--- title: "Westschleifchen - Rennradtour bei Sottrum" url: "https://www.niedersachsen-tourism.com/tour/westschleifchen-rennradtour-bei-sottrum" description: "The 64-km loop follows quiet paths north and south of the A1 highway through picturesque villages and a landscape shaped by agriculture and forestry. In the spring, many fields are covered by a sea of yellow rapeseed blossoms; in the summer, the grain fields glow golden yellow; and by October at the latest, the forests along the route are decked out in a colorful tapestry of leaves. Highlights of this tour include the villages of Bötersen and Waffensen, which have been recognized as “Gold Villages” for their well-maintained appearance. Nartum, known as the home of writer Walter Kempowski and his estate, Haus Kreienhoop, also lies along the route. We’ll also pass through Tarmstedt, where Northern Germany’s largest agricultural fair takes place every June. This easy, beginner-friendly tour offers plenty of places to stop for refreshments and invites you to explore the region at a leisurely pace." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://dam.destination.one/2849640/a44e72a8597672e794364ad224a96b7b3cb96f575b54b67b7afe53335398ce52/mitten-durch-die-felder.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > Home > Special > Destination.Data Details > Tour" --- GPX Share Westschleifchen - Rennradtour bei Sottrum ========================================= - 64.00 km long - Round trip - Difficulty: medium - Condition: medium - Asphalt - Racing bike - Bicycle Mitten durch die Felder - 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 Along forested Geest ridges and through the vast fields of the Rotenburg (Wümme) district ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The **64-km loop** follows quiet paths north and south of the A1 highway through picturesque villages and a landscape shaped by agriculture and forestry. In the spring, many fields are covered by a sea of yellow rapeseed blossoms; in the summer, the grain fields glow golden yellow; and by October at the latest, the forests along the route are decked out in a colorful tapestry of leaves. Highlights of this tour include the villages of Bötersen and Waffensen, which have been recognized as “Gold Villages” for their well-maintained appearance. Nartum, known as the home of writer Walter Kempowski and his estate, Haus Kreienhoop, also lies along the route. We’ll also pass through Tarmstedt, where Northern Germany’s largest agricultural fair takes place every June. This easy, beginner-friendly tour offers plenty of places to stop for refreshments and invites you to explore the region at a leisurely pace. Read more Historische Wassermühle in Stuckenborstel Good to know ------------ Pavements Asphalt (100%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions **Route Overview:** 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 description:** We begin our 64-km round trip at the Sottrum train station, which is located on the Hamburg–Bremen rail line and offers convenient access. On the first section of the route to , we pass under the A1 highway, cross the small Wieste River, and reach the town of Reeßum after 9 km. The tour continues along the K242 to Otterstedt in the neighboring district of Verden, where a detour takes us to the popular swimming lake is possible. From Otterstedt, the route continues along the K146—partly on the brand-new bike path to be completed in 2025—on to Dipshorn and Wilstedt. Wilstedt, a town with many creative artists and a vibrant club scene, is also a hub for several interregional bike routes, such as the and the . The in the town center is worth a visit, as is the ice cream shop with its café. Across the Wörpe River, it’s only 4 km to the larger neighboring town of Tarmstedt, which is known for the , northern Germany’s largest agricultural fair with over 100,000 visitors. From Tarmstedt, we’ll cycle 8 km via Hepstedt on to Kirchtimke. The village is idyllically situated in the midst of a rural landscape, where the historic , dating from the 12th century, shapes the town’s character. The next section takes us through the Schierk Forest and along roads—some of which have been recently repaved—via Steinfeld to Nartum. The town is known as the home of the writer Walter Kempowski, who lived and worked here for many years. His estate, the , built in 1957, served as a retreat and source of inspiration for Kempowski. Today, the house—where the author wrote many of his works—is open to the public and offers insights into Kempowski’s life and work. On wide, well-paved roads, we reach the only climb on this tour: Just before Mulmshorn, we must tackle the ascent to the A1 highway bridge. The route continues through fields and farmland to the so-called “Gold Villages” of Bötersen and Waffensen. Both villages were awarded the gold medal in the “Our Village Has a Future” competition: Bötersen received the title at the state level in 2019, while Waffensen even won at the federal level in 1987 and 2010. Both villages are characterized by a well-maintained village atmosphere and an active community life that steadily improves the quality of life in the countryside—an impression that becomes immediately apparent as you ride through. The final 6 km take us back to the Sottrum train station. If you’d like to wrap up your bike tour at a restaurant or café, take Lindenstraße to the center of Sottrum, where you’ll find several places to stop for refreshments near the . Read more 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). Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Getting there****We recommend traveling by train:** The Sottrum train station (the starting point of the Westschleife) is accessible via regional trains directly from Hamburg and Bremen. Information and tickets: or Read more **Parking** If you're traveling by car, you'll find public parking at the train station in 27367 Sottrum. Read more **Public transportation**Sottrum station (starting point of the West Loop) can be reached directly by regional train from Hamburg and Bremen. Information and tickets: or Read more Additional information Information and GPX tracks for all road bike tours in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) can be found at , , and or in the . Read more Literature All the information about the road bike tours in the Rotenburg (Wümme) district is presented in a handy fold-out brochure. It can be ordered from the and is available at tourist information centers along the route, including those in Sottrum and Tarmstedt. Read more 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 shopping and dining options, primarily in the larger towns of Sottrum, Wilstedt, and Tarmstedt, as well as a few in Otterstedt, Kirchtimke, Mulmshorn, Bötersen, and Waffensen - are located in Wilstedt (with a self-service tire pump) and Sottrum *(please check opening hours).* Read more Safety guidelines **Please note:** - You must always obey the State Traffic Regulations (StVO). - Agricultural vehicles always have the right of way. - A few sections may have (small) potholes or cracks. - Some roads and bike paths are (very) uneven in places and require careful riding. **Special notes for the Westschleifchen:** - The Westschleifchen includes more roadside bike paths than the other road bike tours. These are mostly in good or satisfactory condition. - During the Tarmstedt Exhibition (mid-July), restrictions are to be expected on sections of the route around Tarmstedt. Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Event - Reading - Tours 204.00 km - Racing bike 150.35 km - E-bike 535.30 km - Theme trail Contact **Rathaus Samtgemeinde Sottrum** Am Eichkamp 12 27367 Sottrum Download GPX file - -