Pivitker Wasserweg: Hermannshöhen Tour tip 12

The Pivitker Wasserweg starts directly at the parking lot Donoper Teich. The pond and the surrounding area were placed under protection in April 1950 together with the Hochmoor Hiddeser Bent. At the behest of Simon VII, it was dammed for fish farming during the Thirty Years' War and named after the chamberlain von Donop. Due to its landscape diversity and beauty, the Donoper Teich is one of the most popular excursion destinations in Lippe. The path passes by Donoper Teich, where hikers should keep right and follow the Hermannsweg towards Krebsteich. This pond was used for crayfish farming for a long time due to its nutrient-poor moor water. At Krebsteich, leave the Hermannsweg and keep left until you reach the Panoramaweg, which leads you back towards Donoper Teich. There, turn right and immediately diagonally left and soon you will come across the so-called Eisenhaltige Quelle. This is located in close proximity to Donoper Teich and can still be visited today. Already at the beginning of the 17th century, it was captured in the form of a stone vase, which has acquired a rusty color due to the high iron content in the water. The spring quickly developed into a health well, but has fallen into oblivion over time. Now leave the Eisenhaltige Quelle behind and follow the Hasselbach to the Hasselbachstausee. The Hasselbach is a left tributary of the Werre with a length of about 6.5 kilometers. The name Hasselbach refers to the former breeding of the Senner horses, because "Hassel" means "foal" in Low German. Where the Hasselbachstausee is located today, a paper mill was established in 1674, which was later converted into a furniture factory and produced until 1965 after several expansions. After the demolition of the production site, the current leisure facility was built in 1981/82. Cross the Hasselbach over a wooden bridge towards Stoddartstraße, where the hiking trail continues on the other side of the street towards the parking lot Waldfriedhof. Pass by the parking lot and back into the forest. Following the markings, you will reach the Blauer See. Here, the hike continues on the left side of the lake known for its crystal-clear water and the supplying Blauer Bach. After turning left, after a few hundred meters, turn left again onto the Hermannsweg, which soon after the second crossing of Stoddartstraße reaches the starting point at the parking lot Donoper Teich.