Hiking in the Teutoburg Forest
Hiking in the Teutoburg Forest
Hiking in the Teutoburg Forest area is an experience. A well-signposted network of paths runs through the region and always opens up new views for hikers: the cultural and natural landscape of the low mountain ranges of the Teutoburg Forest, the Wiehen and Egge Mountains, mixed forests, rock formations, springs, rivers and old half-timbered villages. For many visitors, the Teutoburg Forest has become a beautiful hiking area.
High quality hiking trails (comfort and fun)
The Hermannshöhen are the region's classic hiking route. The Hermannsweg and the Eggeweg are certified as quality routes and are among the “Top Routes in Germany”. The ancient Germanic tribes already migrated on the two mountain ranges of the Teutoburg Forest and the Egge Mountains. If you want to complete the entire 226 km route, you should plan more than a week's vacation for this special experience.
But you can also make it much shorter and still be close to nature and impressive. Here are 10 certified quality trails in the Teutoburg Forest hiking region:
1. The Sintfeldweg
The Sintfeld in the heart of the Paderborn plateau is a gently undulating cultural landscape that has been formed over thousands of years and has a very special charm.
The 144 km long route can be divided into 6 daily stages and, thanks to its moderate gradients, is suitable for hikers with a strong sense of enjoyment.
The wide views of the karst plateau with its meadows and valleys are just as stimulating for the senses as the fresh scent of forest and moor. If you look closely, you can discover interesting geological phenomena such as disappeared streams. Small streams, like the lively Alme River, seep into the ground at important points only to reappear elsewhere.
The numerous insights into an eventful past along the way are also exciting: stone cisterns and burial mounds, ruins, churches and monasteries make the hike on the Sintfeld-Höhenweg a historical journey through time.
The many cafés, restaurants and inns along the way make the hike an encounter with real Westphalian hospitality and delicious, simple cuisine.
2. Eggetal Loop Panorama Trail
The Wiehengebirge in the northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia offers ideal conditions for long hikes. A special recommendation is the Eggetal between Egge and Wiehengebirge.
With the districts of Einighausen and Börninghausen (a climatic health resort since 1992), the Eggetal is rightly called the “jewel of the Lübbecker region”. The quiet and idyllic villages lie on the south side of the Egge and are almost completely surrounded by wooded hills. Enjoy the wonderful view of the Eggetal in all its diversity on the Eggetal Panorama circular route.
There are numerous benches and even a forest sofa (near the observation tower) available on the circular route for small and large breaks.
The 29.5 m. High observation tower on the summit of the Wiehengebirge offers a wonderful view into the distance. 125 steps lead up to the new observation tower.
3. The Nellikestien: fascinating tour around Blomberg
The 42 km long Nelkenweg offers hikers and pedestrians the opportunity to walk through the beautiful landscape around Blomberg. The level of difficulty and duration can be chosen as desired.
Over a total of 42 kilometers, the Nelkenweg offers walkers and hikers many opportunities to get to know the nature and landscape of the Blomberger Basin. The starting points for the hikes are the parking lots in the city center and along the circular route. The Nelkenweg consists of 9 paths that lead from the old town to the roundabout. The medieval town of Blomberg with its well-restored half-timbered houses, castle, city wall and the last medieval Lippetor is certainly worth a detour.
Blomberg, the flower town, was once famous for its carnation farms. Gronemann and Vöchting made Blomberg in the 19th century. World famous in the 19th century when the first red carnation was grown in Blomberg. More than 1.000 varieties of carnations with picturesque names such as “Queen of the Night” have been documented and were exported as far as Japan. Today the Carnation Path is a reminder of this era in Blomberg's history.
Take your time for a walk through Blomberg and enjoy a cup of coffee on the castle terrace with a view of the Blomberg Basin. The cozy cafés and inns in the surrounding villages also offer many opportunities to get some fresh air.
