Nehden: Dinosaur Tracks, Chapel and Hiking Routes

Nehden offers visitors several specific points of interest: dinosaur tracks and the Iguanodon story, hiking routes, a cycling tour connected to the village, and local history.

Dinosaur Tracks and Dinosaur History

A 360° panorama is available on smartphones for “DinoSpuren Nehden.” It shows the habitat of the Iguanodons in the Cretaceous period.

The digital dinosaur route at Dinopark Nehden opened on September 7, 2024. Its concept includes augmented reality, registration via QR code, and a circular route with information, games, and quizzes about Iguanodon.

The two formats have different focuses: the panorama looks at the habitat in the Cretaceous period, while the route combines information and interactive elements about Iguanodon.

Hiking and Cycling

Two Hiking Routes and the N1 Circular Trail

Two hiking routes have been developed in Nehden. They take in local sights, the tranquillity of the forests, and scenic views, while also exploring the village’s history from the Cretaceous period to the present day.

The “Brilon-Nehden (N1)” circular hiking trail is 8.9 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The ascent and descent are each listed as 151 meters. The circular trail starts and ends at the Schützenplatz; the approximate duration gives you a guide for planning your day.

Cycle to the Iguanodon Discovery Site

The cycling tour “In the Land of Limestone Hills – Cycling Around Brilon” takes a short detour to the Iguanodon discovery site in Nehden and the short interactive “DinoSpuren” hiking trail. Check current trail conditions before setting off.

Village History and Local Production

Nehden’s origins date back to the 9th or 10th century. Nehden’s church square was first mentioned in a document on August 19, 1342. St. John’s Chapel was built independently of this in 1681 from rubble stone. Konrad Hermann Ulrich and his father Adam Ulrich built it; it was dedicated to John the Baptist. The dates refer to different points in the village’s history: the early documentary mention of the church square and the chapel’s later construction.

The production of fine spirits is also part of the local profile: Distillery 1113 in Brilon-Nehden distills them in small batches using spring water and organically grown ingredients.

Brilon as the Wider Travel Destination

In the wider travel destination of Brilon, the Iguanodon story continues at the Haus Hövener City Museum. The museum is in the center of Brilon, directly on the market square, and has largely been preserved in its 1910 condition. Original Iguanodon bones discovered in 1978 in a quarry near Brilon-Nehden are on display there. An interactive city model also offers insights into urban life in Brilon in centuries past.

Another topic in Brilon is the Geological Fault: this approximately eight-kilometer-long themed trail runs along geological transitions and panoramic viewpoints. It brings to life two distinct Devonian features: the limestone hills of the Brilon plateau and the diabase deposits of Bilstein. Highlights of the trail include an observation platform on the 634-meter-high Bilstein spoil heap.

Brilon’s old town also offers its own historical focus. It preserves architectural heritage from earlier centuries; a half-timbered ensemble stands on the market square, and the imposing west tower of the Provost Church of St. Peter and St. Andrew is considered a landmark of the city. Brilon’s Schnadezug represents its traditional customs: documented as a boundary walk since 1388, it has a tradition spanning more than 620 years and is one of Westphalia’s defining folk festivals.

Discover more destinations: Madfeld, Hoppecke, Radlinghausen, Gudenhagen, Bontkirchen, Brilon-Wald, Alme

Go to the wider travel overview: Brilon.