The best city hikes and walks around NSG Brachter Wald und Heidemoore

A particularly beautiful section of forest on the Schwalm in spring. Thousands of wood anemones bloom there. (depending on the weather, approx. mid-March - early April)

Brüggen Castle (Burg Brüggen) forms the historic heart of the German border town of Brüggen, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, near the Dutch border and in the heart of the Schwalm-Nette nature reserve. Together, the castle and the surrounding historic town center tell the story of a settlement that developed from the Middle Ages onward into an important regional trading and defense center. Today, they form a well-preserved historical complex where culture, history, and tourism converge. The castle's origins date back to the 13th century. Around 1289, Count Reinoud I of Guelders commissioned the construction of a moated castle at this strategic location to control the trade route along the Schwalm River and protect the border region. Due to its location on important trade routes between the Rhineland and the Netherlands, Brüggen quickly gained economic and military significance. The castle was built as a fortified castle with thick walls, moats, and towers, making it both a defensive structure and an administrative center. In the centuries that followed, a settlement grew around the castle, developing into a small town. Craftsmen, traders, and travelers settled within the protection of the city walls. The current historic center still largely follows the medieval street pattern, with narrow streets, squares, and old houses huddled together. Although parts of the original fortifications have disappeared, remnants of ramparts and structures are still visible in the cityscape. The castle itself was modified and expanded several times. In the late Middle Ages and early modern period, it gradually lost its military function and took on more administrative and economic roles. After periods of decline, the complex was restored and given a new purpose. Today, Burg Brüggen houses, among other things, the Museum of Mensch und Jagd (Men and Hunting), where visitors can gain insight into the history of hunting, nature, and human life in the region. The castle also houses the tourist information office for the Maas-Schwalm-Nette Nature Park, making it an important starting point for visitors.

The area around the Crosier Monastery is literally in the center of Brüggen. The monastery itself was founded in 1479 and served various functions over the centuries, from a religious community to later uses as an orphanage, a Latin school, a post office, and a rectory. Today, the building houses Brüggen's town hall, a testament to its importance to the local community and the townscape. The nearby Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, right next to the monastery, together with the historic buildings surrounding the square, form a cultural ensemble that emphasizes the town's medieval atmosphere. The walk through Brüggen's historic center, a route of approximately 2.5 km, often starts at Brüggen Castle and continues to the areas around the Crosier Monastery and the square, then through the town's old streets. This route takes you through Brüggen's past, with its medieval castle history, monastery buildings, and heritage structures, and lets you experience the tranquil little squares and alleyways typical of a German border town.

Along the path stands a tree with an artfully carved face. This surprising artwork invites walkers to pause and adds a playful element to the walk along the Swalm.

The Schwalmgeist watches over his river ☝️

The rather unhappy face gradually fades as another beautiful bend in the Swalm River unfolds. A harbinger of the beautiful wood carvings further on (if you're coming from Swalmen).

A beautiful picnic spot on the Swalm River as you approach from Swalmen. Thanks to the narrow De Beet nature reserve, you'll barely notice you're still surrounded by built-up areas.

A beautiful place here