Radenbachtal - Auf sandigen Pfaden durch das Reich der Schnucken

Radenbachtal, Schmale Aue, Döhler Heide, Totengrund, Wilsede and finally the Wilseder Berg. The Radenbachtal heathland loop is a good 20 km long, but entertaining. And it provides a good insight into the varied landscape north of the Wilseder Berg.

Behind the Heide-ErlebnisZentrum at the hiking parking lot, the Heideschleife crosses the Radenbach, which is still very small here. Initially a narrow path in a sparse oak forest. Then a wide, open, gently curving valley. Grass near the stream. Heather and juniper on the slopes. From west to east, the Radenbach stream has formed large bends on its way to the narrow floodplain.

The valley floor to the right is fenced off over long stretches. Wild horses live here. More than 30 Dülmen horses keep the heathland in the Radenbach valley open. The animals, which are genetically closest to the wild horse, bite through pipe grass and wire grass, which deprive the heath of light.

After 3 kilometers in the Radenbach valley, the Heidschnuckenweg branches off, taking the Pastor-Bode-Weg to Wilsede. Shortly after the junction, take the path into the Schmalen Aue valley. Take a short break at the footbridge. Green in all shades. Fresh, clear water. White sand. Bushes, alders, listening to the lapping of the water. Dreaming to the vibrations of the water plants. The path leads through the pine forest to Döhle. The grassy path reaches the edge of the forest. It offers a view of the idyllic meadow. At Döhle, the Heideschleife crosses the Schmale Aue again. The Döhler Heide begins at the sheepfold. Wide, mainly flat heathland.

Then two kilometers through the cool forest. The Totengrund suddenly opens up. Hardly expected perspective from below into the famous valley floor. Along the southern edge of the kettle, the trail climbs up to the viewpoint at the memorial stone for Andreas Thomsen. The view of the Totengrund with its numerous juniper columns is probably the most famous photo motif on Lüneburg Heath.

Wilsede is just under a kilometer away. Half-timbered houses, boulder walls, cobblestones. Heidschnucken bratwurst with heather potatoes or buckwheat sandwiches? The Schlangengrund leads up to the highest point of the Lüneburg Heath, the 169-meter-high Wilseder Berg. Impressive panoramic views, especially to the south-west into the Heide valley. Short, steep descent on the north side of the Wilseder Berg. Pristine landscape with small hollows and numerous junipers. At Hainköpen, mighty oaks and beeches line the edge of the forest. Another short stretch through the heath and finally through the pine forest back to the Undeloh hiking parking lot.

Start: Hiking parking lot Undeloh (Heide-ErlebnisZentrum

Heide-ErlebnisZentrum + Wanderparkplatz Undeloh, Wilseder Straße 23, 21274 Undeloh