4. Niesetalstraße
Narrow paths, impressive forest edges and romantic details characterize the Niesetalweg between the picturesque town of Schwalenberg and Marienmünster Abbey. For around 25 km you drive through the varied cultural landscape of the northern town of Höxter.
The Niesebach of the same name meanders from its source in Köterberg to the mouth of the Emmer. At Kollerbeck the stream is framed particularly idyllicly by two mountains. Further down the landscape turns into a wide, rugged landscape.
The approximately 25 km long circular route is at least as varied. The path runs mainly along narrow meadow and forest paths and connects the Marienmünster monastery with the picturesque town of Schwalenberg. On the hike you cross the Niese and its small and large tributaries several times.
Hedges lined with pastures, small farms and beautiful paths through changing forest landscapes make this slightly longer hike a pleasure for the soul. At Kollerbeck and Born there are quiet rest areas for an extensive regional picnic.
5. Path of reflection - large roundel
A wonderful view awaits the hiker who wants to stimulate reflection on creation and faith at the same time.
The aim of this hiking trail is to invite you to pause at every stop, the highlight of nature or art, to let the silence of nature inspire you to think about religious-spiritual questions, but also about practical life issues in general to find inner peace.When selecting the stations, we are guided by the special atmosphere and characteristic "energy" of the place, which also determines the theme. The integration of the path into an intact cultural landscape with the diverse nature of the Egge Mountains and the inclusion of cultural treasures from the homeland - the Feldrom Cross, which commemorates the work of four Feldrom stonemasons, and the Father Bede monument, which commemorates the memory to the great home friend, Eggefather Dr. Beda Kleinschmidt, is supposed to keep you awake. Bede Kleinschmidtapuntar, and the Feldrom Cross, which commemorates the work of four Feldrom stonemasons, as well as the Father Bede Stone, which commemorates the memory of the great friend of the homeland, Egge-Father Dr. Bede Kleinschmidtapuntar, should keep awake. Beda Kleinschmidt - states further intentions for the path: to promote understanding of nature and to create a connection to home and its cultural heritage.
6. On the Hermannshöhen: Hermannsweg
The Hermannsweg in the Teutoburg Forest is a cult trail and should not be missing from any hiking book.
As part of the "Hermannshöhen", this hike offers just the right mix of culture and nature. You pass through mountain villages such as Tecklenburg or Oerlinghausen, the metropolis of Bielefeld and discover the natural beauties and rarities of the Teutoburg Forest with the Dörenther Cliffs, Witches' Kitchen, Externsteinen and Velmerstot.
The 156 km. long Hermannsweg is one of the best high-altitude trails in Germany. It runs along the ridge of the Teutoburg Forest, 85% through the two nature parks "Teutoburg Forest / Eggegebirge" and "TERRA.vita". The name comes from Hermann von Querusca, who lived in 9 AD. BC defeated the Roman general Varus and defeated the three Roman legions. The Hermannsweg begins in the Münsterlandpark in Rheine and leads over heights between 100 and 441 meters to Horn-Bad Meinberg. Shortly before the finish in Leopoldstal, the 441 meter high Lippe Velmerstot is the highest point on the trail, offering an incomparable view of the surrounding area.
The Hermann Monument, one of the many sights along the route, as well as the Externsteine, the Dörenther Cliffs, the Bielefeld Sparrenburg and the Berlebeck Eagle Observatory are reminders of the historical basis of the name. With its mountain ridge interrupted by numerous valleys, the path offers a varied mountain landscape with wide views over the Münsterland park landscape, towards the Weserbergland or the Westphalian Bay.
Along the path, hikers will find many evidence of living history: old town centers, castles and monasteries, museums and fortresses such as “Ravensberg Castle near Borgholzhausen”. This varied geological feature of the subsoil and the cities through which the route leads, such as Bad Iburg, Tecklenburg, Oerlinghausen and Bielefeld, make this route not only a natural but also a cultural experience.
