Heideschleife Töps

Long, challenging and extremely varied. Large and small heathland areas, dark forests and pretty forest edges, clear heathland streams and enchanted ponds. The Töps heathland loop has a lot to offer. The Kerkstieg between Hanstedt and Weseler Heide offers a shortcut.

The Töps Heath Loop begins in the middle of the forest, at the parking lot on Weseler Weg. The twittering of birds. Wild boar tracks along the way. After 500 meters, witches on brooms. Hovering between the trees. The witches' dance floor. From here, the path winds its way through the fairytale forest down into the valley. The small stream, which only carries water occasionally, feeds the pond below, the former Hanstedt bathing establishment. The Kerkstieg branches off to the right. The citizens of Wesel used to walk to the church in Hanstedt along the old church path. Up and down through the foothills of the Hanstedt mountains. The fish ponds on the other side of Ollsener Straße shimmer in the sunlight. You can even swim in the charcoal-burning pond at Arnoldsruh. Along the edges of the forest down to the Schmalen Aue. Clear heath river in lovely meadows. The path becomes more adventurous after Nindorf. Steep slope edge above the floodplain. Large poplars. Narrow path. As far as the mouth of the Hümmingenbach stream into the floodplain. Idyllic spot under oak trees. Take a breather by the river.

The forest passage over to Weseler Heide is varied. An idyllic horse meadow on the Hamberg. Slow ascent in the forest up to Udo's hut, a lovingly decorated resting place. Continue through the entertaining mixed forest. Finally the Weseler Heide. And the Heidschnuckenweg. A wide view over the heath, which slopes gently to the north-west. Junipers, birches, scattered pines.

Changing views to the left, species-rich forest edges to the right. Up to the view of the uppermost of the pastor's ponds. This is where the heath pastor Wilhelm Bode is said to have sometimes sought inspiration and peace to write his sermons. The trail continues over gentle hills above the ponds in the direction of the sheepfold. Deep footprints in the heath. The Heidschnuckenweg branches off in a small hollow. Then into the valley of the Weseler Bach stream and in two large bends up to the sheepfold.

The path climbs almost imperceptibly to the Töps Heath. Many heather bushes have already established themselves in the wide forest corridor to the left and right of the path. The heath on the Töps lies on a plateau. Views as far as Hamburg on clear days. Behind the small sheepfold, the path turns into the heathland. In a long curve, the path leads through the heathland and along a slightly pronounced ridge into the forest. A path leads steeply down into a stream valley. Enchanted narrowness. Small stream. Trees lie across the valley floor. A pretty place. Then further up on the path. A left-right turn along the wide path. Through the forest to Weseler Weg and turn right 200 meters further to the parking lot.