Oker cycle path

Day 1 / Torfhaus (Harz) - Vienenburg / 38 km / 350 m elevation gain

From the start of the tour at the National Park Visitor Center "Torfhaus", the route follows the L504 briefly towards Altenau and then forest paths towards Okerstein. The short detour to Okerstein should be done on foot.

Shortly after that, a path about 500 m long leads to the Philipp Bridge (push the bike if necessary) along the course of the Oker. Following the forest path downhill is the Dammgraben with an information point about the Oker’s water catchment.

Directly after the mining town Altenau starts the Oker reservoir. The forebay dam is crossed and the reservoir is circumnavigated to its dam in the east.

The next section of almost 6 km through the Oker valley must unfortunately be covered on and along the B498. After a short stop at Romkerhall with the waterfall of the same name, the route leads into the town of Oker.

From Oker, the route continues partly on natural paths along the river, through beautiful landscape amidst gravel ponds, to the first stage destination at Vienenburg. Here, only the Oker must be crossed to visit the Wöltingerode monastery estate. In particular, the salmon info center located in the former mill building relates directly to the Oker.

Overnight recommendation:

Monastery Hotel Wöltingerode

Wöltingerode 3, 38690 Goslar

05324 774460

Day 2 / Vienenburg – Braunschweig / 46 km / 110 m elevation gain

On the morning of the second day, the tour leads through Vienenburg, past the Vienenburg lake towards Wiedelah. Those who want to continue enjoying nature can also cycle left along the Oker behind the Oker bridge.

After passing under the motorway, the direction changes to north and a field path runs parallel to the railway line to Schladen. The local heritage museum and telegraph station 22 are directly on the route, and shortly after we reach the imperial palace Werla.

The Oker is then crossed four more times before reaching the city center of Wolfenbüttel around noon. In the Lessing city, a longer break is recommended, as over 900 years of city history await discovery. The approximately 1,000 half-timbered houses, palace, Herzog August Library, Lessing House, marketplace with old town hall, and main church represent the many impressive buildings.

In the late afternoon, the last approx. 15 km of the day's stage lead to Braunschweig. With the Oker virtually always in sight, the route leads along the south bank into the city of Heinrich the Lion. It impresses as a vibrant cultural city, where history can be experienced both in the winding alleys of the Magniviertel and around Burgplatz with the Braunschweig Lion, Dankwarderode Castle, cathedral, and old town hall.

Overnight recommendation:

B&B Hotel Braunschweig-City

Frankfurter Str. 289, 38122 Braunschweig

0531 88617890

Day 3 / Braunschweig – Müden (Aller) / 42 km / 80 m elevation gain

On the morning of the third stage day, Braunschweig is left along the Oker riverbank heading north, past Ölper lake the route leads to the Mittelland Canal with Braunschweig harbor and the Oker siphon located about 600 m west of the canal bridge in sight. The short detour there is worthwhile as it is impressive to see how the Oker disappears under the Mittelland Canal.

Between Walle and Groß Schwülper, the Schunter flows into the Oker and supplies the river with additional water. After passing through Neubrück and Didderse, a detour to the Nightingale Valley is possible in Hillerse. Those who take this approx. 2 km long path are rewarded with a charming valley along the Oker riverbank.

Back on the main route, shortly before Volkse, the old arm of the Oker with its associated information point follows, and in Seershausen the resting place Upp'n Brink invites you to linger by the Oker riverbank.

Arriving in Meinersen, the nature trail of the Aller-Oker Salmon Association offers diverse information about the animal and plant world.

The mighty weir system in Müden dams the Oker for the last time before it flows shortly after into the Aller. From the Gloystein Bridge, there is a good view of the Aller, Oker, and the Oker weir.

The 126 km long Oker cycle path ends at the local history museum in Müden (Aller). From here, it is just under 16 km on the Aller cycle path to the station in Gifhorn.