Freizeit-Radroute "von Quelle zur Quelle"

On the "from source to source" cycle route from Bielefeld to Paderborn, you will discover the curious Lutter in Bielefeld-Quelle, the green axis of the Sennestadt, the small source valley of the large Ems and the six source basins of the Pader. You cycle through the unique Senneland landscape with its diverse landscapes: clear streams and tranquil lakes, small moors, heathlands and forests. In the Moosheide nature reserve near the Ems springs, you may be lucky enough to see the Senner horses in summer, which have lived here semi-wild since the 12th century.

The route starts in the Quelle district of Bielefeld at the Lutterquelle. In the middle of the 15th century, a canal was built to divert Lutter water to Bielefeld to the north - against the natural southern direction of flow. Since then, the Lutter has existed twice: as the "Weser-Lutter" it flows north into the Weser and as the "Ems-Lutter" south into the Ems.

The Luttertal in the Brackwede district is a very natural green space. Ponds and meadows that were once used for bleaching fabrics have developed into a "wilderness". The Lutter flows on to the Ems and is therefore also known as the Ems-Lutter.

About 1736, the water mill "Niemöllers Mühle" was built on the Ems-Lutter to replace the original Niemöller flour mill from 1535 after it burned down.

The organic urban landscape of Sennestadt was created in the 1950s according to plans by Hans Bernhard Reichow. The Bullerbach stream with its idyllic ponds forms the green axis of this district on the Teutobuger Forest. The cycle route follows the Bullerbach from the mill pond to the source.

The Sennestadthaus stands on a peninsula in the town pond. It was originally planned as the town hall of the town, which was independent until 1973. Today, it serves as the district office and is the cultural center of the district.

On the outskirts of Augustdorf, you can immerse yourself in the wooded dune landscape into which the Furlbach stream has dug deep. The valley of the Furlbach is of unique beauty. The primeval forest-like nature reserve Furlbachtal offers ideal living conditions for many bird and fish species such as dippers, kingfishers, brook lampreys and brown trout.

The Ems has its source on the border between the Senne municipalities of Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock and Hövelhof. Park your bike at the bike park and explore the Ems springs via footbridges and steps. In the approximately 500-metre-long spring area in the Moosheide nature reserve, the water seeps out of the ground in numerous places.

In the Ems Info Centre, you can find out more about the Ems and the Senne landscape. Admission is free.

(!) Detour to the Lippesee (2x 1.0km):

The Lippesee in the Paderborn district of Sande is just one kilometer off the "from source to source" cycle route. The approximately 90-hectare lake offers many opportunities for active leisure activities on and around the water. A seven-kilometre cycle and footpath leads around the lake.

You approach the destination of the "from source to source" cycle route via park paths, past Neuhaus Castle and Lake Paderborn: the Pader springs in the middle of Paderborn. What is probably the shortest river in Germany rises here from over 200 springs, sometimes only recognizable by the rising air bubbles. In the past, the fast-flowing Pader water powered numerous mills, today it invites you to play and linger.

For the way back to the starting point, you can take the Sennebahn, which will take you and your bike from Paderborn main station to Brackwede station and Bielefeld main station in around 50 minutes.