Freizeit-Radroute "Bielefelder Silhouetten Nord"

The tour leads along a predominantly flat route to many sights and charming views: city views in Theesen, the viaduct at Obersee, cherry blossoms in the street Auf dem Langen Kampe, Ravensberger Spinnerei and the gables of the old town.

In between, take a break in Bürgerpark, Obersee, the old village of Schildesche, Ravensberger Park or the town center of Heepen!

On the way to the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle, you will cycle through the colourful west of Bielefeld with its Wilhelminian-style houses. From the SchücoArena, you can see the nine slender arches of the entrance façade of the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle to the south of the route. The listed concert hall is located directly next to Bürgerpark, a modern city park with a café.

Quiet paths through green spaces lead to Bielefeld University. The largest of Bielefeld's seven universities was founded in 1969. The university has 25,000 students on 76 degree courses.

Next to the university is the Gartenstadt Wellensiek with 500 apartments. This largely listed housing estate was built from 1927 under the influence of the garden city idea. Today, it is considered a model housing estate within East Westphalia and is unique due to its state of preservation.

From Theesen, you have a beautiful view of the city: the slender towers of St. Mary's Church, over 50 meters high, rise up clearly and distinctly. If you look closely, you can also make out Sparrenburg Castle, Bielefeld's landmark.

You cycle along park paths along the Johannisbach stream towards Obersee. In 936, the wealthy noblewoman Marswidis (meaning "the famous, the strong") founded a convent south of the Johannisbach stream. The village of Schildesche, which has been part of Bielefeld since 1930, grew up around the abbey estate with its eight farms. The Gothic collegiate church from the 13th century is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Walk across the square at the collegiate church (weekly market on Saturday mornings) and through the small Johannisstraße and discover pretty half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries!

At the eastern end of the Obersee, the route leads through one of the 15 preserved arches of the viaduct, which spans the valley of the Johannisbach stream. The railroad viaduct was built in 1847 with 28 arches and a bridge was added in 1917. The total length of the viaduct is 400 meters. It has a height of 18 meters.

Through the floodplains of the Johannisbach and the Lutter you reach the district of Heepen. Haus Milse, the somewhat inconspicuous former manor house and manor of the von Fürstenberg-Stammheim family from the 16th century, is located directly on the Lutter.

You can explore the KulturLand am Schelphof on an adventure trail and view agriculture from different perspectives.

The Radrennbahn is located in the Heeper Fichten recreation area. Opened in 1953, the listed sports facility is considered one of the fastest concrete tracks in Europe due to its high banked curves.

On the way back to the city center, the route leads through a cherry tree avenue that is over a kilometer long. From mid/late April to early May, 200 Japanese cherry trees light up the street Auf dem Langen Kampe in the deepest pink - a popular destination for photo excursions.

In the middle of the city, you will come across an old factory castle. Until the early 1970s, flax was spun into linen yarn in the Ravensberger Spinnerei. A citizens' initiative prevented the impending demolition of the factory building. Today, it is impossible to imagine the cityscape and cultural life without the "Raspi" in  Ravensberger Park. The Ravensberger Spinnerei now houses the adult education center and historical museum and is a popular cultural and event center in the middle of the city. The director's garden next to Villa Huelsmann - the former villa of the spinning mill director - has been restored largely true to the original plans with a pond and fountain.

Just a few meters away is the Kesselbrink, the largest inner-city square in Bielefeld. It used to be called Köttelbrink and was a grazing area for cattle, a spa with baths in the 17th century and later a market square. Today it is a central meeting place with fountains, seating and - as a highlight - the largest inner-city skate park in Germany.

The old town hall, built in 1904 and the official residence of the Lord Mayor, forms the architectural end point of the route. It features a mixture of late Gothic motifs with Renaissance forms. Go into the inner courtyard and find the Hanseatic ship high up on the richly decorated Renaissance gable, which dates back to the 16th century!