7. On the Hermannshöhen: Eggeweg
A quiet hiking trail for nature lovers: The Eggeweg leads away from stress and hustle and bustle through the large Egge forests that connect the Teutoburg Forest with Sauerland. It is not for nothing that it was the first long-distance hiking trail to be awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality seal by the German Hiking Association. With the Iburg ruins, the old railway line and the abandoned town of Blankenrode, the route surprises with impressive historical relics.
The Eggeweg runs from north to south through the Egge Mountains and always leads over the ridge. The 70 km long path connects a ridge of the Teutoburg Forest in the north with Sauerland in the south. Even in prehistoric and early historical times, this main street was used as a military and trade route. Today, nature lovers and hikers in particular enjoy this panoramic road in the Teutoburg Forest/Egggebirge Nature Park.
The rugged mountain ridge leads from the Externsteine through the Silberbachtal to the 468 m high Prussian Velmerstot, the highest point in the Teutoburg Forest/Egggebirge. We continue south over the wooded Eggekamm, which offers some interesting views. The Iburg ruins, located above the thermal baths and the former glass city of Bad Driburg, are the next cultural attraction on this educational trail. With the former railway or the abandoned town of Blankenrode, the route to the historic Obermarsberg surprises with impressive relics from this part of the country's history.
8. via Salzetal and Vierenberg (hiking route 1)
Mostly gently ascending route with well-maintained surfaces, but there are also uneven paths and steep sections.
Blunt Tower: is the remains of an old fortification and was used by the Salzuflers to guard the salt road to the Weser. From here, the guards had a good overview and were able to warn their colleagues on the city's Cat Tower with light signals in case of danger. The tower was destroyed in the Thirty Years' War and is no longer accessible.
There are legends and stories surrounding the old trade route Stumben Turm. In the past, carters were afraid to use the road after dark. Then the black dog ran around and jumped on anyone who used the path and was somehow burdened with guilt.
In addition, a "white woman on a white horse" is said to have appeared on the Blunt Tower and frightened people. She is said to have been very quiet and elf-like and was just waiting for a knight to free her from her spell.
9. Ride up Stemweder Berg
Explore Stemweder Berg with two large stands of extremely rare beech forest. Forest area with marked and well-maintained trails.
"The forest is monosyllabic, but a world of wonders. It is the cheapest pharmacy for body and soul". The Stemweder Berg is located in the southeastern part of the Dümmer Nature Park, 181 meters above sea level, and is the last mountain before the North German Plain. In the south, the cultural landscape of the town of Stemwede borders, and to the east of the Dümmer lies the Oppenweher Heideland. The Stemweder Berg consists of limestone from the late Cretaceous period. Along the route, in addition to the historic stone hills, you can also see high stubble meadows with orchards, which are habitats for hazel mice, rockcatchers and bats. Here you can find natural wildlife such as deer, pheasants and foxes, as well as common waterweed, wood anemones and native orchids.
10. Viaduct hiking trail around Altenbeken
You can trace the history of the railway on the viaduct path.
Altenbeken's landmark, the large railway viaduct, is beautifully showcased on the 30.3 km long viaduct hiking trail. Since 2009, the Viaduct Trail has been awarded the title “Quality Trail for Hiking in Germany”. If you dreamed of driving through the countryside like a steam train driver when you were a child, you can continue this dream on the Altenbeken Viaduct hiking trail. On the way you will encounter railways several times. And where better to start or end a railway-themed hike than on a historic steam locomotive. The heavy steam locomotive 044 389-5 was built in 1941 and has stood as a monument in the heart of the Altenbeken railway community since 1971.
The footpath along the viaduct is of course well signposted in both directions. So it's up to you how you want to start your hike. The circular route guarantees an exceptional hiking experience in any case. Remember to take a stamp card with you. You can fill this out at five stations along the way and, after a successful hike, you will receive a certificate and a pin as a hiker.
