Paderborner Land Route
250 km through the Paderborner Land
Stage 4
From Bad Wünnenberg via Büren to Borchen
This stage takes you from the wooded hills around Bad Wünnenberg down into the Alme Valley and onwards through historic towns and villages to Borchen. Along the way, peaceful woodland, sweeping views and impressive historic buildings provide plenty of variety. Take your time to explore a few places along the route, as there’s lots to discover along the way.
Route information:
Total distance: 60 km
Start: Bad Wünnenberg, Aatal
End: Borchen, Mallinckrodthof
Surface:
- 75% asphalt
- 23% compacted gravel
- 2% natural surface
Bad Wünnenberg
Through the Aatal Valley to the Aabach Reservoir
Leaving Bad Wünnenberg, the route first takes you to Bleiwäsche, the highest village in the Paderborner Land. You’ll cycle through the green Aatal Valley before reaching the Aabach Reservoir, surrounded by extensive woodland. The peaceful scenery makes a lovely start to this stage.
Once you reach Bleiwäsche, you can enjoy sweeping views towards the Sauerland. From there, the route follows the Lühlingsbach stream downhill into the Alme Valley, whose varied landscapes accompany you for the rest of the ride.
Büren
Castle ruins, Baroque architecture and Wewelsburg Castle
Büren has a rich and eventful history, which is still visible in many parts of the town today. Above the Alme Valley, the remains of a castle recall times gone by. In the town centre, the Baroque Jesuit Church and the former Jesuit college are particularly impressive. The historic mills also tell the story of how important water once was to local crafts and industry.
A detour to Wewelsburg Castle is well worth the effort, too. This striking triangular castle is unique of its kind in Germany. Its exhibitions offer fascinating insights into the history of the castle and the surrounding region.
Borchen
Where two rivers meet
Beyond Büren, the route continues through villages with their own distinctive character and rural charm before reaching Borchen. Here, it’s worth stopping at the Mallinckrodthof, an impressive half-timbered building dating from the 17th century.
Nearby, the Rivers Altenau and Alme meet. The Altenau, whose source you passed on an earlier stage, flows into the Alme here. It’s a lovely spot to pause for a moment before continuing your cycling tour.