NORDPFAD Wümmeniederung

NORTH ROUTE from the Rotenburg train station via Fährhof to the Voßberge Nature Reserve

From the Rotenburg train station, with its free parking spaces—where you’ll also find the information board at the taxi stand—a 1.6 km access path leads to the playground in the Ahe. That’s where our loop trail begins.

We leave the paved road and turn right onto the forest path, which takes us through the magnificent Ahe City Forest until we reach the forest road again. We walk past Kattensteertsee, a popular private fishing spot. Gradually, between towering trees and quiet clearings, the view opens up to sweeping, green Wümme meadows, through which the Wümme River, flowing downstream 300 m away, winds its way.

After the railroad bridge, we turn left and reach the art installation “Lauf der Welt” by the artists Sabine and Christian Gedder from Vahlde. This piece depicts a globe in contact with three oak planks, which are intended to symbolize the themes of “becoming, passing away, and re-emerging.” The trail continues along sunny and shady forest paths. In some places, the Wümme River comes within 100 m of the NORDPFAD. In the rustic forest classroom, which was built by the Waffensen Rural Youth as part of the “72-Hour Campaign,” we take a break and let our gaze wander through the “viewing window” onto the lush meadows. 

We continue on to the  artwork “In die Luft gehen” by artist Bernd Hanewinkels. The silver figure on the tall pedestal strides boldly into the void. It symbolizes courage and reaching for the stars. Right next to it stands a comfortable wooden lounger built by teenagers from Rotenburg as part of a project. At a fork in the path, the gnarled “Snake Tree” on the right beckons as a fun photo opportunity. To the left, a short side path leads to the imposing Hassendorfer Wehr industrial monument on the Wümme River.

Back on the main path, we walk past charming weekend cottages. At the next fork, you can take a shortcut toward the Sottrum train station (3.6 km)—we continue on to the Fährhof settlement. We follow the short detour to the Wümme Lock and linger at the small wooden pier. Then we make our way through the settlement, past woods and meadows, to County Road K 205, which we cross carefully. Now we reach the Großer Fährhof. This small settlement with its stud farm is idyllically situated in the woods, between two ponds. We now hike along sandy paths between the Wümme lowlands and the forested Fährhof Nature Reserve. The open landscape opens up.

Shortly thereafter, we reach the fascinating Voßberge Nature Reserve with its now-established shifting dunes. At the next fork in the trail, we follow the 900-meter-long branch that leads us directly to the two-part dune ridge. Here there is sand, sand, and more sand—an unusual sight in the middle of the inland region. If you’d like, take the 1-kilometer-long side trail to Everinghausen to see the modern art installation “Luftdurchlässig” by artist Hans-Jürgen Freytag from Klein Meckelsen. We return to the fork in the trail and hike through the open Wümme lowlands, crisscrossed by ditches, which from here on offer stunning stretches of trail and define the southern route of the NORDPFAD.


SOUTHERN ROUTE from the Voßberge Nature Reserve via Hellwege and Unterstedt to Rotenburg (Wümme)

Soon we reach the wooden bridge at the Wümme bend. A fish pass located there allows fish to migrate unimpeded. Passing a wooden signpost, we walk through the lush meadows along the Wümme. NABU information boards explain the biodiversity along the trail. Later, the meadow trail meets a walking and biking path next to County Road K 205. We turn right, follow the path, and hike to the village of Hellwege. This tranquil village offers good options for stopping for a bite to eat and spending the night.

A short while later, we leave the county road and turn left onto the cattle trail, which leads us through a neighborhood with impressive homes. From here, a side trail also branches off to the Wümme Lock. Another 600-meter-long side trail leads to a historic complex of buildings featuring a bakehouse, granary, and mill. A lovely spot for a break.

The trail continues along the Viehweg, crossing the Ahauser Mühlengraben and another stream. From here on, we hike right through the unique floodplain landscape. Nature lovers will find a rich variety of flora and fauna right on the banks of the Wümme. For example, the otter is native to the Wümme. We pass the Kreienhoop parcelwith a magnificent stand of old trees, and walk past the Hassendorfer Wehr industrial monument , from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the river and the riverbed slide, before we reach the Ahauser Bach . The stream winds its way picturesquely through the landscape conservation area near the Ahauser Mühle.

Our path now winds between the edge of the forest and the Wümme meadows to the Trienenwiese. On the spacious meadow stands a comfortable NORDPFADE sofa, and you’ll encounter a colorful, diverse group of pilgrims. The five wooden sculptures were created by Ahaus-based artist Ragna Reusch. It’s a dreamy spot perfect for relaxing and ideal for taking funny “snapshots.”
The final stage, which is also part of the NORDPFAD Rotenburger Wasserreich trail, takes us back to the county seat via the Sternenweg. A nesting box nature trail set up by NABU runs alongside the hiking trail. After about 1.5 km, we reach the wooden Gothard Bridge and cross the Wümme once more. A sandy beach by the river invites us to linger before we return along the NORDPFAD to the starting point at the playground in the Ahe and continue from there to the Rotenburg train station. 

