Lichtenau: Hiking Trails, Nature and History

The municipality of Lichtenau, with its 15 villages, lies entirely within the Teutoburg Forest/Egge Hills Nature Park. Hiking trails, historic sites and seasonal water attractions offer a range of options. To plan your trip, you can choose between a hike, a cycling tour and the stories behind individual places.

Hiking and Cycling

Hiking trails of various lengths lead through the varied landscapes of the nature park around Dalheim Monastery. The Eggeweg, Sintfeld-Höhenweg and WestfalenWanderWeg trails also pass through or near the municipality of Lichtenau. One specific circular route is the Wilderer hiking trail: it starts at Gasthaus Engemann in Lichtenau-Kleinenberg, is about 19 kilometres long and ends in the village centre. If you would like to gauge a tour by its stated length, this trail provides a specific reference point at around 19 kilometres; the trails around Dalheim Monastery come in various lengths.

For a cycling tour, the Paderborn Region Route is another option. This 250-kilometre circular route connects cultural and historical attractions with natural sights in the Paderborn region. Dalheim Monastery is directly on the route and can also be reached by bike from Lichtenau, among other places.

History and Cultural Sites

The large Neolithic burial sites in Atteln were built about 5,000 years ago as communal tombs. A community buried its dead there over several generations. Their communal nature and long period of use give the sites their particular historical significance.

The present-day Amerungen Chapel was built in 1669 by Prince-Bishop Ferdinand of Fürstenberg to replace a dilapidated predecessor church. A recurring tradition also defines the site: every year on the first Sunday in August, the chapel is the destination for many pilgrims from the Soratgau and Sintfeld regions. Atteln is also home to the restored Atteln Spieker, a Weser Renaissance half-timbered house built in 1588.

Other historic sites offer different points of interest: the former Blankenrode town castle is of particular archaeological significance. The Forester’s Cross commemorates foresters Gies and Steinsträter, who were shot dead by poachers in 1880. Dalheim Monastery includes around 20,000 square metres of monastery gardens and 3,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Nature and Seasonal Water Attractions

A wetland with typical vegetation and the associated animal and plant species has developed around the spring pools of the Henglarn Spring Garden. The central play area has water-play equipment, a footbath and arm baths. The park is freely accessible; the footbath operates only during the summer months. As seasonal operations may vary, check the latest information before your visit.

The Altenautal natural swimming pool in Lichtenau-Atteln is a seasonal bathing facility. Its swimming area is 25 metres long and 12.5 metres wide; there is also a separate non-swimmer area. The facility includes a children’s playground, a paddling pool, a water slide and a pebble beach. Opening times and facilities may change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Husen, Paderborn, Bad Lippspringe, Salzkotten, Delbrück, Büren, Barkhausen, Altenbeken.

Back to the main travel overview: Paderborn.