkehrt täglich zwischen Bremen und Soltau - **Infos**: 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**: Read more Additional information **Komoot** In der bekannten Outdoor-App haben wir alle 24 Rundwanderwege in einer eigenen 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  oder unter dem Link  eingelöst werden. Read more Literature The following brochures are available free of charge at local tourist information offices and at  . They are also available for download there.  - **NORDPFADE Tour Guide** This small brochure contains everything you need to know about the hiking region. - **NORDPFADE Overview Map** This handy fold-out leaflet serves as a basic planning guide for the environmentally conscious. - **NORDPFADE Hiking Pass** The stamp-free version for collectors. There is also a paperback published by has published. An entertainingly written “hiking guide” by Lucia Gefken, who escapes her everyday life and takes up hiking. - **My NORDPFADE**  Or: *"It doesn't always have to be the Camino de Santiago!"* Read more 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 Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Tours 223.00 km - Walking / hiking 223.00 km - Walking / hiking 6.30 km - Walking / hiking Contact **Stadt Visselhövede - Ihr Kontakt vor Ort** Marktplatz 2 27374 Visselhövede Download GPX file - -