Elmpt: Schwalmbruch, Trails and Local History

Get to know Elmpt through its natural surroundings, outdoor activities and local history. The Elmpter Schwalmbruch is home to protected biotopes and a variety of landscapes, while hiking and cycling routes offer two different ways to explore the area. Historic buildings and the local history archive at Haus Hansen round out these themes.

Landscape and Nature

The legally protected biotopes in the Elmpter Schwalmbruch include woodland and marsh forests, wet meadows rich in sedges and rushes, dry grassland, heathland with dwarf shrubs, broom and juniper, as well as flowing waters and standing inland waters. The listed landscape types range from wet woodland and meadows to dry grassland and heath. A short detour along the route takes you to the largest juniper heath on the left bank of the Lower Rhine and to restored former channels of the Schwalm, which you can view from an observation tower. In addition to the protected biotopes, heathland and river scenery are also highlights to look out for on a nature excursion.

Hiking and Cycling Routes

The premium “Schwalmbruch” hiking trail is 15.5 kilometres long and can be divided into sections. It alternates between wild woodland and cultivated farmland, repeatedly following the Schwalm. When planning your hike, you can take into account both the total distance and the option of splitting it into sections; the changing landscapes are another feature of the trail.

The Niederkrüchten cycling loop starts at Elmpt Town Hall in Niederkrüchten-Elmpt. From there, it passes Haus Elmpt, runs through the Elmpter Wald and the “Lüsekamp und Boschbeek” nature reserve, then continues to the Elmpter Schwalmbruch and the Elmpter Chapel of St Mary at the Heath. The two routes offer different planning details: the premium hiking trail is described in terms of its length, sections and changing landscapes, while the cycling loop is described by its starting point and the sequence of named places along the way.

Local History Archive and Historic Sites

At the local history archive in Haus Hansen, Laurentiusstr. 15, 41372 Niederkrüchten-Elmpt, you can consult archival collections on associations, people, chronicles, customs and regional topics. The archive is open on the first Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Check the opening time before travelling.

It is also worth distinguishing between the dates associated with the historic buildings. The manor house Haus Elmpt dates back to the 15th century and has a Baroque gate tower dating from 1750. The Elmpter Chapel of St Mary at the Heath in Overhetfeld was first mentioned in 1703. For the manor house, the dates refer to the age of the house and the date of the gate tower; for the chapel, 1703 marks its first mention.

Niederkrüchten as the Wider Destination

At Hariksee, in the wider destination of Niederkrüchten, the 3.5-kilometre A 5 circular trail links the two attractions on the lake and offers views of the water. You can rent boats at the Inselschlösschen and Mühlrather Mühle and explore the lake under your own power, or take a trip on the “Patschel” excursion boat. Hariksee therefore offers both a lakeside circular walk and ways to experience the lake from the water.

Another tour in the wider destination is the “Rund ‘Lauf’ Niederkrüchten” circular route. It is listed as 54.44 kilometres long, runs around Niederkrüchten and is intended for cyclists and pedestrians. The much shorter A 5 loop at Hariksee and this longer circular route offer different distances to consider when planning a tour in the wider destination.

See the overview of the wider destination: Niederkrüchten.