Connections to Other NORDPFAD Trails
The NORDPFAD runs parallel to the NORDPFAD Rotenburger Wasserreich. Via the "Horstdamme" and through Unterstedt, you’ll eventually reach the NORDPFAD Dör't Moor.

Trail Closures
Before your hike, you should check www.nordpfade.de to find out about possible detours and trail disruptions that may occur due to, for example, flooding, storm damage, or forestry work.

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

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.

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" at komoot.de/g or via the link https://komoot.com/de-de/g?code=ROW.

The following brochures are available free of charge at local tourist information offices and at Brochure Order . 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 brochure serves as a compact planning guide for the environmentally conscious.
  
  
• NORDPFADE Hiking Pass
  The stamp-free version for collectors.

There is also a paperback published by Editon Temmenverlaghas published. An entertaining “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!”

Suggested Itinerary for a Multi-Day Hike
At 32 km, this NORDPFAD is the longest of the NORDPFAD trails, making it ideal for a multi-day hike. For example, you could hike the northern route one day and the southern route the next. You’ll find plenty of nice places to stay in Rotenburg (Wümme), Waffensen, Sottrum, Hellwege, and Unterstedt, as well as in Hassendorf, Everinghausen, and Ahausen.

• Northern Route (approx. 18 km, approx. 6 hours): The Northern Route leads from the train station in Rotenburg (Wümme) via the Großer Fährhof and the Vossberge Nature Reserve to Everinghausen.
• Southern Route (approx. 19 km, approx. 6.5 hours): The Southern Route leads from Everinghausen through the Vossberge Nature Reserve and Hellwege to the Rotenburg train station.

Tour Suggestions for Full- and Half-Day Hikes
Between the northern and southern routes of the NORDPFAD, numerous bridges and weirs span the Wümme River. These connecting paths, also signposted as “variants,” are particularly well-suited for day and half-day tours. Access routes to the NORDPFAD also lead from the surrounding towns and the train stations in Sottrum and Rotenburg (Wümme). Combined with the shortcuts, this allows for numerous tour variations. Everyone can “put together” their own individual tour.

Suggestions for shorter tours

• Everinghausen – Everinghausen (approx. 13 km): Hellwege – Wümme Lock – Großer Fährhof - Vossberge Nature Reserve
• Hellwege – Hellwege (approx. 9 km): Kreienhoop – Hassendorfer Wehr – Fährhof – Wümme Lock. Ahausen, Hassendorf, and the Sottrum train station are also suitable starting points.
• Sottrum Station – Sottrum Station (approx. 21 km): Großer Fährhof – Vossberge Nature Reserve – Hellwege – Kreienhoop – Hassendorf Weir
• Unterstedt - Unterstedt (approx. 15 km): Unterstedt Weir - Forest Classroom - Hassendorf Weir - Trienenwiese. Alternatively, you can also start from Sottrum Station, Ahausen, or Waffensen!
• Rotenburg Station – Rotenburg Station (approx. 20 km): Forest Classroom – Hassendorfer Weir – Trienenwiese – Gothard Bridge
• Rotenburg Station – Rotenburg Station (approx. 9 km): Ahe – Unterstedt Weir – Gothard Bridge

Possible places for side trips

• Rotenburg (Wümme): This tranquil little town, with its historic buildings, pedestrian zone, town church, and museums, is best explored via the Rotenburg Cultural Trail. The Ronolulu water park, known far beyond the region, invites you to go for a swim and enjoy the sauna after your hike.
• Waffensen: Near the art installation “Lauf der Welt,” a 2.6 km detour leads to Waffensen. You can discover this idyllic village—which has won the national “Unser Dorf hat Zukunft” (“Our Village Has a Future”) competition multiple times—via the Waffensen Cultural Trail.
• Everinghausen: From the Voßberge Nature Reserve, a charming path leads to Everinghausen, 1 km away. There you’ll find the artwork “Luftdurchlässig,” a wooden sculpture designed to create unique views and perspectives.
• Ahausen: Just before the Ahauser Bach, a path leads to Ahausen, 3 km away. This idyllic village, with its inn, village church, village store, and farmhouses, could be described as “typically North German.” Along the way, picturesquely situated on the mill pond, lies the Ahaus watermill and its estate.
• Unterstedt: Near the Westermoor Dunes, a 2.3-kilometer-long side trail leads to Unterstedt, which offers places to stop for refreshments and overnight accommodations. The best way to explore it is via the Unterstedt Cultural Trail, which begins at the Unterstedter Spieker, a historic complex of buildings.