Large parts of the Gütersloh district have been designated a protected landscape area since 23 March 1975. Nature reserves are the strictest category of protection there: their primary purpose is to protect nature, and only secondarily to provide people with places for recreation.
Protected Landscapes and Green Destinations
Barrelpäule is one of the oldest nature reserves in the Gütersloh district and has been protected under the Reich Nature Conservation Act since 1937. The nature reserve in the Boomberge is characterised by nutrient-poor sandy sites and is considered the district’s most significant inland dune area. Holter Wald is one of the largest contiguous woodland areas in the Gütersloh district. Together with the neighbouring Schloßwiesen meadows, the Erlenbruch nature reserve forms a popular local recreation area for tourists and residents.
In the city of Gütersloh, the city park is the top destination for day trips among locals and is ideal for unwinding and going for a walk. The Botanical Garden invites visitors to stroll, discover flowers and relax. The difference is clear when choosing between them: walks and downtime take centre stage in the city park, while discovering flowers is an added attraction in the Botanical Garden. At the Ems springs in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, you can experience at first hand how a river begins.
Hiking, Cycling and Regional Dining
Newly signposted hiking trails in the Gütersloh district lead through the Senne landscape or the Teutoburg Forest and offer scenic views. The Erfolgskreis Gütersloh has nine certified quality hiking trails. The Ems Cycle Route is one of the attractive long-distance cycling routes in the district, within a cycling network spanning around 1,000 kilometres. The routes differ in scope: the hiking trails pass through named landscape areas, while the Ems Cycle Route is a long-distance route within a larger network.
The “Way for Gourmets” combines hiking with regional cuisine in the Erfolgskreis Gütersloh. This makes food part of the hiking experience. Farm cafés in the Erfolgskreis serve homemade cakes and coffee specialities for visitors looking to take a break.
Culture in the City and District
On the ground floor of the former Angenete & Wulfhorst grain-trading warehouse, the Gütersloh City Museum presents the history of the textile and metal industries; the upper floor is devoted to the history of medicine. On weekdays, the museum offers guided tours by prior appointment; please arrange your visit in advance.
In summer, the open-air stage in Mohns Park hosts various outdoor events, such as concerts and film screenings, including as part of the annual “Gütersloher Sommer” festival. More than 30 free cultural events take place in Gütersloh every year. These details offer two perspectives on timing: the seasonal summer programme at the stage and the city’s annual cultural offering. The specific programme may change.
In Werther (Westf.), the Peter August Böckstiegel Museum has 300 square metres of exhibition space. It displays Böckstiegel’s works as well as special exhibitions on Classical Modernism; guided tours of the museum are also part of the district’s cultural offering. The two museums cover different subjects: the city museum explores the history of the textile and metal industries and of medicine, while the museum in Werther showcases Böckstiegel’s works and exhibitions on Classical Modernism.
Excursions with Different Highlights
Family attractions in the Gütersloh district include the Mühlenstroth steam railway and Safariland; the “Die Welle” leisure pool is one of the attractions for children.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Marienfeld, Langenberg, Harsewinkel, Halle/Westfalen, Gütersloh, Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, Versmold, Steinhagen, Borgholzhausen, Rietberg, Verl, Werther, Herzebrock-Clarholz.
Go to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
