Lichtenau combines hiking trails in the nature park with historic sites and special places by the water. The town, with its 15 villages, lies entirely within the Teutoburg Forest/Egge Hills Nature Park. This offers a range of ways to plan a stay: trails through varied landscapes, archaeological sites and historic buildings.
Hiking trails and the nature park
Around Dalheim Monastery, hiking trails of varying lengths lead through the nature park’s landscapes. The Eggeweg, Sintfeld Höhenweg and WestfalenWanderWeg trails also pass through or into the Lichtenau area. For those looking for a specific route length, the Wilderer hiking trail is about 19 kilometres long and described as a circular route. It starts at Gasthaus Engemann in Lichtenau-Kleinenberg and ends in the village centre. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
There is also a named landmark for a cycling tour: Dalheim Monastery lies right on the Paderborner Land Route and can be reached from Lichtenau by bicycle, among other ways. The route is a 250-kilometre circular tour connecting cultural and historic sites with natural attractions in the Paderborner Land region. This means local hiking trails of varying lengths are complemented by a regional cycling route covering a greater overall distance.
Historic traces in Lichtenau
Atteln’s history stretches far back: its large Neolithic burial sites were built about 5,000 years ago as communal tombs. A settled community buried its dead there over several generations. Atteln Spieker offers a very different glimpse into history. Built in 1588, this restored half-timbered house is an example of Weser Renaissance architecture.
Amerungen Chapel also has a long history. The present chapel was built in 1669 by Prince-Bishop Ferdinand von Fürstenberg on the site of a dilapidated predecessor church. Every year on the first Sunday in August, it is a destination for many pilgrims from the Soratgau and Sintfeld regions. The former Blankenrode town castle, which is of particular archaeological significance, offers another glimpse into the past. The Foresters’ Cross commemorates foresters Gies and Steinsträter, who were shot by poachers in 1880.
At Dalheim Monastery, historic grounds meet expansive spaces: it includes around 20,000 square metres of monastery gardens and 3,000 square metres of exhibition space. The gardens and exhibition area offer different perspectives for those interested in the monastery’s history and design.
Water spots and the spring garden
The Altenautal natural swimming pool is in Lichtenau-Atteln. Its swimming area is 25 metres long and 12.5 metres wide, with a separate non-swimmer area. The pool also has a children’s playground, a toddler pool, a water slide and a pebble beach. As a seasonal outdoor swimming facility, its operating periods and opening hours may vary. Check the latest information before planning a visit.
A wetland with characteristic types of vegetation and associated animal and plant species has developed around the spring pools. The central play area has water play equipment, a wading pool and arm baths. The wading pool is open only during the summer months; check whether it is operating before your visit. The landscaped water features and views of the spring landscape offer different ways to experience the place.
The wider Paderborn travel destination
The wider Paderborn travel destination offers other distinct cultural attractions. SchloĂź Neuhaus is in the Paderborn district of the same name and is an example of early Weser Renaissance architecture. The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum in Paderborn takes visitors on a 5,000-year journey through information technology, from the first written characters and historic writing and calculating machines to early computers, modern robots and artificial intelligence. These examples broaden the perspective on the Paderborn travel destination to include urban and technological history.
Discover more destinations: Husen, BĂĽren, Bad Lippspringe, Barkhausen, Paderborn, Salzkotten, Altenbeken, DelbrĂĽck.
Back to the main travel overview: Paderborn.
