A medieval town rampart, nearby World Heritage Site Corvey and cycling routes along the Nethe and Weser give Höxter many facets. Culture and landscape sit side by side here: you can explore the town’s history, consider a cycling route or discover the natural surroundings of the Höxter district.
Town History and Corvey
The town rampart is a medieval fortification around Höxter’s old town; the town wall is visible in many places. Nearby, east of the town and on the western bank of the Weser, are the Carolingian westwork and the Civitas Corvey. This part of Höxter is in North Rhine-Westphalia, near the border with Lower Saxony. Corvey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; notable features include the abbey church and the library.
The Höxter-Corvey Museum also explores the region’s cultural history: in the rooms of the former prince-bishop’s residence, it presents 1,200 years of cultural history. In town, the Jacob Pins Forum is dedicated to the work of the German-Israeli artist, who was born in Höxter. Part of the exhibition documents the fate of Höxter’s Jewish residents. The cultural themes thus range from the World Heritage Site and the history of the residence to art and the remembrance of Jewish life in the town.
Cycling Routes with Different Distance Profiles
The 65-kilometre Netheradweg follows the Nethe from its source to its mouth at the Weser, running between Bad Driburg and Höxter. The Kloster-Garten-Route offers a different scale: it is about 315 kilometres long, runs through the Kulturland district of Höxter and varied landscapes, and passes sights between the Weser, Egge and Teutoburg Forest. It starts at Marienmünster Abbey; the route can be cycled in five stages of 52 to 67 kilometres each. Twenty-eight Bible posts along the route make it a pilgrimage tour.
The first stage of the Weser Cycle Route offers another distance option: it runs 71 kilometres along the Weser from Hann. Münden and ends in Höxter. The three routes differ in their courses and lengths: the Netheradweg follows the Nethe, the Kloster-Garten-Route connects stops throughout the Kulturland region, and the first stage of the Weser Cycle Route follows the river to Höxter. If you are planning one of these tours, check the latest route conditions.
The Weser Waterfront and Nature in the Höxter District
Redesigned for the 2023 State Garden Show, the Weser promenade is a relaxing place to unwind by the river after a stroll through town. Close to the town centre, the Höxter-Godelheim recreational area has a freely accessible bathing lake right beside the Weser Cycle Route. Access conditions may vary seasonally; check them if you are planning a visit to the lake.
The Höxter district brings together culture, nature and active holidays in the hilly low mountain landscapes of the Teutoburg Forest and the Weser Uplands. Protected areas of European importance invite visitors to explore under the name “Erlesene Natur” (“Select Nature”). The landscapes described include beech forests rich in orchids, unusual rock formations, natural streams, dry grasslands, juniper heaths and wetlands. Cyclists can also explore along the Nethe, Emmer and Beber and discover a rich variety of flora and fauna. River valleys, forests, castles and monasteries also shape the region’s character for hikers.
Art, Garden Park and Digital Discoveries
The Huxarium Garden Park connects the historic half-timbered town with the World Heritage Site in Corvey. Its grounds extend from the rampart along the flower-lined town wall, past the riverside promenade and on to the Baroque palace in the Weser bend. The park includes, among other things, the Remter Garden and an archaeological park. Gardens, historic buildings and archaeological themes thus come together in the town and along the Weser.
Anyone wishing to explore Höxter and other favourite places in the district digitally can find 3D models, games, puzzles, and images and videos in the “Entdeckertour Kreis Höxter” app. An augmented reality feature brings special sights virtually to life. The app uses GPS to recognise when a place has been visited; after six of the ten favourite places have been visited, a certificate is automatically made available for printing. Digital features may change with software updates, so it is worth checking the latest version beforehand.
Discover more destinations: Beverungen, Höxter, Marienmünster, Nieheim, Willebadessen, Brakel, Bad Driburg, Gehrden, Steinheim, Merlsheim, Borgentreich, Warburg.
Return to the overarching travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
