The 114 km long road bike tour leads from village to village and into the center of Zeven on roads with little traffic. It is a circuit of contrasts that winds its way through vast fields, moorland and meadow-rich lowlands. In the far east of the tour, three raised bogs dominate the atmosphere. In autumn, this tranquil, mystical landscape is only interrupted by the loud trumpeting of the cranes as they set off for their protected moorland roosts at dusk and fly over the eastern loop.
Good to know
Pavements
Asphalt
Best to visit
suitable
Depends on weather
Directions
Overview of the route:
Lauenbrück - 4 km - Stemmen - 6 km - Helvesiek - 4 km - Sothel - 11 km - Rüspel - 9 km - Zeven - 3 km - Brauel - 11 km - Bohnste - 9 km - Wangersen - 7 km - Wohnste - 4 km - Vierden - 4 km - Freetz - 3 km - Tiste - 10 km - Heidenau - 5 km - Vaerloh - 6 km - Königsmoor - 10 km - Fintel - 4 km - Benkeloh - 5 km - Lauenbrück
Detailed route:
Our circular tour starts at Lauenbrück station, which is on the Hamburg-Bremen railroad line. From here, we cycle westwards. Via side roads and along fertile meadows and fields, we reach the tranquil villages of Stemmen and Helvesiek. Both villages are typical of the region with their rural structure and picturesque half-timbered farmhouses, reminiscent of the traditional architecture of northern Germany.
Between Sothel and Hatzte, we cross the A1 highway and after 15 km arrive in the village of Rüspel, which is known for the "Kliemannsland". The 3.5-hectare adventure farm with the Café "Zum Dübel" is a huge adventure playground for young and old. The courtyard has been renovated and imaginatively redesigned by a bunch of "creatives". Today, it attracts visitors from all over Germany.
After another 9 km, we reach Zeven. The small town by the forest offers numerous places to stop for refreshments and cycle service stores as well as the Museum Kloster Zeven, an impressive sight. The cycle tour continues north, crossing the River Oste at Brauel and on to Wangersen in the district of Stade.
We cycle through fields that offer sweeping views into the distance and return to the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) in the small village of Wohnste. From there, we reach Vierdener Holz and continue to Freetz, crossing the A1 highway again on the outskirts of Sittensen until we reach the village of Tiste after a total of 10 km. Here, we recommend a short detour to the moor railway station at the Tister Bauernmoor nature reserve. The so-called "Vogelmoor" is a popular destination not only during the crane season in autumn.
We leave the Wümme district again and cycle on small, quiet agricultural roads in a north-easterly direction, past the Großen Everstorfer Moor to Heidenau in the district of Harburg. We pass the Tister Bauernmoor and Ekelmoor, through extensive moor and forest areas and on moor roads that are not always good, to reach the village of Fintel. We cross four natural rivers, the Heidenauer Aue, Oste, Wümme and Fintau.
Fintel is the southernmost town on the eastern loop. In addition to refreshment stops, the impressive brick St. Antonius Cycle Route Church offers an ideal place for a rest before tackling the last 9 kilometers to Lauenbrück. If you are still fit, you should not miss out on a walk through the LandPark Lauenbrück. The animal and landscape park with its endangered wildlife and livestock breeds makes for a lovely end to the tour.
Lauenbrück - 4 km - Stemmen - 6 km - Helvesiek - 4 km - Sothel - 11 km - Rüspel - 9 km - Zeven - 3 km - Brauel - 11 km - Bohnste - 9 km - Wangersen - 7 km - Wohnste - 4 km - Vierden - 4 km - Freetz - 3 km - Tiste - 10 km - Heidenau - 5 km - Vaerloh - 6 km - Königsmoor - 10 km - Fintel - 4 km - Benkeloh - 5 km - Lauenbrück
Detailed route:
Our circular tour starts at Lauenbrück station, which is on the Hamburg-Bremen railroad line. From here, we cycle westwards. Via side roads and along fertile meadows and fields, we reach the tranquil villages of Stemmen and Helvesiek. Both villages are typical of the region with their rural structure and picturesque half-timbered farmhouses, reminiscent of the traditional architecture of northern Germany.
