Pivitker Wasserweg

We started the Pivitker Water Trail directly at the Donoper Pond parking lot. Sandy paths first led us past Donoper Pond to the smaller Krebsteich (crab pond). From there, the trail climbed up into the forest. We kept to the right and soon reached the viewing platform at Hiddeser Bent, which offered us a view of the moorland landscape nestled in the middle of the forest. From the viewing platform, we retraced our steps and a short while later turned onto the Panorama Trail. This led through the forest back to Donoper Pond and past the Eisenquelle (iron spring), continuing through the beautiful Hasselbach Valley toward the Hasselbach Reservoir. The stream could be crossed at several points using stepping stones, which we naturally tried out. We crossed the reservoir over a bridge, and on the other side of the main road, the Blaue See (Blue Lake) was hidden in the forest. We then strolled back along the left bank of the lake toward the starting point.

Pleasant, varied hike with beautiful natural scenery!

Today the weather is just as wonderful as yesterday. We're walking the Pivitker Wasserweg, another beautiful route through the Teutoburg Forest.

Beautiful forest paths with a pond, stream, and lake. A varied route.

The Pivitker Waterway connects idyllic lakes, meandering streams and the Hiddeser Bent moor over a comparatively short distance and has been certified as a quality path. So my expectations were quite high when I started at the parking lot. The weather report had somehow misunderstood my plan to follow a waterway. And so a good shower had left small streams on the hiking trail, which now lead me in the direction of the Donoper pond. But here our paths separate again, because from here I follow my waymarks. Within sight of the Hasselbach I continue on springy paths and quickly reach the Krebsteich. A big dog had just used it as a bathtub and is now preparing to shake the wetness out of the fur right next to me. So hurry on! At a fork in the road I go straight ahead because I don't want to miss the Hiddeser Bent. The last few meters lead over a wooden footbridge and then I stand on the edge of the moor. I enjoy this peaceful place for a few minutes and then go back to the intersection. This time I turn off and on a beautiful forest path with occasional stumbling roots, it goes back to the Donoper pond. This time I follow the Hasselbach in the other direction and soon stand at an artistic source in a striking orange. Sure, that must be the source of iron, whose bright color now shines in the first notable rays of the sun of the day. The Hasselbach remains my companion, flowing next to me sometimes close and sometimes at a distance. When it merges into a canal, its soft murmuring ends before the brook rushes noisily over a step into the Hasselbach reservoir. Here I leave my companion, but soon find a new one in the form of the Blue Stream. I meet him at the picturesque Blue Lake and follow his course for a bit until my path turns back towards the parking lot. And what can I say: my expectations of the quality route were met! You can find a lot more tips and information about hiking in the Teutoburg Forest in my current blog post: https://www.couchaway.de/teutoburger-wald-wandern/

Our 29th wedding anniversary was today - 11.8.24 - on this very hot Sunday, like the previous days - around 27 degrees. Yes, we decided to take this tour despite the 1.5 hour drive to Detmold because the Teutoburg Forest is said to be very water-rich ;-) I wanted to go there last year. @couchflucht liked the tour, so we're following it. She's right when she says that the region has survived the hot summer better than many others. We also took a look at the moor. When we arrived at the two parking lots near Hidessen/Detmold we were really surprised - almost completely full! There is actually a kiosk with shady seating and ice cream as well as fries, bratwurst and ketchup. We've never experienced that before - OK, there was no cell reception here, nor were the countless mountain bikers on the route. There were lots of hikers, including those with dogs. A little further on we found a restaurant called Forstfrieden. At the end of the tour we had our beloved non-alcoholic wheat beer there. As we didn't know which route to choose, we went to the Donoperteich nature reserve, which the dogs love to cool off in. So you won't find a long tour here, but there are narrow paths, a hilly character, lots of sandy paths with roots and you'll find streams and lakes everywhere - there's nothing better in this heat! We see the iron spring - the water at the rust-red bubbling mushroom, the dogs were in it of course, like in everything that's nice and cool ;-) At a stream, lots of donkey guides come after us and unfortunately they couldn't stop because they still had a lot to do today. **I was REALLY excited** The water follows us almost everywhere, and later more water again. The raised bog was impressive, the paths were inspiring. The water, how I would love to have something similar in Kassel. The Hasselbach and the Hasselbach reservoir were near us - this landscape is unique! The Krebsteich was a little streaky. The vegetation and the birds can be seen and heard - greenfinches, nuthatches, bramblings and many more. These 6 km are not a long tour, if you want to change that, you can walk the Hermannshöhen together with the Eggeweg - brilliant for a vacation, because there is sure to be accommodation nearby! Quite a lot of photos of the short tour. Information about the Donoperteich nature reserve, the Hasselbach reservoir, the Blauer See, the Krebsteich. The raised moor "Hiddeser Bent" https://www.naturpark-teutoburgerwald.de/attraction/hiddeser-bent/ A longer route through the Hermannshöhen and the Eggeweg https://hermannshoehen.teutoburgerwald.de/ Rosenhof and donkey hikes: https://www.rosenhof-lippe.com/ Completely described tour: https://www.unsere-pfoten.de/hunde/2024/fotos-11-8-24.htm

A taste of pure autumn. It got quite muddy towards the end, but otherwise the trails were great.👍

Start and finish: Schwarzenbrink bus stop, Pivitsheide The Pivitker Wasserweg, formerly known as the A1, complements the Hermannshöhen wonderfully! Above all, the beautiful brook valleys below the Donoper pond and the forests are very beautiful here! A perfect short walk.