Hikes in Borchen

The shortened, approximately 11-kilometer "Southern Circuit" of the Old Pilgrim's Route runs from the Kapellenhof and the Klus Chapel near Borchen-Etteln through the Nonnenbusch forest area. Passing Schloss Hamborn, the hiking trail leads through the Despental to the "Teufelstein" and from there it goes back to the starting point.

The northern round of the Old Pilgrim's Way is a little over 11 kilometers long and runs from Haxtergrund near Paderborn through the Ellerbachtal to Hamborn Castle. From there, it leads to the Hillige Seele Chapel near Dörenhagen. Past the Annabild, the path goes through the Finkenpfuhl up to Stapelsberg. From Schnepfengrund, it goes through the Haxterholz down to the starting point.

Varied pilgrimage route with beautiful sections in the protected forest, field paths with great views, and a nice view from the Devil's Stone. (circular route)

The Paderborn Plateau, Westphalia’s largest karst landscape, is composed underground of limestones from the Upper Cretaceous Formation. This enables it to juggle bodies of water at will: swallowing it up, letting it flow through its interior, and spitting it out again elsewhere. This creates a landscape that is very delicate on a small scale and is enclosed on a larger scale by the Teuto, Eggegebirge, Sauerland, and Almetal regions. Pilgrims, merchants, and church dignitaries once walked here. Today, those seeking relaxation, the curious, and adventure seekers hike here. ▶ In the secluded Haxtergrund, we find a wooden bridge near the forest school. It leads across a meadow to the opposite edge of the forest. Thanks to the trail symbol—resembling a naive painting—featuring a meadow, path, house, tree, and blue sky—we always know which way to go. The picturesque opening stretch follows the winding course of the mostly dry Ellerbach stream through lush green meadows. After passing a shelter at the intersection with a paved road, turn left toward the “Stern.” The five-way intersection features a statue of the Virgin Mary 02 from the late 19th century. Turn right (bike sign: Hamborn Castle, 1.8 km). The road follows the valley of the Ellerbach stream, which you cross via a small bridge. Turn right uphill before the first house in the settlement. At the upcoming fork, there’s an option on the left for a shorter northern variant of the pilgrimage route. We’ll generally follow the main route, continuing straight ahead to Café Alte Schule, which, as the name suggests, is the educational component of the Schloss Hamborn 03 settlement concept. The Rudolf Steiner Werkgemeinschaft operates an integrated program here combining education, care, crafts, and services (www.schloss-hamborn.de). The castle itself was faithfully reconstructed in the Renaissance style. Just behind it on the left, next to an electrical box, a staircase leads down. It joins a descending path, which in turn leads to a road. On the county road from Borchen, turn left briefly and then immediately right. Behind a belt of forest, we turn left into the Despental valley. Ascending between forest and field, we reach another shortcut option (the southern loop); ignore that as well and turn right. At the edge of the forest, the path becomes steeper. To the right, the Paderborn Plateau lives up to its name. Behind it lies the Eggegebirge ridge. The path to the west crosses a clearing between power poles and leads to a small paved road. Turn left toward the Hunnewinkel hiking parking lot. Turn left into the forest toward a cross-trail. To the right (Stiegweg), it’s worth taking a detour to the Teufelsstein 04, a vantage point overlooking the Altenau Valley and stretching far into the Sauerland. Return along the familiar stretch and continue straight ahead. The forest road winds through two side valleys and descends gently into the valley. Another cross-path, another detour to the right. After 350 m, we come to the charming white St. Lucia Chapel 05, built in 1677—the Baroque era—as a token of gratitude for recovery by Ferdinand, Prince-Bishop of Paderborn. And the Kapellenberg farm café. After about 300 m back along the path, take a right at a fork. The Bilkental valley that follows is a particularly beautiful stretch of nature. We hike through it on a gentle ascent. Before the paved road joins the trail, turn sharply left into the forest and onto a wide path. Where the shorter route joins from the left, turn right (Klingeweg). We continue our walk through a mixed beech and oak forest and come to the FriedWald Nonnenbusch 06, a burial ground where the deceased are laid to rest near trees. Information boards explain the concept of this nature-oriented resting place. Turn left at the parking lot. Emerging from the forest, it’s nice to see what still lies ahead. Head straight toward the county road and Karlsplatz. Turn right toward the “Zur Hilligen Seele” chapel 07, a centuries-old pilgrimage site dedicated to the Holy Cross. Continue to Karlsplatz and turn right. Walk along a chestnut-lined avenue, past the statue of Saint Anne, to a fork in the path. Turn left down into a valley and follow the paved cross-path up to the right. After a few hundred meters, turn left up a steep, fenced-off section and then left near the edge of the forest to a shelter. Continue straight ahead and soon turn slightly to the right toward the edge of the forest. In a hollow, cross an open area and turn sharply left. Turn right and then left along a section bordering the forest. Enriched by the experience, we descend into the Haxtergrund and cross over to the starting point.

Moderate

This tour is closely based on the signposted pilgrimage route. Where possible, I have replaced the asphalt sections with alternatives. From the first parking lot in the Haxtergrund, the route leads to Hamborn Castle, where there are the first opportunities to linger. Up to the halfway rest stop (Kappellenhof with a child-friendly beer garden offering small dishes, coffee/cake), there is a small viewing platform. The return route is as varied as the entire route. It goes over meadows and deciduous forests, and some short climbs require a bit of stamina. Otherwise, it is a genuinely enjoyable circular walk. The conclusion can be well spent in one of the two restaurants (reservations recommended).

Adventure on partly unpaved paths, walking sticks and surefootedness necessary

Beautiful circular hike from the Haxterberg to the chapel "zur Hilligen Seele"

Beautiful circular tour with dining option and viewpoint

First stage on the former route of the Almetalbahn from Paderborn to Büren (Brilon). Stage goal: Borchen The railway route has been decommissioned, but is still largely preserved and passes through the scenic valley of the Alme.