A Romanesque tower, historic images in a digital tour, and trails through valleys and forests give Lienen its distinctive character. The tower of the Evangelical Church in Lienen dates from a 12th-century building and is the oldest visible part of the church’s structure. For active days, options range from the 1 km BARFUSS-PARK to hiking and cycling routes that cover much greater distances. You can choose whether to focus your stay on local history, nature or outdoor activities.
Hiking routes of varying lengths
The 13 km circular “Holperdorper” route is one of eight Teutoschleifen trails in the Tecklenburger Land. It runs from Lienen through colourful meadows and expansive forests. The Hermannsweg follows a different route: it passes through Lienen and is 156 km long in total, running from Rheine to Velmerstot. The section in Lienen goes over Westerbecker Berg, the highest point in the Münsterland. This gives you a named circular trail alongside a route with a much longer total distance.
The Lienener Osning nature reserve, with its ridges in the Teutoburg Forest, is inviting for walks and hikes on the Holperdorper or Hermannsweg trails throughout the year. In northern Lienen, beyond the Teutoburg Forest, lies the Holperdorper Valley in a scenic landscape. The Duvensteine, a striking rock formation on the border with Lower Saxony, are located there. Vegetation can restrict access on foot, so bear this in mind when planning your visit.
Valley, views and nature
A viewing platform at the hiking car park on Zum Steinbruch road offers views of the quarry and the MĂĽnsterland park landscape. The BARFUSS-PARK Lienen offers a different kind of nature experience. Its 1 km route includes sensory impressions from wood, stones, bark mulch, grass, clay and water. A viewpoint and a trail that incorporates a range of materials thus offer different ways to experience nature.
Local history and getting around
The digital tour “Historic Lienen” starts at the Evangelical Church in Lienen. The 3.5 km route combines historic and contemporary images, audio, text and augmented reality. It is available through the free “Future History” smartphone app and as a web version. These different media come together in a tour of the town’s history.
The Lienen Tourist Information Office is in the Haus des Gastes, right by the village pond in the town centre. The 35 km northern loop of the 100 Castles Route can also be started at the Haus des Gastes. Another possible starting point is Kattenvenne station. This means you can start the cycling route either in the town centre or at the specifically named railway station.
More activities and planning
The Eisenbahntradition association offers trips on historic trains from Lienen station, including steam locomotives and carriages. If you are planning a trip, check the specific dates in advance. The Lienen indoor and outdoor swimming pool is another leisure option; the indoor pool has 200 m² of water surface.
When looking for a hotel in Lienen, your planned focus can help guide your choice: culture, hiking and cycling offer different ways to experience the town and its surroundings. The route distances provide concrete points of comparison: 3.5 km for the digital tour, 13 km for the Holperdorper and 35 km for the northern loop. Which option suits your stay depends on the activities you want to focus on.
Discover more destinations: Lengerich, Laer, Hopsten, Westerkappeln, Metelen, Mettingen, Tecklenburg, Nordwalde
For the main travel overview: Steinfurt.
