Discover Bad Bentheim: Stiegen, sandstone and thermal brine

Bad Bentheim combines an old town shaped by historic Stiegen with sandstone paths and thermal brine. Experiences range from short to longer hiking routes, as well as year-round swimming outdoors. This gives you a clear choice when planning your trip, between cultural history, exercise and time spent in the water.

The Stiegen tell the story of the old town

The historic Stiegen are a hallmark of the old town. As settlement spread along the Bentheim ridge, paths were cut into the rock: they connected neighbours, led to the nearest well, or to meadows, fields and gardens at the foot of the hill. The Stiegen were thus part of daily life and of the town’s development. Their origins illustrate the connection between the ridge, the old town and the land at the foot of the hill.

Choose hiking routes by length

The “Through Bentheim Stiegen” hiking route in Bad Bentheim is 3.07 kilometres long. The Sandstone Trail consists of two longer sections: the western section is about 18.2 kilometres, and the eastern section about 17.3 kilometres. The stated distances alone show a clear difference between the shorter Stiegen route and the longer sections of the Sandstone Trail. You can use this to compare route lengths when planning your trip.

The Bentheim Forest, north of Bad Bentheim, offers another option for longer walks. It stretches around the spa centre to the open-air theatre area. Woodland walks therefore complement the named hiking routes with another way to add exercise to your stay.

Thermal brine and outdoor swimming

The thermal brine at the Bentheim Mineral Spa comes from a depth of 1,200 metres and makes year-round outdoor swimming possible at a water temperature of 29°C. The spa offers a distinct experience alongside the trails and walks: instead of covering a distance, the focus is on swimming outdoors in warm water. If you do not want to plan your stay solely around hiking, the thermal brine offers another specific experience in Bad Bentheim.

Art and ceramics as cultural highlights

The Otto Pankok Museum in Gildehaus holds three to four exhibitions each year. This adds a recurring focus on exhibitions to the history of the old town. At the Tonfuchs ceramics workshop, you can take pottery courses with Kathi Bosink, a ceramic artist and coach; courses have been offered in various formats since 2018. All courses are suitable for beginners. As course offerings may change, check current availability before your visit.

The Bad Bentheim Sandstone Museum is another specific place to visit for a cultural outing. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 2:00–5:00 p.m. It is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, as well as throughout January. As opening hours may change, check the information before your visit.

Bad Bentheim and the County of Bentheim

In the wider destination of the County of Bentheim, heathland, raised and lowland bogs, wooded ridges and the Vechte river valley alternate. This regional setting broadens the perspective beyond the Stiegen, Bentheim Forest and local hiking routes to encompass a range of landscapes. This diversity applies to the County of Bentheim as a whole.

Tourists staying overnight in the County of Bentheim can use the Grafschafter guest card to travel free of charge on buses and trains throughout the district. If you would like to include this offer in your travel plans, check the card’s current terms in advance, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Georgsdorf, Getelo, Laar, Schüttorf, Neuenhaus, Itterbeck, Engden, Wielen.

Go to the main travel overview: County of Bentheim.