Discover Lippe: Hiking, History and Nature

Discover Lippe in different ways: an extensive network of hiking trails meets historic town centres, striking cultural landmarks and attractions centred on wildlife and regional traditions. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first what you would like to focus on. Do you want hiking days to shape your stay, are you especially interested in history, or would you like to combine different themes?

Hiking trails for short outings and multi-day plans

Lippe’s hiking trail network covers around 2,000 kilometres. It includes part of European long-distance path E1, as well as the award-winning “Hermannshöhen” and “Hansaweg” trails. Check the conditions on your chosen route before setting out. If you would like to plan your stay around a longer hike, the Fürstenroute Lippe is a multi-day tour linking the castles, fortresses and parks of the Lipperland region. You can plan your hike around individual stretches or follow a route with a regional theme.

Renaissance, natural monument and the Hermannsdenkmal

Lippe has seven historic town centres shaped by Renaissance architecture. The Externsteine, a cultural and natural monument in the heart of Lippe, offer another way to experience the region’s landscape and history. The Hermannsdenkmal stands on the 386-metre-high Grotenburg in Hiddesen, a district of Detmold to the southwest. There is an important access detail to bear in mind if you want to visit the panoramic viewing platform: it can only be reached via a steep spiral staircase with 100 steps.

There are two attractions at the Hermannsdenkmal, each with a different focus. The WALK hiking centre is a central hub for hikers and anyone interested in hiking. The Hermanneum uses digital applications and interactive stations to present the history of the monument and its inspiration, Arminius. So at the same named destination, you’ll find both hiking information and a deeper look at the monument’s history.

Museums, a palace and regional traditions

The Weserrenaissance-Museum in Lemgo explores the cultural history of the Weser region in the 16th and 17th centuries. Guided tours bring the rooms of Detmold’s Princely Residential Palace to life, with a focus on their history, architecture and atmosphere. They offer insights into the Renaissance, Neo-Renaissance, Weser Renaissance, Baroque and Modern periods. For a cultural programme with live performances, the Landestheater Detmold has four venues and presents drama, opera and ballet.

Traditions are also part of the region’s character: the Osterräderlauf in Lügde is recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage and is an established part of local tradition. Check the exact dates separately if you would like to include the event in your travel plans. Lippischer Pickert, a typical regional potato speciality, features on the menus of inns, farm cafés and restaurants. Offerings and menus vary from one establishment to another.

Wildlife and outdoor experiences

The Berlebeck Eagle Observatory is home to 180 birds of prey, large and small, from 48 species, and is known for its spectacular flight shows. The shows are seasonal, so check the times before you travel. The observatory’s education and information centre uses modern media to share information about birds of prey, the history of falconry and the observatory’s role in species conservation. It is suitable for school classes and other groups.

More than 1,000 birds and mammals from 300 different species live in large aviaries and open enclosures at Heiligenkirchen Bird Park. Visitors can feed birds by hand in the parrot aviary and the budgerigar and small parrot aviary. The two wildlife attractions therefore have different stated focuses: the eagle observatory centres on birds of prey and flight shows, while the bird park features a wider variety of bird and mammal species, as well as hand-feeding in certain aviaries.

Kneipp facilities and choosing where to stay

Bad Salzuflen’s spa gardens include a Kneipp island with foot and arm baths, as well as an activity trail; the availability of facilities may vary. The Wandelhalle presents the history, traditions and culture of this saltwater spa and Kneipp resort in themed pavilions, using digital, interactive and analogue displays. Access conditions may change.

If your travel group has a range of interests, start by choosing a few specific places to visit, such as a hiking route, a cultural site, a wildlife attraction or a place to try regional cuisine. Then compare the locations of the accommodation options with your planned destinations and choose according to your personal priorities. This way, your choice of location reflects your travel plans without requiring one accommodation option to suit every interest.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Schieder-Schwalenberg, Blomberg, Extertal, Lügde, Lemgo, Horn-Bad Meinberg, Dörentrup, Detmold, Kalletal, Bad Salzuflen, Oerlinghausen, Rott, Augustdorf, Hörstmar, Lage, Barntrup, Leopoldshöhe, Schlangen.

See the overview of the wider region: North Rhine-Westphalia.