Kirchlengern: River Landscapes and the History of Technology
Accommodation in Kirchlengern
Kirchlengern combines protected river landscapes with hiking trails and a distinctive history of technology. The town is located in the Wittekindsland and Teutoburg Forest holiday regions. There are various options to choose from: canoeing on the Else, trails through natural areas, and insights into the history of the fire service and the town. If your trip brings together different interests, you can weigh up these themes when planning your days.
River landscapes with their own character
The 117-hectare Elseaue lies in the Else Valley between BĂĽnde and Kirchlengern. Within the nature reserve, the Else flows in a near-natural state for around 3.5 kilometres. Pronounced meanders and banks up to three metres high characterise this stretch; the banks provide habitat for kingfishers. Canoeing on the Else is also one of the activities on offer in Kirchlengern. If you are planning a canoe trip, it is best to check the conditions for accessing the water in advance.
The Rehmerloh-MennighĂĽffer MĂĽhlenbach runs for around eleven kilometres through the Quernheim Hills. Almost its entire course and the adjacent areas are designated as a nature reserve covering more than 220 hectares. The steep banks provide nesting sites for kingfishers; gravel and sand banks are spawning grounds for up to 18 fish species. In terms of area, the Elseaue covers 117 hectares, while the protected area along the MĂĽhlenbach extends over more than 220 hectares.
Hiking trails: signposted routes and an unmarked circular trail
Kirchlengern has numerous signposted hiking trails. One specific route is the circular trail Um Stift Quernheim: it starts and ends at the collegiate church; public parking is available in front of the church. Unlike the signposted hiking trails, this circular route is unmarked and passes through a nature reserve. Hikers should stay on the paths. If you choose this route, plan your navigation accordingly and check the latest route and parking information before setting off.
The two river landscapes have distinct characteristics: meanders and kingfisher habitat define the stretch of river described in the Elseaue, while along the Rehmerloh-MennighĂĽffer MĂĽhlenbach, gravel and sand banks are also important habitats alongside the banks. For planning your excursions, you can therefore compare them based on your landscape interests; for the specific hike, trail markings are another factor to consider.
Fire service history and historic sites
The Fire Service Museum in Häver displays around 10,000 collection items documenting the development of firefighting. These include a 23-metre-long horse-drawn turntable ladder, considered the largest and heaviest of its kind in Germany. The scale of the collection and this remarkable exhibit give the museum a clear focus on fire service and technology history.
The Rehmerloh bathhouse is considered the only technical monument of its kind in Westphalia to have been largely preserved in its original condition. Another historical landmark for Rehmerloh is the year 1883: a mineral spring was tapped there that year, and a bathhouse and guesthouse were built. The two themes—the technical monument and the local history surrounding the spring—offer different ways to explore the town’s past.
With the Zeitreisen 24/7 programme, you can access historical information at any time via QR codes at twelve monuments. This adds a way to learn about local monuments to a museum visit. The 143-kilometre Wittekindsroute also passes through Kirchlengern and the towns of Herford, Bad Salzuflen, Vlotho, Löhne, Bünde, Rödinghausen, Spenge and Enger. Stories at 24 stops in the district of Herford tell of the region’s development.
Culture in the wider destination of Herford
In the wider destination of Herford, Marta Herford brings art, design and architecture together under one roof. The building was designed by Frank Gehry; the programme includes exhibitions, events and museum education activities for visitors of all ages. This cultural highlight adds another dimension to planning your trip without replacing Kirchlengern’s nature and technology themes.
If you mainly want to spend time outdoors, you can make hiking trails and water activities the focus of your plans; for culture enthusiasts, the Fire Service Museum, bathhouse and monument information offer other points of interest. When looking for accommodation in Kirchlengern, your preferred way of spending the day can serve as a starting point.
Discover more destinations: Löhne, Hiddenhausen, Vlotho, Enger, Spenge, Sundern, Bünde, Herford
Back to the wider travel overview: Herford.
