Wettringen: Water, Trails and the Local Heritage House

Nature, water, trails and craftsmanship give Wettringen its varied character. When planning your visit, the main considerations are how Haddorfer Seen is used, the specific route itineraries and how to arrive by train. Brechte Nature Reserve and the historic local heritage house are further points of interest.

Nature and water

Brechte Nature Reserve (ST-123) covers 45.43 hectares and is located in Wettringen. It represents a clearly defined focus on protected nature in the municipality. This is distinct from the Haddorfer Seen recreation area: the lakes there are used for various water activities, while Brechte is designated as a nature reserve.

The Haddorfer Seen recreation area is in the north of the municipality of Wettringen. The lakes are used by anglers, sailors, surfers and swimmers. There is also a lake designed for swimming. If you are planning a visit specifically for swimming, this distinction is useful: the swimming-lake concept applies to one lake. Swimming conditions may vary by season, so check the current situation before your visit.

Trails and tours

A varied hiking route leads from the local heritage house through the Aa-Bauernschaft to Maxhafen, along the Steinfuter Aa, past a Spieker (traditional granary) and back to the centre of Wettringen. The northern loop of the 100 Castles Route also starts and ends in Wettringen. The routes have different points of reference: the hike passes several waypoints, while the northern loop has a set start and finish in town.

The Vechtetal Route is easily accessible from the centre of Wettringen. Check the access point and trail signs before setting out.

Heimathaus Ahlers and craftsmanship

Heimathaus Ahlers is about 500 years old and the oldest building in the municipality of Wettringen. The Wettringen local heritage house contains numerous exhibits of traditional crafts, including a spinning wheel, a loom and information boards about blue-dye printing. The building’s age and the craft exhibition offer different points of interest: the history of an old building meets tangible examples of traditional ways of working. The local heritage house also has an adjoining farmyard and park.

Getting here and other activities

Wettringen no longer has its own railway station. Travel by train via Rheine station or Burgsteinfurt station, then take the R80 to Wettringen. The final leg of the journey should therefore be part of your planning from the outset. Check the R80 timetable for your travel date to plan your onward journey.

The indoor swimming pool in Wettringen has a 32-degree warm leisure pool for toddlers. For planning your day, this is a different swimming option from a seasonal visit to the Haddorfer Seen: a leisure pool indoors rather than a lake designed for swimming in the recreation area.

Steinfurt District as a regional setting

A parkland landscape with numerous manor houses, moated castles, monasteries and palaces shapes the character of Steinfurt District. The Steinfurt District Teaching Garden also receives more than 100,000 garden enthusiasts each year. For those interested in gardens and architectural heritage, this broadens the range of topics beyond the local offerings in Wettringen.

Discover more destinations: Haddorf, Greven, Nordwalde, Metelen, Lienen, Recke, Rheine, Westerkappeln.

For the overview of destinations in the wider area: Steinfurt.