The best walks and hikes around Wetschen

The well-maintained boardwalk is quite short, but leads through the waterlogged core zone of the moor, accompanied by frog sounds, the call of the cuckoo and bird sightings. The boardwalk should definitely be taken. Above all, for hikers of circular path I, this arc via circular path IV is more worthwhile than the connecting path marked with I.

The information pavilion is boarded up, offering weather protection. During the break, you can enjoy the view of the moor or listen to a 3-minute audio guide, which can be accessed via QR code, but even by phone with no reception!

Have you ever seen a sky-blue moor frog? Or how the cotton balls of cotton grass sway in the breeze? Here in the "Oppenweher Moor" you can experience rare animals and plants in all their diversity and beauty! Various circular hiking trails allow you to explore the moor and meadow landscape. In the "Moorblick" information pavilion, you can learn more about the history of the moor. Guided excursions with a moor expert are available upon registration at the Stemwede Tourist Information Center. The birdwatching stand offers a protected view over an artificially created body of water into the central part of the moor. Start from the Moormann parking lot or the Schafstall parking lot. https://www.teutoburgerwald.de/natur/in-der-natur/tour/oppenweher-moor-rundwanderweg-i-rot

The climatological measuring tower in the Oppenweher Moor is used to monitor the effects of climate change on peatland ecosystems. Natural peatlands hold a lot of water and can store large amounts of carbon. Their drying out – either due to human activity or climate change – causes the stored carbon to be released into the atmosphere. Water loss also reduces the habitat for animal species that depend on these ecosystems. Peatlands are still being destroyed in all parts of the world. Here in Germany, well over 90 percent of peatlands are affected. Healthy peatlands are being lost ten times faster than they are growing worldwide. "The measuring tower is intended to determine how much water evaporates and how much CO2 the ecosystem absorbs each year." Sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere is important to prevent further global warming. The researchers have set up a high-precision system that continuously measures over 50 variables, such as CO2 and water flux, air temperature, radiation, precipitation, soil moisture, and much more, every minute (and sometimes tens of times per second) over several years. The Lower Nature Conservation Authority of the Minden-Lübbecke district is using the project results to better protect the Oppenweher Moor in future drought and heat conditions. Improvements in the water balance can thus strengthen the moor's function as a home to endangered species and as a nature experience area for the region's people. The popular observation of crane migration in the autumn moor is just one example of many. https://www.minden-luebbecke.de/Service/Forschungsprojekt-Klimawandel-im-Moor%C3%B6kosystem.php?object=tx,1891.27.1&ModID=7&FID=2832.5731.1&NavID=2832.2&La=1

looks picturesque and the feet stay dry

good resting place

The bird watching stand offers a good, covered view of the "Oppenweher Moor" nature reserve. You can get up there via the barrier-free staircase with anti-slip strips and round stainless steel handrails and, with a bit of luck, you can even see cranes here in the autumn. https://www.naturpark-duemmer.de/naturpark-duemmer/infrastruktur/aussichtstuerme.html

The birdwatching platform offers a good, sheltered view of the "Oppenweher Moor" nature reserve. Accessible via a low-barrier staircase with anti-slip strips and a round stainless steel handrail, you can even spot cranes here in autumn. https://www.naturpark-duemmer.de/naturpark-duemmer/infrastruktur/aussichtstuerme.html