Weser Cycle Route Circular Tour: Stolzenau-Minden

Discover a part of the Weser Cycle Path as a circular route on the main and alternative routes.

Attractions along the route: Wind and water mills, St. Jacob's Church Stolzenau, Stolzenau town center with town hall, normal clock, and local museum, Schlüsselburg lock, Scheunenviertel Schlüsselburg, Schlüsselburg Castle (external viewing), Gernheim Glassworks, Petershagen town center with castle (external viewing), synagogue, Old District Court and Lechner Figures, Waterway Cross, Old Town, Prussian Museum and Minden Cathedral, Klostermühle Lahde, Stork Museum Windheim, Solar Ferry PetraSolara Windheim, Heimsen Herring Fisher Museum, Church and historical draw well Leese

The former district town of Stolzenau is located directly on the western bank of the Weser River. During a walk, you can discover the attractions: town hall, Freihof of Baron Münchhausen, fire station, etc. The landmark of Stolzenau is the twisted spire of St. Jacobi Church.

Continuing southwards over the lock to Schlüsselburg. The historic Scheunenviertel (17th century) on the outskirts of Schlüsselburg is a regional cultural heritage of agricultural significance. The manor house of the castle (private property) in the town center was built in the Weser Renaissance style by Ludolf von Klencke from 1581-1585.

From Schlüsselburg, the path leads to Buchholz with its old fortified church. South of there is Gernheim, a factory town from the early 19th century. The landmark is the glassworks tower from 1826, part of the Westphalian Industrial Museum Gernheim.

The city of Petershagen has 29 districts. In the center is Petershagen Castle. The former water castle, residence of the bishops of Minden, was converted into a castle in the Weser Renaissance style in the 16th century. Also worth seeing are the town church (1615-20), the Old Synagogue, and the Old District Court, built in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1913. It is one of the fully preserved smaller Prussian district courts in Westphalia.

Passing windmills, you head towards the city of Minden with its waterway cross and lock. In the old town, the cathedral with its treasury, the market square, and the Prussian Museum are worth seeing. From a distance, you can see the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument in Porta Westfalica. By the way, this is where the "Mittelweser" river section begins.

On the alternative route to the right of the Weser heading north, the path leads you through Lahde with the Klostermühle, a tower windmill on an older water mill building. Those who stay on the alternative route heading north from Lahde should not miss the Westphalian Stork Museum in Windheim. Here, you can cross the Weser with the PetraSolara, the only solar ferry in North Rhine-Westphalia (observe ferry times!) and then continue on the left/western bank of the Weser heading north towards Stolzenau.

Otherwise, stay on the right/eastern bank of the Weser and head north via Döhren and Heimsen with its Herring Fisher Museum. Passing gravel pits, you reach Leese. Here, the church and the historical draw well are worth seeing. Then cross the Weser bridge again and arrive in Stolzenau.

Safety instructions:
Throughout the tour, it is advised that the cycle paths are used at your own risk. No guarantee is given for the usability of the cycle paths. In the cities, there is generally increased attention required. Please use existing cycle paths. Be aware of potential hazards on the tour, such as bollards, barriers, and unsecured crossings of federal roads - this warning particularly applies to families cycling with small children.