Around the Koerfer spring, guests and hikers can expect a higher viewing platform, a picnic seating area, a stream and various information boards on the history of the once so important spring.
Our tip: The 7.3 km long Koerfer-Weg leads you from the Herste Schützenhaus directly to the Koerfer spring and back again. The popular circular hiking trail also takes you along the herb and fruit tree nature trail.
The history of the Koerfer spring
Anno 1910 | Restored 2011
The history of the Koerfer spring began in 1908 with the decision of the villages of Riesel, Istrup, Herste and Schmechten to build a central water supply.
In the district of Herste, a meadow of around 3700 square meters in the Eschbach valley was purchased for 1000 gold marks. The meadow was located near the Bollermühle mill and had a strong spring. The spring was named the Koerfer spring in honor of the deserving and popular district administrator Karl Koerfer, who held this office from 1887 to 1917.
After 40 years, the water from the Koerfer spring was no longer sufficient to supply the connected communities and several deep wells were drilled in Riesel and Schmechten. When the water quality of the Koerfer spring no longer met the drinking water guidelines of the time in 1963, it was taken off the network completely.
Thanks to the voluntary work of some hikers and local history enthusiasts from Bad Driburg and Herste, the Koerfer spring was extensively restored in 2011 and the surrounding area was upgraded!
Our tip: The 7.3 km long Koerfer-Weg leads you from the Herste Schützenhaus directly to the Koerfer spring and back again. The popular circular hiking trail also takes you along the herb and fruit tree nature trail.
The history of the Koerfer spring
Anno 1910 | Restored 2011
The history of the Koerfer spring began in 1908 with the decision of the villages of Riesel, Istrup, Herste and Schmechten to build a central water supply.
In the district of Herste, a meadow of around 3700 square meters in the Eschbach valley was purchased for 1000 gold marks. The meadow was located near the Bollermühle mill and had a strong spring. The spring was named the Koerfer spring in honor of the deserving and popular district administrator Karl Koerfer, who held this office from 1887 to 1917.
After 40 years, the water from the Koerfer spring was no longer sufficient to supply the connected communities and several deep wells were drilled in Riesel and Schmechten. When the water quality of the Koerfer spring no longer met the drinking water guidelines of the time in 1963, it was taken off the network completely.
Thanks to the voluntary work of some hikers and local history enthusiasts from Bad Driburg and Herste, the Koerfer spring was extensively restored in 2011 and the surrounding area was upgraded!
Good to know
Directions & Parking facilities
From the "Bad Driburg, Bahnhof" stop, follow Bahnhofstraße for about 200m before turning right onto Brunnenstraße and then right again onto Brakeler Straße and follow this road. After about 1.1 km, turn left onto the B64 and follow it for about 3.3 km before turning left onto Heriestiestraße in Herste. Follow this road for 1.3 km and then turn left onto Dorfstraße/Urbanusstraße and then left again onto Rommenhöllerstraße. Follow this road for 200m and then turn right onto Ottberger Straße. Follow this road for 1.6km before turning slightly left and following the road for another 800m. Then turn left onto Alter Postweg and follow it for 200m. Turn slightly right and follow the path until the Koerfer spring comes into view.
Nearby
