Westrup Heath

Although the Westruper Heide only came into being as a result of intensive use – and is therefore not a pristine natural area – the heathland is now regarded as one of the Münsterland’s little treasures. Whilst at the beginning of the 19th century large areas of the region were still covered in heathland, the Westruper Heide is now a remnant of that era. The heath, covering approximately 90 hectares, lies in the immediate vicinity of the Haltern reservoir. It can be reached by bike from Haltern am See in just a few minutes.

The Westruper Heide, which was designated a nature reserve in 1937, is visually divided into two areas. Towards the reservoir, the landscape is expansive and open. Broom heath and the rarer bell heather, as well as sandy nutrient-poor grasslands, dominate the landscape. The gently undulating terrain offers ever-changing views across the heathland. Further east, bizarre juniper bushes enchant the eye, lending the heath a truly fairy-tale appearance. This picturesque landscape provides an important refuge for numerous rare animal species.

Let yourself be inspired

A wonderful place for a walk
© Münsterland e.V./Vincent Croce
Far away from everyday life - the Westrup Heath
© Münsterland e.V./Long-Nong Huang
The Westrup Heath in Winter
© Münsterland e.V./Vincent Croce
Fog settles over the heath near Haltern am See
© Münsterland e.V./Vincent Croce
Sunset on the Westrup Heath
© Münsterland e.V./Long-Nong Huang
The Westrup Heath makes for dreamlike pictures
© Münsterland e.V./@andersart.ig

Hiking in the Westrup Heath

Numerous hiking trails lead through the Westrup Heath on sandy ground and invite you to take a walk. Four signposted themed trails, each 3 to 4 kilometres long, lead to the special features of the Westrup Heath. Several information stations along the paths as well as large information signs at the entrances provide interesting insights into the fauna and flora of the area, and the more than 30 benches invite visitors to take a break.

At the Seehof entrance, directly on the shore of the reservoir, are the starting and end points of a tactile path for visually impaired people. The approximately 2.9-kilometre-long route has a guidance system equipped on one side. Wheelchair-accessible paths with a total length of approximately 3 kilometres also start at the same location and at the north car park.

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Protect what is important to us

The Westrup Heath

The Westruper Heath is an important refuge for flora and fauna and is particularly sensitive to disturbance. Please stay on the marked paths. These will lead you to the most beautiful spots on the heath. Please keep your dogs on a lead. Although it may not seem so at first glance, the Westruper Heath is home to numerous animals. Disturbances caused by dogs running loose take up a lot of energy and, in the long run, drive the animals away from this last refuge. The Westruper Heath will reward you with many wonderful moments.

The best way to discover the beauty of the Westruper Heath is on a guided tour led by an expert.

Map | Westrup Heath

Service & Offers

  • Admission free / free of charge
  • Outdoor
  • barrier-free
  • Dogs allowed
  • Guided tours
  • Spring
  • Autumn
  • Summer
  • Winter

5 Tips for Westuper Heide

  • The heath is particularly beautiful at sunrise.
  • Rustic cosiness and the best atmosphere are offered by the nearby Jupp adventure beer garden.
  • You'll feel almost like you're in Canada at the Lakeside Inn with burgers and cocktails
  • Cobin your visit with a bike tour around the reservoir. The paths lead you not only through beautiful landscapes, but also into the charming town centre of Haltern am See.
  • If you fancy a really big bike tour, check out the Hohe Mark RadRoute.

Places of interest around the Westrup Heath

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Your questions about Westruper Heide

There are several car parks on the Westruper Heide. A free car park for hikers is located on Flaesheimer Damm. Further car parks are located on Hullerner Straße.

The Westruper Heide is one of the few areas in Münsterland where cycling is not permitted. However, it is definitely worth parking your bike and exploring the heathland on a hike.

Although it is very quiet in the Westruper Heide, there are several restaurants in the neighbourhood. These include the "Seehof" with its popular restaurant terrace, the "Jupp" adventure beer garden and the "Lakeside Inn".

Dogs may be taken into the Westruper Heide on a lead.

The Westruper Heide usually flowers from early August to early September.

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