Unwind in NRW: 10 quiet places in nature
It's astonishing: No other German state has such a high population density as North Rhine-Westphalia. On average, 525 people live per square kilometer. Only the city-states in Germany are more densely populated.
But that doesn't mean your trip to the west will always be surrounded by crowds. There are also quieter regions where you can enjoy a relaxing trip or vacation. We present ten tranquil spots in North Rhine-Westphalia .
If you enjoy crossing borders, you should consider a short break on the German-Belgian border. Here lies the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park, a paradise that stretches across parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Belgian province of Liège.
The High Fens-Eifel Nature Park covers an area of almost 3,000 square kilometers.
Source: imago images/Peter Schickert
There's a lot to discover, as the nature park covers an area of almost 3,000 square kilometers! This also means you can choose what you want to see on your short trip: heathlands or raised bogs? Forests or lakes? Castles or monasteries? There are also several medieval half-timbered towns, like the enchanting Monschau, where you can take a lovely stroll.
A short vacation spiced with a touch of mystical flair? That's guaranteed when you head to the Teutoburg Forest. This low mountain region in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony flies under the radar for many, but there's not only much to see, but above all, to experience: The Teutoburg Forest is often referred to as the "healing garden of Germany."
The Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest are protected as natural and cultural monuments.
Source: imago images / Rupert Oberhäuser
Almost the entire Teutoburg Forest belongs to two neighboring nature parks. A special atmosphere prevails here. The Externsteine (Extern Stones) rise mysteriously into the sky, monolithic: This impressive sandstone formation is up to 40 meters high. They have long been said to have magical powers. In addition to the forest and numerous hiking trails, traditional spas and health resorts, towns, and half-timbered villages also attract visitors on vacation.
In the far northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia, you'll discover a unique feature: 43 windmills, watermills, and horse mills, along with Germany's only ship mill capable of grinding, have been preserved and restored here. That's why the district is named after them: Minden-Lübbecke Mill District.
One of the numerous windmills in the Minden-Lübbecke mill district.
Source: imago images/imagebroker
You can visit various mills powered by water, wind, or horses, and enjoy wonderful hikes. The 65-kilometer-long Mühlensteig trail leads through the Weser and Wiehen Hills past some of the mills. If you're lucky, you might be there on milling and baking days. Then the mills are decorated for folklore events.
Germany's heathlands are automatically associated with the far north, but you can also take a break in this unique landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia. Near the Haltern Reservoir lies the approximately 90-hectare Westrup Heath.
Sunset in the Westruper Heide near Haltern am See in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia
The Westrup Heath is home to numerous endangered animal and plant species and has been a nature reserve since 1937. The area is divided into two zones. Towards the reservoir, the landscape is expansive and open, offering sweeping views across the heathland. Further east, you'll discover wild juniper bushes, which give the heath its magical appearance.
You can't get more nature and tranquility than this: The 110-square-kilometer Eifel National Park stretches between Heimbach, Rurberg, Höfen, and Gemünd. This natural paradise is wildly romantic and boasts a fascinating history: As a so-called development national park, nature is left to its own devices.
There is no more nature in North Rhine-Westphalia: the Eifel National Park.
Source: IMAGO/Westend61
This means that the extensive forests and open landscapes are on their way back to wilderness, and endangered species find a safe haven here. A trip to the Eifel National Park is worthwhile: You'll learn a lot about the local ecosystems. The park can be explored independently or as part of a guided tour. There are 240 kilometers of hiking trails, 104 kilometers of which are open to cyclists, and 65 kilometers for horseback riders.
South of the city of Duisburg, six lakes create a stunningly beautiful landscape where you can find plenty of peace and quiet. The so-called Six Lakes Plateau is a local recreation area and consists of Lake Warmbach, Lake Masuren, Lake Böllert, Lake Wolf, Lake Wildförster, and Lake Haubachsee.
The Duisburg Six-Lakes Plateau is a recreational area consisting of six lakes.
Source: IMAGO/Zoonar
The entire area covers an area of 283 hectares and offers numerous natural wonders as well as a wide range of recreational activities. You can walk and hike, go horseback riding, sail, or fish—and, of course, swim in all the lakes in summer.
You'll find a good dose of peace and quiet in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district in the Rothaar Mountains. 61.8 percent of the area here is covered by forest, the highest percentage in Germany. The Rothaar Mountains are a low mountain range, whose core is formed by the Hochsauerland region and the Rothaar range to the southwest, on the Rhine-Weser watershed. The highest mountain is the Langenberg, the highest in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The impressive landscape of the Rothaargebirge in the Sauerland.
Source: IMAGO/CHROMORANGE
Numerous hiking trails lead through the Rothaargebirge, including the Rothaarsteig, a 154-kilometer-long high-altitude hiking trail, and the Forest Sculpture Trail, which features numerous works of art and sculptures by various artists. In winter, the mountains offer numerous winter sports opportunities.
In Münsterland, the 100 Castles Route stretches a whopping 960 kilometers. Visitors are so well spread out here that you're guaranteed to find a quiet spot for yourself. The cycle route is divided into four circuits: the North, South, East, and West. You can complete partial stages along the way or plan a multi-day cycling trip – including overnight stays and luggage transfer.
Spectacular: The moated castle of Isselburg in Westmünsterland.
Source: IMAGO/Zoonar
The route is mostly flat and well-maintained, passing meadows, pastures, rivers, streams, lakes—and, of course, castles. More than 100 castles, palaces, manor houses, and moated estates are on the list. Special highlights include Vischering Castle in Lüdinghausen, Hülshoff Castle in Havixbeck, and Anholt Castle in Isselburg.
In the southwest of North Rhine-Westphalia, a picturesque landscape invites you to take a break: the Bergisches Land region, with its more than 2,100 square kilometers of Bergisches Land Nature Park. Tourists and residents of the surrounding cities of Wuppertal, Remscheid, and Solingen alike come here to unwind.
The Bergisches Land Nature Park is over 2100 square kilometers in size.
Source: PantherMedia / Alexander Ludwig
However, visitors are well spread out, so everyone can find peace and quiet if they wish. There's also plenty to do in the national park: those who want can go hiking, climbing, cycling, horseback riding, or try their hand at water and winter sports, ballooning, or hang gliding.
Where else but North Rhine-Westphalia can you discover industrial heritage? A special highlight is the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park. Here, industrial heritage and nature combine to create a unique park landscape.
Magical atmosphere: sunset in the Duisburg-Nord landscape park.
Source: PantherMedia / Alice Didszoleit
Where factories once stood and workers toiled, nature is now allowed to take its course: The blast furnaces of the Duisburg-Meiderich steelworks have been out of operation since 1985. Since then, the site has been used creatively, and visitors can relax but also be active.
There are fantastic panoramas along the river promenades and on the viewing platform, and lots of fun awaits in the climbing and bunker gardens, the diving area and the summer cinema.
Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter , and the best travel deals on our deals page.
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