Waggumertrailexpedition

Feb. 2013 The Waggum Trail Expedition is a 30 km route with about 200 vertical meters, probably offering everything an MTB rider could wish for: twisty forest tracks, punchy climbs and descents, plus muddy trail sections.

The tour links all the trails I know around Waggum. After long periods of rain or a thaw, this course turns into a real expedition for both rider and equipment. Good fitness and wide tires are essential, otherwise the ride turns into a hike-a-bike and keeping your feet dry is tough.

The route mainly runs on unpaved forest tracks and trails, as well as field and meadow paths, with at most 3 km of asphalt. It is rideable throughout except for two sections (stream crossing at Hondelage and railway crossing at Bechtsbüttel).

Here is a short route description:

The starting point is at the Feuerbrunnen in Waggum. To warm up, ride on asphalt towards the sports field. After 800 m you enter the woods and after a brief forest section the first trail begins next to a bunker. The first part features a gentle downhill and twisty turns towards the airfield. The route continues parallel to the runway—you can expect some very muddy water sections here (keep it in the small chainring and don’t stop, or you’ll get wet feet).

After about 700 m the route splits: either continue along the fence or above the embankment. At kilometer 3, you ride a gravel path parallel to the main road to Hondelage. After crossing the main road, a short trail by the Nina memorial begins (about 300 m). At 4.7 km, a nice trail (about 650 m) starts, running parallel to the A2 with a slight incline.

The first carrying section comes at km 6, where you cross a stream. The route crosses a meadow towards the main road and then back to the forest. After riding through a ditch and a short path, you take an unpaved forest road followed by gravel to the next trail.

After about 8 km, a bypath branches off right from the forest road. Over the next 600 m you'll need to find your own line, as the often muddy ground forms deep ruts. Then it's about 5 km on narrow forest trails and singletracks through the Waggum woods (with lots of variety).

After a short breather on a gravel forest road, the route heads towards the Kolbe tree nursery. Here you’ll find a nice descent, leading to a twisty section along the Beberbach, with small wooden bridges and a bomb crater crossing (about 850 m). Then, farm tracks—some briefly paved—lead up to the Kahlenberg climb.

A singletrack takes you over the Kahlenberg, followed by a short sidehill descent leading into a path and then into a horse trail with several rideable tree obstacles.

After a short paved descent towards Bechtsbüttel (speedo will show over 30 km/h), you reach a section of forest track and trails near Bechtsbüttel (about 1.5 km). At kilometer 23.8, you cross the railway line towards Gifhorn (watch for trains).

Just before the Bienrode gravel pit, the route runs along a short trail through a patch of woods and merges with the lakeside trail along the gravel pit. This part is tough, with several steep ramps (over 20%) and stairs both up and down; after a steep climb to a viewpoint with a following descent, the trail ends at the gravel pit (about 2.3 km).

After that, it's an easy roll back to Waggum. In wet conditions, plan for more than 2 hours ride time.

Have fun!