Bad Wünnenberg Radtour WÜ 8

The cycle paths around Bad Wünnenberg marked with the red and white NRW cycle signs (labeled WÜ =Bad Wünnenberg 1 to 8) vary in length from 9 km to 25.1 km. They lead partly through meadows and fields but also through forests around Bad Wünnenberg. Most of them are asphalted and therefore easy to cycle on.

The WÜ 8 cycle route has a length of 15.1 km. It starts and ends at the Schützenhalle in Bleiwäsche. The route runs mainly through forest, with a section through Bleiwäsche and a section along the Aabach dam. The changing landscapes and natural areas make the route varied and interesting. Between Bleiwäsche and the Aabach dam, you will pass a cross erected in memory of a letter carrier who froze to death there in the century before last. Once you reach the Aabach dam, you can enjoy the view over the water. The Glashütte forester's lodge and the Schützenwiese meadow to the south-east of the dam are idyllic places to enjoy the tranquillity of the forest. From the Schützenwiese, the trail climbs steadily uphill to the Schweinskopf. Fitness is required here. At 480 m above sea level, the Schweinskopf is the highest elevation in the Paderborn region. From there, you return to the starting point through Bleiwäsche.

Bleiwäsche is the southernmost district of the town of Bad Wünnenberg. The name of the village of Bleiwäsche refers to its foundation as a mining village. Promising lead and silver ores were discovered and mined at the beginning of the 16th century. For several centuries, hard mining was an important source of income for the inhabitants, whose main concern, in addition to earning a living, was the supply of water. Due to the high location of the village, the springs were not productive enough. In dry times up until the 1970s, water was only available for the houses on the higher ground from 6.00 am to 12.00 noon. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. there was water for the lower-lying houses. A municipal servant with a bell went through the village and rang the bell to signal that the water had been turned off.

The sculpture of a "lead washer" on the road through Bleiwäsche symbolizes the history of mining.