Borken (Hesse): Lakes and Mining History

As a travel destination, Borken (Hesse) brings together the Borken Lake District, traces of lignite mining and historic cultural sites. Four lakes, routes through a former mining landscape and reminders of several centuries offer different starting points for planning your trip. First, consider whether you would like to focus on water, cycling and hiking routes, or history.

Lakes and routes by the water

The Borken Lake District comprises four lakes surrounded by meadows and forests. Activities include swimming, surfing, diving, walks and cycling. Stockelache natural swimming lake has a sandy beach, bathing islands, a waterslide and a restaurant. This makes it easy to combine a trip to the water with other activities.

The signposted lake circuit is about 22.5 kilometres long and connects Singliser See, Gombether See, Stockelache natural swimming lake and the Borkener See nature reserve. Check current conditions along the route before setting off. Another cycling link is the Hessian R15, which connects the Borken Lake District with Silbersee near Frielendorf and begins near Borken on the Hessian Cycle Route R4.

Lignite and nature in transition

In the 20th century, Borken was associated with lignite mining and electricity generation from lignite in Hesse. The “Coal & Energy” theme park illustrates how lignite was extracted in open-cast mines and used to generate electricity. The “Borkener See” Nature Conservation Information Centre focuses on another aspect of the former mining landscape: animals, plants and interactive media explain how nature is recovering there.

Those who want to explore this landscape on foot or by bicycle can follow the 32-kilometre Lignite Circuit through the former Borken lignite-mining area. The Celtic Trail offers a different scale: this archaeological hiking trail runs for six kilometres through the forest, takes about two hours and passes monuments from the modern era, the Middle Ages and prehistoric times. The distance and time estimates help you gauge the planned route without suggesting that the two trails are equivalent.

Buildings and earlier history

The “Altes Amtsgericht” cultural centre is Borken’s oldest building. This half-timbered house dates from 1473. In Kleinenglis, St. Michael’s Church contains significant late Gothic wall paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Altenburg, meanwhile, is known for its surviving ramparts: they are five to seven metres high, and the site is one of the best-preserved of its kind in Hesse.

The historical scope therefore ranges from medieval half-timbered architecture and church paintings to monuments from prehistory and early history. For a trip combining different interests, these destinations can complement the lakes and mining-related attractions; you can take their different themes into account when planning your days.

Landscape and finding accommodation

Borken (Hesse) is a small town in the Schwalm-Eder district of northern Hesse. The municipal area lies within the Landsburg Depression and the Hessengau, part of the West Hesse Depression. Smaller streams such as the Olmes, Hundsbach and Lembach drain the Borken Basin; the Schwalm flows from west to east through the municipal area.

When looking for accommodation in Borken, your preferred activities for each day can be a helpful starting point: water activities, signposted cycling routes, trails through the former mining area or historical discoveries each offer a different focus. This allows you to match your choice of destination with the experiences that interest you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Knüllwald, Bad Zwesten, Frielendorf, Edermünde, Wabern, Niedenstein, Oberaula, Ottrau.

Go to the regional travel overview: Schwalm-Eder district.