How much architectural history and nature would you like to shape your stay in Lippborg? Haus Assen tells a story that dates back to the 14th century; the present-day Renaissance castle was built in 1564. There are also woodland and waterside landscapes, as well as activities in a variety of formats. To plan your visit, you can first decide how to balance architecture, nature and guided activities.
Haus Assen: Moated Castle and Renaissance
Haus Assen moated castle in Lippetal-Lippborg is a historic water castle with origins in the 14th century. The present-day Renaissance castle was built in 1564. Three wings of the manor house are grouped around a rectangular courtyard and date from around 1564. The information therefore distinguishes between the castle’s origins and the later Renaissance complex.
Haus Assen belongs to the art-historically important second phase of the Weser Renaissance. At the same time, it is one of Westphalia’s most significant aristocratic residences and one of the Hellweg region’s most important Renaissance monuments. The castle thus offers both a tangible insight into architectural history and a connection to broader art-historical contexts. Public guided tours and events take place regularly. If you are planning a visit, check the relevant dates.
Woodland and Waters in Lippborg
Uentroper Forest in Lippetal-Lippborg covers 242 hectares. This large deciduous woodland is characterised by near-natural, species-rich stands of oak and hornbeam. A different type of landscape is found in the “Strängenbach/Wesendahlsbach” protected area in the Lippborg district: it covers 6.8 hectares and includes a near-natural, structurally diverse watercourse east of Uentroper Forest. The two area figures represent different scales—a large woodland and a smaller protected area with a watercourse.
Tours and Guided Activities
The “Prima Klima Route” in Lippborg is a nature and environmental rally of around 10 kilometres. Each stop includes a task, so the route combines exercise with a rally format. The 2026 visitor programme also features the guided cycling tour “Nature in the Lippe Floodplain around Lippborg”. It starts at the car park on Ilmerweg, is around 12 kilometres long and lasts 3.5 to 4 hours. The length and duration provide a more specific timeframe for this guided tour than the rally’s distance alone. Check the programme for the date, as schedules may change.
A spiritual church tour is also on the 2026 programme: it takes place by arrangement at the Church of Ss. Cornelius and Cyprianus in Lippborg and lasts 1.5 hours. Arrange the details in advance. As a separate attraction, Golfclub Stahlberg im Lippetal e. V. in Lippetal-Lippborg has an 18-hole golf course.
Lippetal as a Wider Destination
In the wider destination of Lippetal, the Lippe and Ahse floodplains offer accessible floodplain landscapes and opportunities for observing nature. West of Lippborg, you can observe the change between high and low water levels in the Lippe floodplain: during high water, the extensive grassland areas and water bodies are completely inundated. As the water level falls, still waters and damp hollows attract numerous bird species. This creates a nature experience in which water levels also shape the conditions for observation.
Cyclists will find routes in Lippetal at markedly different distances. The Auenland Cycle Route through the Lippe floodplains and the adjoining Ahse meadows to the south covers almost 70 kilometres, extends 37 kilometres from east to west, and connects 14 observation points and places to rest. The 295-kilometre Römer-Lippe Route also passes through Lippetal and runs from Detmold to Xanten. These long-distance routes should be distinguished from the shorter options in Lippborg; their stated distances refer to different levels of trip planning.
Another nature experience in Lippetal is the nine-metre-high observation tower near Hultrop. From there, you can look out over the Ahsewiesen nature reserve between Hultrop and Wiltrop. Lippetal municipal guides offer cycling tours, walking tours and coach tours throughout the year. If you would like to include a guided tour in your trip, check the current arrangements with the local provider.
For the wider travel overview: Lippetal.
