Augustdorf is a municipality in the district of Lippe in North Rhine-Westphalia, situated where the Teutoburg Forest meets the open Senne. Heathland, sand dunes, stream valleys and forests shape the landscape. There are several ways to plan your stay: you can choose the longer Augustdorf Circular Route or compare the shorter trails through dune and stream landscapes. A historic Kötter house also offers a glimpse into the town’s past. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether hiking, the landscape or local history will be the focus of your stay.
Hiking by distance and landscape
The Augustdorf Circular Route is a loop of about 20 kilometres, marked with an O. It is signposted throughout. The Senne is characterised by heathland, marshland and forests on sandy soil. Even with complete signage, trail markers may need regular maintenance; check for current notices before setting out. At around 20 kilometres, the circular route is considerably longer than the approximately six-kilometre Dune Trail and the seven-kilometre Furlbach Stream Trail.
The Augustdorf Dune Trail is an approximately six-kilometre circular hike through Senne dunes, heathland, pine forest and open areas. Rare plants and animals can be observed there. The seven-kilometre Furlbach Stream Trail focuses on the stream, views of the water and old beech trees along its banks. Small bogs, heathland, sandy fields and a paddock with Senner horses are also among its natural highlights. The two shorter routes therefore differ not only in length but also in the landscapes that take centre stage along the way.
Starting points and directions
For the Furlbach Stream Trail, starting points in Augustdorf are at the Augustdorf sports ground and in Augustdorf West. Check local access conditions before setting out. Information boards are located at both starting points of the Dune Trail. The Dünensilhouette viewing platform is directly accessible via Kohlenweg 20; parking is available at Heidehaus or at Nord-West-Ring/Industriestraße. As local traffic regulations may change, check them before travelling. The Augustdorf Circular Route can be reached from Detmold on bus route 390 towards Pollmannskrug Augustdorf. As routes and timetables may change, check the connection before travelling.
Routes through the Augustdorf dune area, the Furlbach valley and the Sennerandweg (Lönspfad) are also designated for horse riders in Augustdorf. They form part of a regional and supraregional bridleway network. Nature conservation rules or temporary closures may affect access, so check the current notices before riding.
Kötter House and local history
The Kötter House at Haustenbecker Straße 107, also known as Rühlmann House, is one of Augustdorf’s last Kötter houses from the late 18th century. It documents the rural building tradition of the period and offers a tangible connection to the town’s agricultural architectural history. Augustdorf’s settlement history also dates back to the late 18th century: a settlement was established at Dören at that time. In 1789, the town was named in honour of Count Simon August. The history of its buildings and development thus complements the nature-focused hiking trails with another perspective on Augustdorf.
Hiking trails in the wider Lippe destination
The wider Lippe destination has a hiking network of around 2,000 kilometres. It includes part of the European long-distance hiking trail E1, as well as the award-winning Hermannshöhen and Hansaweg trails.
Discover more destinations: Detmold, Lügde, Schlangen, Lemgo, Rott, Horn-Bad Meinberg, Bad Salzuflen, Blomberg
Back to the main travel overview: Lippe.
