Steinhorst Basin – St. John's Chapel, Rietberg loop from Rietberg

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Kreis Gütersloh

Rietberg

Steinhorst Basin – St. John's Chapel, Rietberg loop from Rietberg

Hard

hikers

Steinhorst Basin – St. John's Chapel, Rietberg loop from Rietberg

06:33

26.0km

40m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 3, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Steinhorster Becken

Rietberger Emsniederung

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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10.0 km

South Observation Tower at Steinhorster Becken

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Steinhorst Basin is an absolute must-see for any nature lover. This biotope is the largest man-made biotope of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia and provides a wonderful habitat for …

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10.9 km

Steinhorster Becken Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural Monument

Great circular route, easy to hike, very interesting bird watching possible (storks, barnacle geese, gray geese, grebes, coot, mallards, cuckoo, nightingale), and many more. Nice restaurant at the parking lot with great map!

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11.5 km

Floodplain landscape

Highlight • River

Everything was cut down. Clear-cutting by the end of 2025.

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11.7 km

Steinhorst Basin

Highlight • Lake

The Steinhorster Basin is considered the largest human-made biotope in North Rhine-Westphalia. Here native, but also many migrating waders and waterbirds find undisturbed areas for breeding, resting or feeding. The …

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11.8 km

Benches with a view of Steinhorster Becken

Highlight • Viewpoint

The new benches are lovely. Sit down and enjoy nature.

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12.1 km

Observation Tower at Steinhorster Becken

Highlight • Viewpoint

If you hiked around the Steinhorster basin, then you can stop there (about 10 m from the parking lot) at Hof Brinkmeyer. In good weather, the beer garden, with many …

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12.7 km

Small Waterfall at Steinhorster Becken

Highlight • Waterfall

Interesting small waterfall. In winter, the water is quite brown, as many humic substances are dissolved in the water!

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25.1 km

St. John's Chapel, Rietberg

Highlight • Religious Site

Curved lines and an essentially oval floor plan make the little Johanneskapelle an absolutely original place of worship. The chapel dates from 1747 and is dedicated to the bridge saint Johannes Nepomuk.

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