travel4dogs - Lage-Hörste bis Holzhausen Externsteine

Our stage begins at the Hotel Hörster Krug. From here walk approx. 350 m up Teutoburger Wald Straße towards Haus des Gastes. Cross the road and follow Freibadstraße until you reach Hermannsweg. Keep left and follow the "H" sign. Below the Hörster Berg you come to the Rethlager springs,
which have very cold water all year round. These typical karst springs emerge on the northern slope of the Teutoburg Forest on the edge of the Dörenschlucht gorge. The springs are located in a spring gorge up to 20 m deep. Like all karst springs, the
Rethlager springs have a flow rate that fluctuates greatly depending on the rainfall. Down the valley, the water flows into the Werre. The
next interesting point along the route is the Donoper pond. The pond and the surrounding area were placed under
protection together with the Hiddeser Bent in 1950. Now the strenuous part of the hike begins: from the Heidental to the Hermannsdenkmal you have a challenging climb ahead of you. The view from the
Hermannsdenkmal monument is your reward. The most famous excursion destination in the Teutoburg Forest is located on the 356-metre-high Grotenburg in Hiddesen, a south-western district of Detmold. The figure towers far above the landscape. It was built to commemorate
the "Battle of the Teutoburg Forest", with which Hermann the Cheruscan prevented the Romans from advancing any further. The next section leads through charming
beech forests via the Hangstein (also a cafe restaurant) to Berlebeck. From here, it is worth making a detour to the Heiligenkirchen bird park and the Berlebeck eagle observatory. On the ridge paths, you can even see the Velmerstot in good weather. From
Berlebeck, the route takes you over the Stemberg to your stage destination, the Landhotel Haus Weber.
The next day, you have the opportunity to visit the sublime Externsteine, the most important natural and cultural monument in the Teutoburg Forest.
Myths and legends surround the five vertically towering stones. Those with a head for heights can climb the rocks and are rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view.