Between Sothel and Hatzte, we cross the A1 highway and after 15 km arrive in the village of Rüspel, which is known for the "Kliemannsland". The 3.5-hectare adventure farm with the Café "Zum Dübel" is a huge adventure playground for young and old. The courtyard has been renovated and imaginatively redesigned by a bunch of "creatives". Today, it attracts visitors from all over Germany.
After another 9 km, we reach Zeven. The small town by the forest offers numerous places to stop for refreshments and cycle service stores as well as the Museum Kloster Zeven, an impressive sight. The cycle tour continues north, crossing the River Oste at Brauel and on to Wangersen in the district of Stade.
We cycle through fields that offer sweeping views into the distance and return to the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) in the small village of Wohnste. From there, we reach Vierdener Holz and continue to Freetz, crossing the A1 highway again on the outskirts of Sittensen until we reach the village of Tiste after a total of 10 km. Here, we recommend a short detour to the moor railway station at the Tister Bauernmoor nature reserve. The so-called "Vogelmoor" is a popular destination not only during the crane season in autumn.
We leave the Wümme district again and cycle on small, quiet agricultural roads in a north-easterly direction, past the Großen Everstorfer Moor to Heidenau in the district of Harburg. We pass the Tister Bauernmoor and Ekelmoor, through extensive moor and forest areas and on moor roads that are not always good, to reach the village of Fintel. We cross four natural rivers, the Heidenauer Aue, Oste, Wümme and Fintau.
Fintel is the southernmost town on the eastern loop. In addition to refreshment stops, the impressive brick St. Antonius Cycle Route Church offers an ideal place for a rest before tackling the last 9 kilometers to Lauenbrück. If you are still fit, you should not miss out on a walk through the LandPark Lauenbrück. The animal and landscape park with its endangered wildlife and livestock breeds makes for a lovely end to the tour.
Route markings
The road bike tours in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) are neither signposted nor marked on site. GPX tracks are available for orientation (e.g. here on the page as a download)
Directions & Parking facilities
We recommend traveling by train:
The Lauenbrück train station (start and finish of the east loop) can be reached directly by regional train from Hamburg and Bremen. Information and tickets: bahn.de
The Lauenbrück train station (start and finish of the east loop) can be reached directly by regional train from Hamburg and Bremen. Information and tickets: bahn.de
If you are traveling by car, we recommend the following public parking spaces:
- Train station in 27389 Lauenbrück
- Stadtpark in 27404 Zeven
- Wassermühle in 27419 Sittensen
Lauenbrück station (start and finish of the east loop) can be reached directly by regional train from Hamburg and Bremen. Information and tickets: bahn.de
Additional information
Information and GPX tracks for all road bike tours in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) can be found at app.nordwaerts.de, nordwaerts.de, komoot.com and strava.com or in the handy folding brochure.
Literature
All information about the road bike tours in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) is presented in a handy leaflet. This can be ordered on the website of the Rotenburg (Wümme) district tourism association and is available at tourist information offices, including those in Zeven, Sittensen and Lauenbrück.
Contact person
Touristikverband Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme) e.V. -
Ihr Ansprechpartner für die Region
Harburger Straße 59
27356 Rotenburg (Wümme)
License (master data)
Phillip Holtermann
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
There are various places to shop and eat in the larger towns of Sittensen, Heidenau, Fintel and Lauenbrück as well as the town of Zeven.
There are bike service shops in Zeven and Sittensen (please check opening times on the internet beforehand)
Safety guidelines
Please note:
The road traffic regulations (StVO) must always be observed.
Agricultural traffic always has priority.
Some sections may contain (small) potholes or cracks.
Some roads and cycle paths are (very) uneven.
Special notes for the eastern loop:
Between Vaerloh and the B75 on the eastern edge of the Tister Bauernmoor, the road surface shows several signs of damage.
Nearby
