Soleweg - Southern loop

On the trail of the white goldThe fascination of nature is clearly demonstrated on this bike tour. From nature reserves, hilly, natural meadows and forests, to underground brine streams, you discover places with natural healing springs and contrasting landscapes on the southern brine route.

The circular tour, about 36 km long, initially leads through the landscape garden to the Gustav-Horstmann thermal spring. From here, the landscape opens up and the salt meadows spread out. We turn left for a gentle ascent along a foot and cycle path to the Alte Vlothoer Straße.

From Hühnerwiem to the fieldstone churchVia a bend at Vierenberg, we come across the well-known rest area Hühnerwiem. Golden yellow cereal fields lie to the left and we drive through small hamlets over gentle hills until Giershagen. Turning right, we reach the Römerweg after a few pedal strokes. We make good progress on the well-developed country road. Before reaching the village of Bergkirchen, it is worth looking to the right at the edge of the forest. The typical half-timbered construction of the fieldstone church shines in the forest setting and the play of colors invites you to take a photo break.

Special boundary stones in LipperlandAfter passing some rural farmsteads and hamlets, we see, three kilometers east of Wüsten, a remarkable boundary stone with the Lippe rose in Pillenbruch.

The rose consists of five red petals, five golden yellow sepals, and a golden yellow bud, the seed capsule. The 16 municipalities in the Lippe district are symbolized by 16 points around the seed capsule. The Lippe rose is also included in a slightly modified form in the coat of arms of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, below the symbols for the Rhine and the horse.

Nature and healing springs up closeThe next cycling kilometers lead us close to Bonstapel (335 m) and through several nature reserves, such as Großer (275 m) and Kleiner Selberg (272 m). The wet meadows and moorland areas up to Valdorf-Vlotho offer natural healing springs, which are still used today in the farm baths Bad Senkelteich and Bad Seebruch. Between the two baths, the river Linnenbeeke accompanies our cycle path. To the left, there is the shady and worth seeing spa park with playgrounds, walking paths, and places to linger.

Worthwhile detour to the WeserAfter reaching the northernmost point of the bike tour in Valdorf-Vlotho, an excursion through the charming town center of Vlotho to the Weser meadows is recommended for the adventurous. Valuable nature reserves also lie along the banks of the river. Back in Valdorf-Vlotho, we cycle towards Bad Salzuflen through the nature reserve at Glimke.

Romantic stream valleys near Bad SalzuflenAt the level of the wildly romantic Finnebach valley, we reach the former narrow-gauge railway line while cycling leisurely. It runs parallel to Extersche Straße. Along the salt meadows, the cycle path smoothly transitions through the fairytale-like Salzetal back to the Kurparksee and the VitaSol thermal baths on the right. After the eventful bike tour on the brine cycle path, a visit to the popular Salzufler gastronomy is worthwhile, or for relaxed hours, a stay at the VitaSol thermal baths.