Please note: There is a detour directly below the Hermannsdenkmal due to construction work. The detour is signposted on site.
A detour is also necessary in the Stemberg area in Holzhausen-Externsteinen due to ongoing forestry work.
You can find a graphic of this at www.hermannshöhen.de under "News".
An overview of the stage:
1. Start and finish point of the stage
The stage starts at the Hermannsdenkmal and ends in Leopoldstal.
2. Length of the stage in kilometers / altitude difference / route character
The stage has a length of approx. 17 km with an altitude difference of approx. 550 m. The route is mostly flat or slightly hilly with some short but steep sections.
3. Scenic features
This stage takes you along the widening ridge of the southern Teutoburg Forest and passes the transition to the Eggegebirge at Velmerstot. At the foot of the low mountain ridge stretches the wide sand and heathland landscape of the Senne. The Eggeweg begins at the foot of the legendary Externsteine and runs parallel to the Hermannsweg until the end of stage 09. Before the ascent to the Velmerstot in Lippe, the trail leads through the Silberbach valley along the Silberbach stream. At the end of the stage is the Lippische Velmerstot - a barren summit with a rugged rocky landscape.
Note: While the Eggeweg leads to the neighboring summit of the Prussian Velmerstot, the Hermannsweg leads down to Leopoldstal. An additional 2,200 m must be calculated for the access route to Leopoldstal.
Highlights on the route
- The Hermannsdenkmal - the landmark of the Hermannshöhen: The monument, which is 54 meters high in total, commemorates Hermann the Cheruscan, who won the Varus Battle against the Romans in 9 AD. Tip: You have a great view of the landscape from the monument's viewing platform.
- The Teuto Climbing Park at the foot of the Hermann Monument near Detmold offers six courses of varying difficulty with more than 80 climbing stations. All climbing enthusiasts will get their money's worth in the varied world of ropes, trees and platforms.
- The historic old town of Detmold: Former residential town with the Residential Palace and the Westphalian Open-Air Museum.
- The Berlebeck Eagle Sanctuary: Europe's oldest and most species-rich bird of prey sanctuary. Here you can experience 180 large and small birds of prey of various species. Tip: Be sure to visit the flight shows. The falconers will tell you interesting and entertaining facts about the warren and the birds of prey that live there.
- The Externsteine: The most important natural and cultural monument in the Teutoburg Forest. Myths and legends surround the five vertically towering stones. Tip: Climbing the rocks is worthwhile. You have a wonderful panoramic view from the Externsteine.
You can find a good interactive tour map here:
