NA6 Old knights, wild horses

The 45-kilometer circular tour starts at the former knight's castle in Bad Bodenteich. Before or after, you can visit the castle museum and castle keep. The tour from Bodenteich leads close to the Seepark with pedal boat rental, mini golf, and playground. Shortly thereafter, the Elbe lateral canal is crossed. In front of the church in Lüder, the "Giant of Lüder" has its place - a huge glacial erratic boulder discovered during the construction of the Elbe Lateral Canal in 1972. The tour continues south. Instead of turning left to Langenbrügge, a detour to the Schweimker Moor and Lüderbruch nature reserve is recommended. From the observation tower, you have a wide view of the moor and good chances to spot cranes (bring binoculars!). Back on the main route, Langenbrügge follows. The open landscape along the way is the habitat of the last corn buntings in the district. At the edge of the village is the Langenbrügger Moor, where the natterjack toad lives. To reach the moor, turn right and go 800 meters along the path. Back on the main path, cycle to Schafwedel, close to the former inner-German border. Shortly before Schostorf, a sign informs about the Seewiesen, which were once a lake, and it is not far on foot to the "Seewiesen" nature trail. While walking, you can feel the ground bouncing on the up to 12-meter thick peat bog. The tour continues via Bomke to Könau. Here, the bird sanctuary "Ostheide" stretches out, where the wood lark and ortolan bunting are at home. East of Könau, the "Esterau lowlands" offer nature experiences on a 4 km circular path, which is mostly suitable for cycling. Some areas are grazed by Dexter cattle and wild Dülmener horses. From Könau, the bike tour leads to the Kroetzmühle from 1550 on the Esterau. Between Kroetzmühle and Drohe lies an oak-hornbeam forest, the "Droher Holz". A side path leads there, with a sign providing information about the forest at the "entrance". In Wieren, you can take a break in front of the fieldstone church. Here too, there is a historic water mill with a weir and fish ladder. From Wieren, the route leads to Kuckstorf with its ancient oaks and an information board at the village square on the theme of "village habitat" with animals like barn owl and bat. In Häcklingen, you can cross the Elbe lateral canal to the right and reach the Bodenteicher Heide with a sheepfold and nature trail. Back over the canal, it is only a few minutes to Bad Bodenteich.