Our tour starts at the Geopark Information Center in Königslutter am Elm, which presents various exhibitions on four floors. We first cycle northwards along Bahnhofstraße. After the main station, we cross the railway line and follow it a bit to the left until we reach the town of Lauingen. Via streets and country roads, we cycle to Bornum and from there continue over open areas to Abbenrode. The local museum, which is directly on our route, is as worth seeing as the mill café, where it is worthwhile to stop. The tour leads us past a chapel to Destedt. Here are Destedt Castle and Castle Park, which make a worthwhile photo motive. Both locations are primarily used for corporate events or weddings. From Destedt, we continue to Hemkenrode and from there via country roads to Veltheim (Ohe). Veltheim Castle, built in the style of a water castle, lies idyllically to our right and can be visited by prior arrangement. Historical interest continues at Lucklum Manor in the next town. Guided tours and a café offer opportunities to explore the old buildings. We take the L 629 to Erkerode and turn right in the middle of the town. Then we cycle left into the street “Zum Westhölzchen” and then left again towards the forest. We follow the path along the forest edge turning right and now on a stretch of several kilometers have the Elm Lappwald Nature Park, the largest beech forest in northern Germany, on our left and an idyllic view over fields, meadows, orchards, and villages on our right. At the next crossroads, we keep right and cycle through the villages of Ampleben and Kneitlingen to Schöppenstedt. A visit to the Till Eulenspiegel Museum should definitely be planned. The town center with the town hall is also worth seeing. From here, we cycle westwards through Jasperstraße to St. Mary’s Church and then continue northwards via various side streets, crossing the K 11. Over country roads and open areas, we cycle continuously northwards towards the Elm Lappwald Nature Park, described as the largest and most beautiful beech forest in northern Germany. Under the canopy of the majestic beeches, one can especially enjoy hot summer days in the shade. At the first intersection, we turn left to the Tetzelstein monument, dedicated to the Dominican monk Johann Tetzel and a nice photo opportunity. We then turn left onto the L 290, shortly after which we follow the L 629 to the right for a short stretch. At the next parking area, we follow the path to the right and continue steadily uphill through the dense beech forest. At the next fork, we turn right and continue uphill into the forest. Alternatively, we can turn left and make a detour to the Reitling Inn in the Elm. From there, even outside opening times, there is a beautiful view of the idyllic Reitling Valley. We continue cycling northeast towards Königslutter am Elm. Along the way, we pass the Hainholz adventure quarry, where, with some luck, fossils from the Older Muschelkalk period can be found. Passing Lutterspring, we finally return to the urban area. We cycle leisurely through the park and past the Kaiserdom until we reach the Geopark Information Center again in a northern direction.
