Westerkappeln: Nature Trails and Local History
Accommodation in Westerkappeln
Westerkappeln combines varied landscapes with distinctive places in the town centre. Along the trails, you’ll come across wet meadows, bodies of water and wooded areas, as well as a listed town church, public art and activities for a range of interests. When planning your holiday, you can decide whether nature experiences, local history or a mix of both should take centre stage.
Redesign of the old churchyard and church square in Westerkappeln city centre.
Photo: J.-H. Janßen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nature Trails and Varied Landscapes
Wet meadows, bodies of water and wooded areas line the Westerkappeln Nature Experience Trail. Orchards and pollarded willows are also part of the landscape along the route. The megalithic tomb known as the “Sloopsteine” adds a striking historical monument. The succession of wet meadows, water, woodland and orchards gives the trail a variety of landscape impressions.
The long circular route through Westerkappeln offers a different perspective. It runs mostly along paved paths, leading from the north of the municipality through the “Düsterdieker Niederung” bird sanctuary and nature reserve to the protected areas in the hilly south, the “Mettener Schweiz”. This means that the tour takes in both the northern protected areas and the hilly southern landscape. The predominantly paved surface is a specific feature of the route, while the landscape changes along the way.
Church, Town Centre and Art
The listed town church is a prominent focal point of local life. First mentioned in the 12th century, it was originally Romanesque and has been rebuilt several times. Its history stretches back a long way, while the alterations reflect different phases in its architectural history.
The church square by the Protestant town church in the town centre was redesigned in 2013. Its newly paved surface is wheelchair accessible. The square features a water feature that offers a refreshing break in the summer months, a small playground and outdoor dining. It is also used for many events throughout the year. For trip planning, this central spot brings together public space, a place to play and a venue for events.
The former Haus Cappeln manor lies on the northwestern edge of town. The grand estate is designed in the Renaissance style, with a moat and gardens surrounding the building. In the town centre, the fountain featuring the “Golden Hare” at Kreuzplatz commemorates a work by conceptual artist Heinrich Brummack: it was created in 2003 based on his design. Both places add their own architectural and artistic touches to the church square.
A collection of around 600 works commemorating Westerkappeln artist Gustav Künnemann can be viewed at the Bilderlager, at Bahnhofstraße 5 in the town centre. Visits with a guide must be arranged in advance. A visit can offer insight into the local commemoration of art while also taking in the town centre.
Experiences and Regional Character
The Schachselwiesen premium walking trail features a geocaching tour for children; a matching treasure map is available from the tourist information office. At the Velpe watermill, organically grown grain is milled using water power and then baked into wholegrain bread in a stone oven. These two examples offer different experiences: the tour provides a specific activity, while the mill gives visitors an insight into one way of processing grain.
The Steinfurt destination as a whole also offers a wider regional setting. Steinfurt District has 116 nature reserves covering a total area of around 13,231 hectares, as well as 78 landscape conservation areas covering around 27,774 hectares. These area figures may change as new areas are designated. For regional cycling tours, the Triangel, officially inaugurated in 2023, is the district’s first cycle route. It is around 62 kilometres long and offers fast, safe and comfortable cycle paths. The Ems Cycle Path runs for around 60 kilometres through Steinfurt District. These regional routes and areas complement Westerkappeln’s nature trails and local attractions without replacing them.
Choose the Right Focus
When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you want to focus on: nature trails and protected areas, historic sites and events in the town centre, or cycle routes around the Steinfurt destination. The locations of the town church, church square and Bilderlager, along with Haus Cappeln on the northwestern edge of town, provide useful reference points. Then compare your preferred focus with the location of your accommodation so your base suits the experiences you want to prioritise.
Discover more destinations: Lengerich, Mettingen, Lienen, Laer, Rheine, Nordwalde, Neuenkirchen, Metelen.
View the overview of the wider destination: Steinfurt.
