Börde Hamster Tour
This cycle route covers the region north of the Bode and west of the Saale and Elbe rivers in two circuits of different sizes.
The Magdeburger Börde, which is crossed here to the south of Magdeburg, is a flat, fertile lowland with few trees and some of the most productive soil in Germany. A 19th century proverb (Bördeplatt) lists eleven villages in the eastern part of the Magdeburger Börde:
Schtemmern, Biere, Barendorp, Zens, Mühlinge, Eickendorp, Brumby and Glete, Illnitz and Festede; Atzendorp is ok there; shouldn't there be eleven there?
Three of these villages are located on the Bördehamster cycle path. But why did the Bördehamster give this cycle path its name? The Bördehamster is, of course, the field hamster, which is particularly at home in areas with loess and clay soil and therefore finds the best conditions in the Börde.
Along the Bördehamster cycle path, you can discover the wide landscape with views as far as the horizon - no forest or mountain blocks the view -, the typical Börde villages with large farmsteads enclosed by high walls and gates, some mills and the large churches, because Börde farmers were rich. But there are also gems to marvel at, such as the village of Wespen with its timber-frame church. The route is linked to the Elbe cycle path near Schönebeck and Barby and the Saale cycle path near Barby and Calbe. You can visit the Bad Salzelmen brine baths, the Eickendorf Museum of Soil Appraisal, the local history museum in Calbe or enjoy a refreshing dip in the Barby lake park. Headgear is recommended for hot days, as shade is a rare commodity in this landscape.
Northern loop: 48
kmSouthern loop: 15 kmGrand
loop: 61 km