The Westphalian Seven
Cities and municipalities at a glance
Seven places.
Seven characters. One region.
The seven towns and municipalities of Espelkamp, Hille, Hüllhorst, Lübbecke, Preußisch Oldendorf, Rahden, and Stemwede offer an appealing mix of active experiences and relaxed recreation options. Whether nature experiences, leisure activities, or a quiet break – the region offers the right option for everyone.
City of Espelkamp
Espelkamp is a young city with a distinctive origin: a planned town developed on the site of a former army munitions facility, surrounded by eight districts and plenty of green space.
The Espelkamp city guides offer compact city and cycling tours with clear insights into the city’s development. Forests, lakes, the Mittelland Canal and historic districts create ideal conditions for active leisure and relaxing breaks.
Municipality of Hille
The municipality of Hille combines rural landscapes with regional features such as historic mills, a grain distillery, and a large peat bog. Nine villages shape the municipal area and provide a quiet, nature-oriented setting.
The health resort of Rothenuffeln, with its spa park and local hotels, represents health-focused tourism. Treatments such as peat packs make use of the resources of the nearby peat bog.
Municipality of Hüllhorst
A small half-timbered village in the middle of the Wiehen Hills – the Kahle Wart open-air stage attracts many visitors to Hüllhorst during the summer months. In the village center, the municipality offers an innovative walk: more than 100 information panels with current and historical content are distributed across buildings and public spaces and can be accessed via QR code. Hikers find a variety of trails in the Wiehen Hills and appreciate the local cafés and dining options.
City of Lübbecke
The town on the northern slope of the Wiehen Hills offers fascinating nature and a lively cultural scene.
The Mittelland Canal, the Great Bog and the Wiehen Hills are suited for active holidays, while the town center with cafés, restaurants and many shops stands for a relaxed atmosphere.
The Nettelstedt open-air stage, the civic hall and the jazz club shape the city’s cultural life.
City of Preußisch Oldendorf
Set against the Wiehen Hills, Preußisch Oldendorf offers ideal conditions for relaxation with two climatic health resorts and the spa town of Bad Holzhausen. Spa and holiday guests as well as families will find an appealing mix of health services, nature experiences and sporting activities here.
Town of Rahden
Rahden offers a good mix of urban life and regional leisure activities. The Museumshof, one of the town’s most well-known attractions, vividly presents rural life in earlier times and complements the historic town center, which is suited for short breaks and small discoveries.
For active outings, Rahden is a practical starting point: destinations such as the NRW North Point or the Great Stone of Tonnenheide are easily reachable by bike. An additional highlight for families and groups is the handcar route between Rahden and Hann. Ströhen.
Municipality of Stemwede
Stemwede is located in the Dümmer Nature Park and, with the Stemweder Berg, marks the last elevation before the North German Plain. The municipality stands for a welcoming atmosphere and good conditions for cycling and hiking tours through varied landscapes.
A popular destination is “Rila erleben”: Covering more than 25,000 square meters, themed gardens, a gourmet food world, and seasonal gastronomy offer a diverse experience for a relaxed day trip.
