The best cycling routes around Obernfeld

The path is marked as "cobblestone", but it is much more rideable!

The route was not destined for a long life: 100 years ago, on November 1, 1911, the Herzberg - Bischofferode section was put into operation. The continuation of the line to Bleicherode Ost had already been opened between 1908 and 1910. After the Second World War, the zonal border divided the route at Zwinge station. On the west side of the route, passenger traffic ended as early as 1961, and freight traffic was discontinued in 1982. On the east side of the route, the part maintained by Deutsche Reichsbahn, passenger traffic between Zwinge and Bischofferode ended in 1972 and, after the closure of the local potash mines in 1993, freight transport also ceased. The year 1998 meant the definitive end of the route with the discontinuation of the section to Bleicherode Ost. Source: https://www.karstwanderweg.de/publika/harz_kur/201011/index.htm

Narrow wooden bridge over the Mühlgraben. Caution, the wood could be slippery when wet.

It's always wonderful to cycle on straight paths without inclines

The Bleicherode–Herzberg railway line was a 41 km long, single-track, non-electrified branch line that served the eastern Eichsfeld and the Ohm Mountains. It connected the Halle–Hann. Münden railway line near Bleicherode with the South Harz line in Herzberg am Harz. It was mainly used for freight transport from several former potash mines, most recently in Bischofferode, and to a former lignite power plant in Rhumspringe. On the Lower Saxony side, the line has been almost completely converted into a cycle path. However, a section is missing in Rhumspringe, as two bridges were demolished beforehand, and the section between the Hilkerode halt and Zwinge station was also not converted due to a parallel field path. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnstrecke_Bleicherode%E2%80%93Herzberg

A special highlight of the municipality of Rhumspringe is the Rhumequelle. It springs from an idyllic location and is one of the largest and most water-rich karst springs in Europe.

Most of the bridges could be used for the cycle path, so cyclists and hikers have a green route with little gradient available. Only in Rhumspringe does the official route lead through the town – the most beautiful, but undeveloped viaduct on the route is left to one side.

The present parish church is at least the third church in Rüdershausen. The massive church, which survived the Thirty Years' War (1618-48) for another 200 years, may have been built at the end of the 15th century. When the old church was built, Rüdershausen had 200 inhabitants. By 1800, this number had already grown to 600, and by the time the current church was being built (1866), the village had 1,000 Catholics. The old church had become far too small for the growing congregation. This was in addition to the poor condition of the church, which had become dilapidated due to age and was now over 350 years old. To save costs, the parish council (established in 1849) initially decided to build a replica of the church in Nesselröden, which had been newly constructed in 1853. Ultimately, however, the architect Tochtermann in Hildesheim was commissioned to design a new church in Rüdershausen. The construction of the present-day church in Rüdershausen, designed by the architect Tochtermann from Hildesheim, was significantly influenced by the hardworking and skilled craftsmen of Rüdershausen. History tells us that the village actively participated in the rapid progress of the construction; many farmers, with their horse-drawn carts, worked day in and day out to transport the heavy stones from Ebergötzen and Herzberg (train station), in all kinds of weather. The parish itself raised the costs for the church, in addition to providing labor and draft animals. The church's builder, Dean Spieker, was unfortunately no longer in Rüdershausen at the time of the consecration. Thus, his successor, Dean Theodor Vollmer, as the new parish priest of Rüdershausen, was responsible for the church's consecration on May 3, 1874. Unfortunately, no contemporary accounts of the actual consecration ceremony of St. Andrew's Church have survived. Given the large number of local craftsmen and farmers involved in the construction of this magnificent church (the "Cathedral of the Eichsfeld"), the village of Rüdershausen could be proud of this successful building erected to the glory of God, and they duly celebrated and honored it. The church gradually acquired its present appearance in the following years. Source: https://www.sankt-sebastian-rhumspringe.de/kirchorte/st-andreas-ruedershausen/