Erlesene Natur: Netheradweg

The Netheradweg can be cycled in both directions and is well signposted.  The basic character of the route is flat to slightly hilly. There is a slightly longer ascent between Bad Driburg and Neuenheerse, otherwise there are always shorter passages (50 - max. 300 m) uphill and downhill, which can be mastered by experienced cyclists without pushing. The cycle path is almost entirely asphalted and mostly runs on separate paths away from or alongside the road. Where roads are used directly, they are mostly free of traffic. Even on passages next to busy roads, the traffic noise is hardly disturbing as the cycle path is mostly in the noise shadow and often runs at a different level.

You can end your ride at the terminus or at the intermediate stations of Willebadessen, Brakel, Ottbergen and Godelheim and return to your starting point by train. The route passes through several villages with catering facilities. There are also various places to eat and drink. At weekends, the bistro at the Weidenpalais in Rheder is also usually open. There are various places to picnic - at picnic areas or on a picnic blanket on the banks of the Nethe.

The following describes the route downstream, from Bad Driburg station to Höxter station.

After a short ride from the station, the route turns off into a quiet residential area and leads out of Bad Driburg. A cycle path alongside the road allows for a stress-free ride on the left-hand side of the main road. After just 3.5 kilometers, the cycle path turns away from the road into the forest. This section on the edge of the Eggegebirge mountains is the only longer passage (3.5 km) through the forest, otherwise the route mostly runs through open countryside. We pass the Antonius Chapel and cross Neuenheerse. It is only here that the Nethe rises from three springs in the Egge and is dammed up in a small lake just behind the village (no bathing facilities). You then cycle through the Nethe valley on a farm track with fruit trees. The Egge stretches out to the right, the heights of the "Kalktriften Willebadessen" adventure area to the left. In Willebadessen, you should make a detour to the imposing monastery with its sculpture park. The meadow of the sculpture park is ideal for a first rest.

After Willebadessen, the trail approaches the course of the Nethe. There are also places to picnic at the edge of the extensive meadows. You cross the Nethe at kilometer 20 and cycle parallel to the district road, albeit slightly below it, so that the sporadic traffic does not disturb you any further. Between Gut Haversen and Fölsen there is a gravel section about 200 m long, but it is easy to cycle on. In Fölsen, a little caution is advised when crossing the road, then continue on a quiet path through the Nethe floodplain, which is framed here by meadows and pastures.

In Niesen, you leave the path, which is only permitted for cyclists, and use the quiet through-town route, past the imposing church. Here the route changes back to the other side of the Nethes. The valley widens, the Nethe floodplain with its meadows is now on the left and you cycle along the edge of the forest for the next 5 kilometers. Shortly before Siddessen, you cross the river again. In summer, you can watch the damselflies fighting for territory from the bridge. Immediately afterwards, there is a weir with an idyllic meadow for a rest. Immediately afterwards, shortly before entering Siddessen, there is a short steep climb up to the main road, which you leave again after 400 m to the left into the village (take care when crossing the road!) to cross the village on quiet paths.

Now it is only 2.5 km to the "Weidenpalais im Nethetal". Just after entering Rheder, leave the cycle path to the left and take the signposted alternative route through the landscape park. You should definitely take a look at the lively Weidenpalais building. It was built in around 6 weeks by 300 helpers using only muscle power and is now greening itself. The extensive surrounding meadow and the riverbank on the Nethe call for a rest. The restaurant is open at weekends.

In the landscape park, you move a little away from the Nethe again and follow the barely used and ascending road towards Riesel. The B252/B64 intersection is very close here, but does not interfere with us on the cycle path; we pass under the roads through small tunnels and are guided away from them.

Another nice picnic spot awaits at the Nethe bridge near Brakel, also with a sunbathing lawn and riverbank. After passing Brakel, the route crosses a daring-looking wooden bridge and crosses under the B64 again, followed by an approx. 200m long ascent and an equally long descent. At the information board, it is worth taking a detour to the left onto the farm track, which reaches the banks of the Nethe after 150m. Here you will find a sunny picnic area with the option of descending into the water.

Crossing the town of Erkeln requires a little attention, as you have to cycle on the main road for around 50 m before the path continues into the Nethe floodplain towards Hembsen. Here, too, there is another bridge, this time with a shady picnic area and a children's playground. As you continue in the direction of Bruchhausen/Ottbergen, you cross the "Kalkmagerrasen bei Ottbergen" adventure area. The cycle path here is part of the 13 km long circular hiking trail "Wege der Vielfalt" (Paths of Diversity) over the heights on both sides of the Nethe Valley. If you follow the road in Ottbergen behind the village church for approx. 50 m in a southerly direction, you will reach another lovely picnic area right by the river. However, the cycle path leads you to the left towards Amelunxen. Here you cross under the Ottbergen-Göttingen railroad line, which leads over an impressive steel bridge.

A little caution is again required when passing through Amelunxen, as cars and bikes have to share the road. The route then leads flat through the Feldmark, past the outskirts of Godelheim to the Nethe estuary adventure area - with a refuge, landscape loungers and access to the water, it is ideal for a rest. This is where the Nethelauf ends at the mouth of the Weser and the cycle path joins the busy Weser long-distance cycle path.

Now you are just 5 km from your destination of Höxter. On the left is the Godelheimer Seen recreational area with campsite and bathing areas, on the right is the Weser and you have a view of attractive estates on the banks of the Weser in Boffzen. If you want to wash off the sweat from the tour, you should take the opportunity to do so at the bathing lake, which even has a sandy beach here - Höxter train station is just one kilometer away.

The tour is easy to manage with any type of bike. A gear change is useful on the few steep climbs. Electric assistance is helpful here, but not absolutely necessary. If the climbs are too steep for you, you can easily push the mostly short sections. Although you will pass through various towns, you should take food and drink with you due to the different opening times and lunch breaks of the stores. You can get a safe lunch in Brakel, but you have to leave the cycle path and go into the town (approx. 2km).

Follow the national signs to Bad Driburg, the train station is signposted within the town. The same applies to a start in Höxter.

In Bad Driburg, free parking spaces are available at the train station and at the tourist information office, approx. 150m from the train station. In Höxter there is a parking space on the right bank of the Weser next to the motorhome port.

Bicycles can be taken on the train without any problems. All information can be found at: https://www.nordwestbahn.de/de/ostwestfalen/service/fahrradmitnahme

A little caution is advised on the roads through Siddessen, Erkeln and Amelunxen, as there is a little more traffic here. You should also expect (albeit rarely) to encounter local traffic on the apparently unused farm roads.