Ravensberg Castle Trail | Circular hiking trail around the Barenberg

The 6.7 km long and marked circular hiking trail begins in the Clever Gorge and leads around the Barenberg. Hikers are treated to wonderful views. The destination of the hike is Ravensberg Castle, one of the mightiest fortified castles in northern Germany. From the observation tower, visitors have an unmistakable view over the countryside. Equally impressive is the well house with its functioning old winding wheel and fully illuminated castle well. It is also worth taking a walk around the castle grounds, where you can marvel at the remains of the castle walls and the castle garden. Guided tours of the castle, including a climb up the tower and a visit to the fountain, are available.

The Ravensberg Castle restaurant is located in the historic forester's house/inn designed by Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The terrace attracts many guests at weekends and on public holidays.

In the immediate vicinity of the path is a quarry where the striking yellow Osning sandstone from the Lower Cretaceous period was once mined. It provided the stones for the renovation of Ravensburg Castle 180 years ago and for the construction of the forester's lodge and several farmhouses below the castle. The descent from the castle leads through the Ravensberg forest, which is a nature reserve. At its edge, hikers can see the mountain pass near Borgholzhausen and the Luisenturm on the Johannisegge.

Information about Ravensberg Castle:

Ravensberg Castle is the landmark of the town of Borgholzhausen. It gives its name to the Ravensberg region and is considered one of the most important sights in today's district of Gütersloh. It was built around 1100 as the ancestral seat of the counts of Ravensberg-Calvelage, was the heart of the independent county of Ravensberg until they died out in 1346 and was still used as the administrative seat of the Ravensberg district in the 18th century. The mighty Romanesque keep, pointed towards the attack side, with its unique masonry platform, remains of the surrounding walls and the deepest medieval well, 104 meters deep, which has been preserved in its original state and still stands there today, completely untouched, as it was built almost 1000 years ago, together with its traditional pumping technology. The forester's lodge built by the Prussian architect Karl-Friedrich Schinkel, which was refurbished as a castle restaurant a few years ago, offers refreshments. The Ravensberg Castle Foundation, which is responsible for the historical site, offers numerous events throughout the year. The informative and entertaining program ranges from a medieval market to concerts, lectures and excursions. The educational programs on nature and history in the "Ravensberg Classroom" are taken up with great enthusiasm by thousands of schoolchildren every year. Guided tours are available on Sundays and public holidays from spring to fall and for groups by prior arrangement all year round.