Nesthausen can be explored through two distinct themes: the history of the district and the activities around Lake Nesthausen. A 3,500-metre illuminated running loop, the Paderborn Lakes Tour and historical connections offer different reasons to visit. When planning, it is also worth distinguishing between Nesthausen’s own character and the wider travel destination of Paderborn.
Local History and Village Life
Nesthausen was first mentioned in 1296 under the name “Nosthusen”. Nesthauser Straße leads from Elsen to the district. A project featuring historical information boards in Elsen also explores local history: one board is titled “The Farming Community of Nesthausen”. There is a route for visiting the boards on foot or by bicycle.
In 1989, the City of Paderborn made the Heimatverein Nesthausen’s festival grounds at Lake Nesthausen available to the association. The grounds are regarded as the centre, or village square, of Nesthausen. The Nesthausen Heimatfest includes a bird-shooting competition. Street names, historical boards and the festival grounds thus reflect different aspects of local life, though they do not have to be combined into a single walking route.
Running Loop, Cycling Route and Water Sports
Lake Nesthausen has a 3,500-metre loop for running. It is fully lit, with starting points at the water-ski facility or on the east side of the lake. The lighting is specified as operating from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you would rather explore a cycling route, one version of the Paderborn Lakes Tour runs alongside Lake Nesthausen. The lake is also known as the “water-ski lake”.
At the nearby Lake Nesthausen, two water-ski cableways invite you to get out on the water. Wasserski Paderborn has free beach volleyball courts, whose use is included in the admission price and subject to opening hours. Stand-up paddleboarding is also available from Wasserski Paderborn. The rental station is open during the water-ski cableway’s operating hours. Check the relevant opening and operating hours when planning to use these facilities.
Landscape and Protected Areas
The protected landscape feature LB 2.4.21, “Row of Oak Trees and Hedgerow in Nesthausen”, lies between Federal Highway 64 to the south and Nesthauser Straße to the north. This precise location describes the landscape feature, while the running route and water sports offer other ways to experience the area.
In the Lippeniederung bei Sande nature reserve, the still-water biotic communities of the former extraction ponds “Nesthauser Grundsee” and “Heddinghauser See” are protected. The water bodies are designated for subsequent use as a nature reserve. Here, the name Nesthauser Grundsee belongs to a distinct protected-area context, separate from the activities at Lake Nesthausen.
Paderborn as a Separate City Destination
In the wider travel destination of Paderborn, more than 200 Pader springs rise in the city centre. The Pader Springs area below the cathedral and Abdinghof is protected as a historic garden. The Museum in the Imperial Palace presents the history of Paderborn and Westphalia from the 6th to the 12th century. The permanent exhibition at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum spans 5,000 years of the past, present and future of information technology—from cuneiform writing to the internet and robotics. These attractions belong to Paderborn’s distinct city context.
When looking for a holiday apartment, it therefore helps to start by choosing a location: Would you like Nesthausen, with its history and activities around the lake, to be the focus, or would you prefer to seek out the springs and museums in the wider travel destination of Paderborn? Base your search on the location whose attractions you want to shape your stay.
For the wider travel overview: Paderborn.
