- 3:00 h
- 64.00 km
- 150 m
- 150 m
- 14 m
- 50 m
- 36 m
- Start: Sottrum train station, Am Bahnhof 12, 27367 Sottrum
- Destination: Sottrum train station, Am Bahnhof 12, 27367 Sottrum
The 64 km long circular tour leads along quiet paths north and south of the A1 freeway through picturesque villages and a landscape characterized by agriculture and forestry. In spring, many fields are covered in a sea of yellow rapeseed blossom, in summer the cornfields glow golden yellow and in October at the latest, the forests along the route are covered in colorful leaves. Special stops on this tour are the villages of Bötersen and Waffensen, which have been awarded the title of ''golden villages'' for their well-kept appearance. Nartum, known as the home of the writer Walter Kempowski and his estate Haus Kreienhoop, is also located along the route. We also pass Tarmstedt, where northern Germany's largest agricultural fair takes place every year in June. This easy beginners' tour offers numerous refreshment stops and invites you to explore the region in a relaxed manner.
Good to know
Pavements
Asphalt
Best to visit
suitable
Depends on weather
Directions
Overview of the route:
Sottrum - 9 km - Reeßum - 4 km - Otterstedt - 7 km - Wilstedt - 4 km - Tarmstedt - 4 km - Hepstedt - 4 km - Kirchtimke - 6 km - Steinfeld - 4 km - Nartum - 5 km - Mulmshorn - 8 km - Bötersen - 3 km - Waffensen - 6 km - Sottrum
Detailed route:
We start our 64-km circular tour at Sottrum station, which is on the Hamburg-Bremen railroad line and offers a good way to get there. On the first section of the route to the mill village of Stuckenborstel, we pass under the A1 highway, cross the Wieste river and reach the village of Reeßum after 9 km.
The tour continues on the K242 to Otterstedt in the neighboring district of Verden, where a detour to the popular bathing lake Otterstedter See is possible. From Otterstedt, the route continues to Dipshorn and Wilstedt via the K146, partly on the completely new cycle path built in 2025.
Wilstedt, a town with many creative artists and a lively club culture, is also the hub of several supra-regional cycle routes, such as the Radfernweg Hamburg-Bremen and the Mönchsweg. The St. Petri Church in the town center is worth a visit, as is the ice cream factory and café.
Crossing the Wörpe, it is only 4 km to the larger neighboring town of Tarmstedt, which is known for the Tarmstedt Exhibition, Northern Germany's largest agricultural fair with over 100,000 visitors, which takes place every year on the second weekend in July. From Tarmstedt, we cycle 8 km via Hepstedt to Kirchtimke. The village is idyllically situated in the middle of rural surroundings, where the historic fieldstone church of St. Lambertus from the 12th century dominates the townscape.
The next section takes us through the Schierk forest and on partly newly asphalted roads via Steinfeld to Nartum. The village is known as the place where the writer Walter Kempowski lived and worked for many years. His estate, the "Haus Kreienhoop", was built in 1957 and served as a retreat and inspiration for Kempowski. Today, the house, where many of the author's works were created, is open to the public and offers insights into Kempowski's life and work.
We reach the only climb on this tour on wide, well-maintained roads: shortly before Mulmshorn, we have to tackle the ascent to the A1 freeway bridge. The route continues through fields and meadows to the so-called "golden villages" of Bötersen and Waffensen. Both villages were awarded the gold medal in the "Our village has a future" competition: Bötersen was awarded the title at state level in 2019, while Waffensen even won at national level in 1987 and 2010. Both villages are characterized by a well-kept village character and an active community life that is constantly improving the quality of life in the countryside - an impression that is immediately noticeable as you pass through.
The last 6 km lead us back to Sottrum station. If you want to end the cycle tour in a restaurant or café, you can reach the center of Sottrum via Lindenstraße, where there are several places to stop for refreshments around the Radwegkirche St. Georg.
Sottrum - 9 km - Reeßum - 4 km - Otterstedt - 7 km - Wilstedt - 4 km - Tarmstedt - 4 km - Hepstedt - 4 km - Kirchtimke - 6 km - Steinfeld - 4 km - Nartum - 5 km - Mulmshorn - 8 km - Bötersen - 3 km - Waffensen - 6 km - Sottrum
Detailed route:
We start our 64-km circular tour at Sottrum station, which is on the Hamburg-Bremen railroad line and offers a good way to get there. On the first section of the route to the mill village of Stuckenborstel, we pass under the A1 highway, cross the Wieste river and reach the village of Reeßum after 9 km.
The tour continues on the K242 to Otterstedt in the neighboring district of Verden, where a detour to the popular bathing lake Otterstedter See is possible. From Otterstedt, the route continues to Dipshorn and Wilstedt via the K146, partly on the completely new cycle path built in 2025.
Wilstedt, a town with many creative artists and a lively club culture, is also the hub of several supra-regional cycle routes, such as the Radfernweg Hamburg-Bremen and the Mönchsweg. The St. Petri Church in the town center is worth a visit, as is the ice cream factory and café.
Crossing the Wörpe, it is only 4 km to the larger neighboring town of Tarmstedt, which is known for the Tarmstedt Exhibition, Northern Germany's largest agricultural fair with over 100,000 visitors, which takes place every year on the second weekend in July. From Tarmstedt, we cycle 8 km via Hepstedt to Kirchtimke. The village is idyllically situated in the middle of rural surroundings, where the historic fieldstone church of St. Lambertus from the 12th century dominates the townscape.
The next section takes us through the Schierk forest and on partly newly asphalted roads via Steinfeld to Nartum. The village is known as the place where the writer Walter Kempowski lived and worked for many years. His estate, the "Haus Kreienhoop", was built in 1957 and served as a retreat and inspiration for Kempowski. Today, the house, where many of the author's works were created, is open to the public and offers insights into Kempowski's life and work.
We reach the only climb on this tour on wide, well-maintained roads: shortly before Mulmshorn, we have to tackle the ascent to the A1 freeway bridge. The route continues through fields and meadows to the so-called "golden villages" of Bötersen and Waffensen. Both villages were awarded the gold medal in the "Our village has a future" competition: Bötersen was awarded the title at state level in 2019, while Waffensen even won at national level in 1987 and 2010. Both villages are characterized by a well-kept village character and an active community life that is constantly improving the quality of life in the countryside - an impression that is immediately noticeable as you pass through.
The last 6 km lead us back to Sottrum station. If you want to end the cycle tour in a restaurant or café, you can reach the center of Sottrum via Lindenstraße, where there are several places to stop for refreshments around the Radwegkirche St. Georg.
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
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 Sottrum and Tarmstedt.
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
Diverse shopping and refreshment facilities can be found primarily in the larger towns of Sottrum, Wilstedt and Tarmstedt as well as occasionally in Otterstedt, Kirchtimke, Mulmshorn, Bötersen and Waffensen
- Bike service shops can be found in Wilstedt (with Schlauchomat) and Sottrum (please note opening times)
Safety guidelines
Please note:
The road traffic regulations (StVO) must always be observed.
Rural traffic always has priority.
Some sections may contain (small) potholes or cracks.
Some roads or cycle paths are sometimes (very) uneven.
Special notes for the Westschleifchen:
The Westschleifchen contains more roadside cycle paths than the other road bike tours. These are mostly in a good or satisfactory condition.
During the Tarmstedt Exhibition (mid-July), restrictions are to be expected on sections of the route around Tarmstedt.
Nearby
