Ahden: Hiking in the Alme Valley

Ahden lies in the Alme Valley. For your trip, there are two clearly different hiking options to choose from: an easy 3.2-kilometer loop and a 27-kilometer hiking route. Other highlights include the parish church of St. Anthony the Hermit and the Quax Hangar at Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport in Büren-Ahden. Hiking, local history, and views of the airport each offer a different focus.

Hiking from the Klus Chapel

The A3 hiking trail, “Heinbergweg,” is an easy 3.2-kilometer circular hike that starts and ends at the Klus Chapel in Ahden. This short tour, with a fixed start and finish, offers a clear contrast to the much longer hiking route. There is a parking lot and a hiking information board right next to the chapel. The Klus Chapel grounds are considered freely accessible; check current access arrangements before your visit.

The 27-kilometer hiking route leads via the Ahdener Talweg to Wewelsburg. On the return leg, it follows the Alme along the Kaiserroute through Ahden to Brenken. The Heinbergweg starts and ends at the Klus Chapel, while the longer route takes in several named sections and places. This allows you to compare a short loop with a more extensive route when planning your trip.

Local history and views of the airport

The parish church of St. Anthony the Hermit in Ahden was built in 1911 and 1912. The Quax Hangar at Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport in Büren-Ahden offers a different perspective: its rooftop terrace affords panoramic views of the runway, taxiways, and apron. The trails in the Alme Valley and the views of the airport’s various areas therefore appeal to different interests.

More destinations in the wider destination of Büren

In the wider destination of Büren, independent cultural attractions complement the themes in Ahden. The Jesuit Church of “Maria Immaculata” in downtown Büren was built in the late Baroque style between 1754 and 1773, based on plans by Franz Heinrich Roth. It is considered one of the most magnificent Baroque works in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Bernhard Wolff School Museum in the town of Büren illustrates school life during the German Empire with furniture, pictures, documents, and posters. Its main exhibit is a classroom from around the turn of the century. Visitors can write on slate boards with a slate pencil.

Wewelsburg is also part of the wider destination of Büren. It was built between 1603 and 1609 as a triangular castle in the Weser Renaissance style. The museum on the history of the former Prince-Bishopric of Paderborn presents the history of the Paderborn region in 29 rooms, from the earliest settlement to secularization in 1802. For more nature and outdoor activities in Büren, the Almeauen form an expansive park landscape with circular hiking trails, a nature trail, and Nordic walking routes. During the summer months, public guided tours of about 60 minutes are regularly held at the Mittel- and Bohrmühle mills in Büren; months with special events are excluded. Check the current tour schedule before your visit.

For the wider travel overview: Büren.