Rundwanderweg Nr. 4 durch das Brakeler Bergland von Brakel über Bökendorf und Bellersen wieder zurück nach Brakel auf den Spuren von Annette von Droste Hülshoff

Circular hiking trail no. 4, Brakel-Bökendorf-Bellersen-Brakel

This circular hiking trail takes you through Bökendorf and the model tourist village of Bellersen.

The hiking trail starts at the car park at the Kaiserbrunnen fountain in Brakel. You walk along the cemetery of honour.

First you walk along the outside of the cemetery or along the edge of the forest. Then you walk uphill in the forest until you reach the tarmac path. A few metres to the left is the Schneekapelle chapel. It dates back to 1844 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

If you don't want to visit the chapel, cross the tarmac path and continue straight ahead through the forest. You leave the forest and before you lies the wide Bökendorf valley, which continues southwards via Hainhausen and Modexen. Beyond the valley, the Bökerberg, Wüllenberg and Modexer Holz form an impressive backdrop.

Now walk down to Bökendorf, cross the village first mentioned in 965 and follow the Höxterschen Weg uphill into the Feldmark to the height of the Wüllenberg. From this high point, you can see Bökendorf in the valley, Bellersen further to the west and the Abbenburg estate to the north. In front of you is the historical setting of Annette von Droste Hülshoff's "The Jew's Beech".

Once you have enjoyed the impressive view, continue into the forest and take the turn-off to the left. The circular hiking trail leads you onto a field path near the edge of the forest. From there you walk down into the valley and pass the open-air theatre. A visit to a theatre performance is worthwhile whatever the weather. You can also visit Bökerhof Castle and walk along the arcade used by Annette von Droste Hülshoff and the Brothers Grimm.

After leaving the arcade, the path leads you along Lindenallee and Kreuzweg to the forest, Lämmerkamp. Follow the hiking trail in the forest and when you come out into the open, you will have a view of the wide fields of Bellersen.

Bellersen has been a model tourist village of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia since 1992. Take a closer look at the village and discover the hiking route, the agricultural history circular hiking trail, the sensory experience trail and the many beautiful sights along the way. Once you have visited Bellersen and perhaps had some refreshments, leave the village south of Mühlenkrug and the motorhome harbour via a narrow bridge. Now you walk along the lower slopes of the Rammelsberg. Enjoy the view of the Brucht valley.

The trail leads you, always along the valley slope, through the forest, past the Sengenthal forester's lodge towards Brakel. Then the trail slowly climbs again to the ridge on which the Hinnenburg castle towers. Descend to the Kaiserbrunnen fountain and return to your starting point on the familiar path.