Alfsee Tour

The rabbit is a harmless creature and you can let it run freely in the Osnabrück Land without any worries. The hare, however, is a wild animal that needs to be tamed and controlled space. That's why we have the Alfsee. For decades, it has been buffering extreme water levels from the Ems tributary and has evolved into a natural refuge for numerous animal and plant species. This information is provided by the Biological Station Haseniederung in the nature garden on the north shore.
On the eastern shore, the popular Alfsee holiday and adventure park was created with a beach, water skiing facility, and the Germanenland, which brings to life the daily life of the locals around 2,000 years ago.

The Alfsee tour combines both aspects of the lake and also takes a charming detour to the north. Those who follow the circular route clockwise will first reach Alfhausen after a short drive, with its Gothic St. Johannis Church and the Schmiesing Forge. The historical artisan workshop opened around the year 1900 and is now maintained and cared for by the local heritage association.

The journey continues through the gently rolling Geest landscape of the Ankumer Höhe towards Bersenbrück. A longer stop is worthwhile in the historic town, especially for a visit to the museum in the monastery, which was extensively renovated in 2018. The interactive exhibition in the former Cistercian nunnery tells the history of the place from the founding of the monastery in 1231 to the present day.
On the way out of Bersenbrück, the cycling tour crosses the Hase River, which remains visible for part of the return journey to the Alfsee. However, the route bypasses three exceptional gardens that lie along the river. At the Dominican nunnery "Zum gekreuzigten Erlöser," 20 rose-covered wayside shrines recall the life of Jesus and Mary. Rohdes Heuerhaus offers a beautiful garden café for a break. And at the "Secret Garden" - almost within sight of the Alfsee - a brief look at the magnificent rose collection is worthwhile. While the garden is private, guests are welcome with prior phone reservation.

By the way, some of the waterways that the cycle path follows or crosses along the way belong to the inland delta, where the Hase River branches out here and further north. But thanks to the Alfsee and its protection against flooding, the Alte and Hohe Hase rivers still rarely flood into the gardens, unlike the shy hare.