Rübenroute

Cycling and the turnip tuber

Sugar turnip syrup, turnip vegetables or turnip gratin - turnip tubers are packed with vitamins and minerals and make a valuable contribution to the health of young and old alike.
For a long time, the healthy tuber was banned from the kitchen. How good that it has been making a comeback in recent years and is even inspiring star chefs to create delicious gourmet dishes.
The variety of turnips is huge, whether Gatower Kugel, Bayerische Rübe or Mairübe, they all impress with their fine taste, high nutritional value and low calorie content.
Cyclists don't have to worry about calories anyway. You'll be tripping away a large portion on every cycle tour.

To the beetroot on the cycle route

The beetroot route runs through the fertile Lippe region and starts in Bad Salzuflen. On the 39 km cycle route, you will discover the historic salt boiling town and the vacation region of Bad Salzuflen, the Lippe estates where beet is still grown today. The well-known LWL Museum Ziegelei Lage (near Holzhausen-Sylbach) and the Heerser Mühle Environmental Center, whose grounds are open all year round for environmental education and nature-oriented living, are well worth a visit.

From the Paulinenquelle to the beet field

After leaving the Paulinenquelle at the Salzhof in the direction of the train station, we wonder how many beet fields we will see on the way. 10, 30 or even 60 fields?
On low-traffic and flat cycle paths, we pedal through the agricultural Lippe region and districts of Bad Salzuflen.
The Salzuflen district of Lockhausen is a popular location for poppy blossoms, especially in spring. The poppies bloom not only in the familiar red color, but also in bright purple!
In between, we also discover beet fields and the beet signposts that guide us along the Beet Route. You can also cycle the route in the opposite direction. The signposts will guide you reliably in both directions.

Bird trail in the middle of the Bexter Forest

After leaving Lockhausen behind us, we reach the Bexter Forest on the right in just a few kilometers. The species-rich vegetation attracts numerous insects, birds and micro-organisms.
The 1.5 km loop makes us listen, pause and observe. Which bird is chirping? This bird trail reveals exciting nature puzzles to the cyclist.

Hovedissen: Estate and half-timbered buildings

Before our next stop in Leopoldshöhe, we cycle past the estate in Hovedissen, which was mentioned in documents as early as 1226. On the grounds of the typical Lippehof farm with whitewashed walls and half-timbered buildings, the focus is on beet all year round. The farm is mainly dedicated to agriculture, seed breeding and biotechnological research.
The turnip has even made it onto the coat of arms of the municipality of Leopoldshöhe.
On our circular tour, we pass the market square in Leopoldshöhe with its stately church and diverse range of restaurants. For a short break, we treat ourselves to a delicious ice cream from an ice cream parlor.
Next, we visit the lovingly designed local history museum at the former Eickmeyer farm. The half-timbered house dating back to 1793 is well worth a visit and houses exhibits and display boards with background information on agriculture, beet and vegetable growing. We stand in front of the equipment in amazement and learn what the farmers used the tools for.

Course to Lage

After the excursion, we cycle towards Lage through Krentruperhagen, past Ohrsen and encounter the River Werre before reaching the city centre.

Sights in Lage (Lippe)

In the bicycle-friendly and modern city centre of Lage, you can marvel at the two-storey town hall. According to initial plans by the Detmold master builder Merckel, the remarkable oriel was also to be topped with a tower. However, this was never carried out. From 1904 to 1905, the building was rebuilt by master builder Gustav Meßmann from Lage. You can still admire the higher roof truss, the ridge turrets and the town hall clock today.
A historic prison house, once the Kroos cottage, is located on "Der Plaß" between Rhienstraße and Friedrichstraße. The lovingly restored cottage with house number 1 is now home to the Lage branch of the Lippischer Heimatbund. The blooming, idyllic garden next to the house is particularly worth seeing in the summer. This is where master brickmakers and brick workers once signed their employment contracts.

Ziegeleimuseum Lage

After touring the town of Lage, we get back on our bikes and pedal around 5 km to the north.
The LWL Museum Ziegelei Lage is located on the historic site of the former brickworks from the 20th century on the edge of the Holzhausen-Sylbach district. Initially, the bricks were produced by hand. Later, they switched to machine production.
The history of brick production, the production and firing of bricks, as well as the former home of the founder Gustav Beermann can be visited as part of a tour.
The outdoor terrace at the museum entrance is a great place to relax after the tour and making your own brick. Whether for coffee and cake, an ice cream or something savory, the kitchen crew sweetens every stay at the LWL-Museum Ziegelei Lage.

Pedaling along the riverbank

The bikes roll along the Werre to the next stop.
On the way, we discover beetroot and vegetable fields as far as the eye can see to the right and left of the cycle path. Have you counted how many beet fields there are along the cycle path?

After a few minutes, we reach one of the last highlights of the beet route, the Heerser Mühle environmental center.
At the mill site, immerse yourself in the power source of nature and observe the pond through a wickerwork, marvel at the busy bees at their bee hotels or listen to the Werre river while you stand in the water on the shallow bank for refreshment.
The association "Umweltzentrum Heerser Mühle e. V." is the sponsor of the environmental center and a non-profit, recognized provider of independent youth welfare services. The Environmental Center has been committed to nature conservation and environmental education for many years.

Experiencing healthy vegetable diversity

We pedal eagerly once again for the last few kilometers along the Werre. We descend briefly at the Hoffmannswiesen meadows to learn interesting facts about the fruit tree varieties and the successful renaturation measures of the Bega at the fruit nature trail.
From the Bega-Bad, the cycle path winds the last few meters into the city centre to the Salzhof.
After this impressive beet tour along numerous beet and vegetable fields, a visit to the surrounding inns and restaurants for a fine meal is tempting. Perhaps the restaurant will serve you a turnip vegetable or gratin?

The cycle tour along the turnip route not only raises awareness of regional vegetable cultivation, but also about old, local vegetables that are welcome to find their place on your plate more often.