From Hameln’s old-town streets, the route goes straight to the Weser. The first part stays in the valley: Hessisch Oldendorf, Rinteln, wide river bends, wooded slopes and timber-framed towns along the edge of the Weser Uplands. After Vlotho and Bad Oeynhausen, the stage leaves the river corridor. The roads become smaller and the climbs come more often. Löhne, Bünde and the Ravensberg Hills add fields, short rises and brick-built villages. Near the end, the Teutoburg Forest moves closer before the route reaches Melle after roughly 84 kilometres.
