Salzufler "8" - Western Loop

At the historic town hall, one of the few town halls in Germany spelled with two "h"s, you will find a bronze plaque embedded in the floor slabs. It was erected on the occasion of the anniversary "50 years of the municipality of Bad Salzuflen".

We drive out of the pedestrian zone to the new town hall of the city of Bad Salzuflen on Rudolph-Brandes-Allee, the actual starting and finishing point of the bike tour. Now we follow Lockhauser Straße over the Bega bridge. Before crossing the Werre, we turn sharply right.
Fruit teaching path at Hoffmanns WiesenAlong the impressive fruit teaching path at Hoffmanns Wiesen, the wheels roll over a well-maintained, water-bound path. However, it is worth getting off the bike, as the individual stations along the teaching path provide interesting background information on the fruit trees and vegetation on the wayside. Just before Bega-Bad, information signs inform about the renaturation of the Bega.

Water birds also sit on the riverbank or on bushes and scan for prey. In Bad Salzuflen, the two rivers Bega and Salze flow into the Werre. Later, near Bad Oeynhausen-Rehme, the Werre flows into the Weser and heads towards the North Sea.

The circular route of the figure eight starts at Bad Salzuflen train station on a well-developed cycle path towards Herford, accompanying the Werre on the right. On a late summer evening, friends who enjoy sunsets sit by the riverbank and savor this unique evening atmosphere.
Nature reserves and poppy fieldsBetween the two villages of Biemsen and Ahmsen lie green and arable land as well as the nature reserve Voßsiek.

We leave the Werre riverbank and loop under the A2 motorway bridge. Following the residential streets, we pass by gardens and reach the community of Lockhausen. On summer evenings, the air is filled with the tempting smell of barbecue, people can be seen gathering on balconies and terraces, and an air of lightness hangs over everything.

Popular photo motifs in early summer are the lilac blooming poppy fields near Lockhausen. In summer, the golden-brown cereal fields with chicory, or in autumn, the sunflowers.
Detour to Bexter Wald bird-watching trailTip: For bird lovers or ornithologists, a detour to the Bexter Wald for the 1.5 km long bird-watching trail is worthwhile. The easily accessible walking and cycling path leads through the 49-hectare forest area. Information boards provide valuable information about rare bird species and the importance of birds.

After this excursion, we head to the next stop of the figure eight in the west and after a few pedal strokes, we reach the village of Wülfer-Bexten. Vigorous-growing sugar beet fields near KnetterheideThe sugar beet fields on both sides of the cycle path show us that this region is a popular area for sugar beet and vegetable cultivation.

Bike tour tip: South of Bad Salzuflen, the regional sugar beet route runs, showing cyclists more of the rich cultivation area in Lipperland. Worthwhile!

Near Knetterheide, the eyes are drawn from the bike to the golden-yellow cereal fields, past green, gently undulating landscapes to old tree avenues in the distance.

We cross the Werre again and let the bikes roll towards Schötmar.
Popular meeting place for young and oldBefore cycling to the castle, we pass by the Werrefriedhof of the Protestant-Reformed church community of Schötmar and the Catholic church of St. Kilian.

We follow the street "Krumme Weide" over a bridge over the Werre and stop at the church of the Protestant-Reformed church community St. Kilian in Schötmar.

Along urban streets, we encounter locals with a drink in hand, sitting comfortably on the church steps.

The church tower, standing at around 47 meters, is unmissable. The church is one of the oldest church buildings in Lipperland.

Back then, Lipperland did not belong to North Rhine-Westphalia, but to the present-day state of Lower Saxony.
Majestic castle with castle parkOne of the highlights of the "Figure Eight in the West" bike tour is the castle park of Stietencron Castle in Schötmar. The castle used to serve as the seat and manor house of the Schötmar estate. Today, the castle building houses the music school of Bad Salzuflen.

The park is particularly beautiful to photograph in the early morning or late evening hours.

For those interested, nearby restaurateurs offer savory or sweet treats for a break.

To finish the bike tour, we drive back to Rudolf-Brandes-Allee via Schlossstraße.

For a leisurely end to the day, a visit to the restaurants in the town center or the graduation works of Bad Salzuflen are worthwhile.