Borgholzhausen: Hiking, Castle and Local History

Borgholzhausen can be explored in several ways: the Hermannsweg passes through the town, while Ravensberg Castle, the Luisenturm and traces of sailcloth making offer further perspectives on its history and landscape. There is also a long gingerbread tradition and summer open-air culture. When planning your holiday, it is therefore worth considering whether you would like to spend your days mainly outdoors, at historic sites or enjoying a mix of activities.

Hiking and experiencing the landscape

The Hermannsweg passes through Borgholzhausen. The Luisenturm stands directly along the trail on the Johannisegge. It is located at an elevation of 291 m, and you can climb the tower free of charge. In September 2026, it was temporarily closed for repair work; check its current status before planning a climb.

Local circular hiking trails include the Entdeckerweg, Panoramaweg, Luisenturmweg, Schloss-Brincke Weg and Burg Ravensberg Weg. One option described in more detail is the challenging 13.4 km Barenberg circular route: it is signposted as a Nordic walking route and starts and ends at the Ravensberger Stadium car park. Check the latest route details before setting out.

Barenberg itself also has a distinctive landscape. Old copper beeches grow on Barenberg, east of the Ravensberg-Barenberg nature reserve. Their canopies let very little light reach the ground, so few other plants grow there.

The castle and the history of Borgholzhausen

Ravensberg Castle is the ancestral castle of the Counts of Ravensberg. The castle offers guided visits to the keep, which has a viewing point, as well as guided tours for groups. Check with the operator for current tour arrangements. Another castle is located in the district of Barnhausen: the moated castle of Brincke.

The Bleichhäuschen tells the story of sailcloth making in Borgholzhausen. The Culture and Local History House is home exclusively to original treasures from Borgholzhausen. The Evangelical Church is also part of regional history: it is one of the oldest churches in the Ravensberg region. Together, these places show different sides of local history, from local manufacturing to religious heritage.

Another local speciality is the production of honey-based confections and gingerbread. Borgholzhausen has been known beyond the region as a centre for these products since 1740.

Places for recreation and open-air culture

By the Violenbach, the Generationenpark invites you to play, exercise and relax; there is also outdoor fitness equipment. The Kiepenkerl is a selfie spot where visitors can stop and take photos. Hikers and cyclists pass it along their route. So, alongside longer excursions, Borgholzhausen also offers public places to get active or take a short break.

Each summer, PIUMER Bauerntheater e. V. stages a play in Low German at the open-air and nature theatre in Borgholzhausen. At the open-air and nature theatre in Bönkerscher Steinbruch, events include theatre performances—some also in Low German—and open-air concerts. If you would like a performance to be the centrepiece of your stay, check the specific event dates.

Plan your stay and holiday apartment

Borgholzhausen offers a range of themes to explore: hiking, local history, local traditions and open-air culture. You can plan your days around a hike, a historic site or an event rather than trying to fit everything into a fixed schedule. Your preferred mix of activities is a good starting point when looking for a holiday apartment.

Nature in the wider Gütersloh destination

The wider Gütersloh destination also offers a view of the district as a whole: large parts of the Gütersloh district have been designated a landscape conservation area since 23 March 1975. Nature reserves are the strictest category of protection there. Their primary purpose is to protect nature, and only secondarily to provide people with places for recreation. This regional perspective complements Borgholzhausen’s local hiking and landscape themes.

Discover more destinations: Harsewinkel, Gütersloh, Versmold, Herzebrock-Clarholz, Langenberg, Steinhagen, Werther, Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock

Back to the wider travel overview: Gütersloh.