Nehden offers different ways to explore the Cretaceous period: a digital 360° panorama and a dinosaur trail. It also has a long history, St. John’s Chapel and hiking trails of varying lengths. When planning your trip, you can choose how much to focus on geological history, local history and outdoor activities.
Experience dinosaurs digitally
“DinoSpuren Nehden” offers a 360° panorama of the Iguanodons’ habitat during the Cretaceous period, which can be accessed on a smartphone. A digital dinosaur trail opened at Nehden Dino Park on September 7, 2024. It uses augmented reality and QR code registration; the circular trail combines information, games and quizzes about Iguanodon.
Hiking trails of varying lengths
Two hiking routes have been developed in Nehden. They take in local sights, peaceful forests and impressive views, and follow the village’s history from the Cretaceous period to the present day.
In the wider Brilon destination, the DinoSpuren circular trail in Brilon-Nehden is a family-friendly themed route featuring dinosaur tracks. It is about 800 metres long and has no strenuous climbs. A longer option is the “Brilon-Nehden (N1)” circular trail: it is 8.9 kilometres long, takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, and includes 151 metres of ascent and 151 metres of descent. The start and finish are at the Schützenplatz. These details show the difference in route length; an approximate walking time is also provided for the N1.
You can also choose a cycling route that includes Nehden: the “In the Sign of the Limestone Hills – Cycling Around Brilon” tour takes a short detour to the Iguanodon discovery site in Nehden and the short interactive “DinoSpuren” hiking trail. Check current route conditions before setting off.
Local history and character
Nehden’s origins date back to the 9th or 10th century. One specific historic building is St. John’s Chapel: Konrad Hermann Ulrich and his father Adam Ulrich built it from rubble stone in 1681. The chapel was dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Its construction date, materials, builders and dedication provide a clearly defined historical point of reference for the village’s history.
The 1113 distillery in Brilon-Nehden adds a different local touch. It produces small batches of fine spirits using spring water and organically grown ingredients. This complements the historical and natural themes with a glimpse into the production of regional products.
Brilon as a distinct regional context
In the wider Brilon destination, the Haus Hövener City Museum is located in the centre of Brilon, right on the market square. The building has largely been preserved in its 1910 condition. Original Iguanodon bones are on display there; they were discovered in 1978 in a quarry near Brilon-Nehden. An interactive model of the town offers insights into life in Brilon in centuries past. The discovery links the find site at Brilon-Nehden with an exhibition venue in Brilon.
Other attractions belong specifically to Brilon: the Brilon Schnadezug has been documented as a boundary walk since 1388, has a tradition spanning more than 620 years, and is one of Westphalia’s largest and most original folk festivals. The approximately 8-kilometre-long Brilon Geological Fault is a geological highlight. It brings two features of the Devonian Period to life: the limestone hills of the Brilon Plateau and the diabase deposits of Bilstein. Highlights along the trail include a viewing platform on the 634-metre-high Bilstein spoil heap.
Discover more destinations: Brilon-Wald, Radlinghausen, Alme, Madfeld, Hoppecke, Bontkirchen, Gudenhagen.
To the wider travel overview: Brilon.
