Lippe – Discover Hiking, Culture and Nature

Key facts on the topic

• Lippe’s network of hiking trails covers around 2,000 kilometres.
• The network includes part of the European long-distance hiking trail E1 as well as the award-winning Hermannshöhen and Hansaweg hiking trails.
• Lippe has seven historic town centres characterised by Renaissance buildings.
• The Externsteine are a cultural and natural monument in the heart of Lippe.
• The Hermannsdenkmal monument stands on the 386-metre-high Grotenburg in Hiddesen, a south-western district of Detmold.
• The Fürstenroute Lippe connects the palaces, castles and parks of the Lippe region on a multi-day tour.

Hiking between long-distance trails and themed routes

Lippe offers a wide selection of routes for active days. The section of the European long-distance hiking trail E1 complements the regional network with an interregional connection. The Hermannshöhen and Hansaweg are award-winning hiking trails and special destinations for anyone who wants to base their daily plans on a marked route. The WALK hiking competence centre at the Hermannsdenkmal is the central place for hikers and for anyone interested in hiking.

The Fürstenroute Lippe is also suitable as a connecting theme for a longer stay. The multi-day tour leads to the palaces, castles and parks of the Lippe region. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to plan individual excursions or devote several days to an overarching route.

Culture and history in various locations

Seven historic town centres with Renaissance buildings give Lippe a distinct cultural profile. The Weser Renaissance Museum in Lemgo presents the cultural history of the Weser region in the 16th and 17th centuries. At the Fürstliches Residenzschloss Detmold, guided tours bring the rooms to life through their history, architecture and ambience. They provide insights into the Renaissance, Neo-Renaissance, Weser Renaissance, Baroque and modern periods.

The Hermannsdenkmal adds a striking site of regional history to this selection. Using digital applications and interactive stations, the Hermanneum presents the history of the monument and its model, Arminius. The panoramic viewing platform can only be reached via a steep spiral staircase with 100 steps. You should take this specific access situation into account when planning your day.

Detmold’s Landestheater also offers four venues featuring drama, opera and ballet. The Easter Wheel Run in Lügde is recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage and is an established part of local tradition. Anyone interested in regional history, architectural culture and vibrant cultural forms can include these different offerings in their travel plans.

Nature experiences and offerings for different interests

The Externsteine combine cultural and natural significance at a well-known site in the heart of Lippe. The Oerlinghausen Climate Experience Trail offers another nature experience: it begins and ends at the Oerlinghausen Climate Experience Centre, Am Kalkofen 15, 33813 Oerlinghausen. This makes it possible to plan the trail as a clearly defined excursion destination.

The Berlebeck Eagle Observatory is home to 180 large and small birds of prey from 48 species. The facility is known for spectacular flight shows. Using modern media, the educational and information centre provides interesting facts about birds of prey, the history of falconry and the tasks of the eagle observatory in species conservation; it is suitable for school classes and other groups. At Heiligenkirchen Bird Park, more than 1,000 birds and mammals from 300 different species live in large aviaries and open-air enclosures. Visitors can feed birds by hand in the parrot aviary and in the parakeet and small parrot aviary.

The LWL Museum Hellerlecht also focuses on clear and engaging presentation. The more than 90-hectare open-air site contains more than 100 fully furnished buildings from all the landscapes of Westphalia. Traditional crafts such as milling flour, blacksmithing and pottery are demonstrated there every day. If you are travelling with different age groups or interests, places like these can complement days devoted solely to hiking.

Relaxation, travel arrangements and regional cuisine

Bad Salzuflen Spa Park includes a Kneipp island with foot-walking and arm-bath pools as well as an educational trail. In the Wandelhalle, themed pavilions use digital, interactive and analogue presentations to convey the history, traditions and culture of the saltwater and Kneipp spa. These offerings focus on something different from the hiking trails and museums and may play a role when selecting your daily destinations.

For travelling to an excursion at the Hermannsdenkmal, the nature park bus on route 792 serves the Hermannsdenkmal stop on weekends and public holidays from Easter until 1 November. Check the connection for your specific day of travel. As a regional culinary speciality, you can try Lippischer Pickert, a traditional potato speciality that is served in inns, farm cafés and restaurants.

When choosing your accommodation, you can take the focus of your planned excursions into account. For further travel destinations, you can visit Horn-Bad Meinberg and Detmold.

FAQ

How extensive is the hiking trail network in Lippe?

Lippe’s network of hiking trails covers around 2,000 kilometres. It includes part of the European long-distance hiking trail E1 as well as the award-winning Hermannshöhen and Hansaweg hiking trails.

What cultural destinations are there in Lippe?

Cultural destinations include seven historic town centres with Renaissance buildings, the Weser Renaissance Museum in Lemgo, the Fürstliches Residenzschloss Detmold, the Detmold Landestheater and the Hermanneum at the Hermannsdenkmal.

What should you bear in mind when visiting the panoramic viewing platform?

The panoramic viewing platform of the Hermannsdenkmal can only be reached via a steep spiral staircase with 100 steps. This access situation should be taken into account when planning your day.

Are there destinations with animals in Lippe?

The Berlebeck Eagle Observatory is home to 180 large and small birds of prey from 48 species. Heiligenkirchen Bird Park is home to more than 1,000 birds and mammals from 300 different species; visitors can also feed certain birds by hand there.

When does the nature park bus run to the Hermannsdenkmal stop?

Route 792 serves the Hermannsdenkmal stop on weekends and public holidays from Easter until 1 November. You should check the connection for your specific day of travel.

Which regional speciality can you try in Lippe?

Lippischer Pickert is a traditional regional potato speciality. It is served in inns, farm cafés and restaurants.

To the overarching travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.

Further travel destinations

Other places within the same destination:

Hochsauerlandkreis, Märkischer Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis, Olpe District, Ennepe-Ruhr District, Soest.