The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Stuckenberg

The Kurparksee (Spa Park Lake) forms the tranquil heart of the expansive spa park in Bad Salzuflen and is one of the most popular spots for walkers and spa guests. Created in the early 20th century along with the spa park itself, it continues to lend the park a relaxed atmosphere. Nestled among old trees, well-maintained paths, and in close proximity to the graduation towers, the lake reflects the quintessential combination that characterizes Bad Salzuflen: nature, recreation, and the tradition of the spa town. The Salze, the town's small river, flows through both the smaller and larger Kurparksee lakes, creating a vibrant, natural body of water right in the heart of the spa area. A stroll around the lake is worthwhile at any time of year: waterfowl, changing light, and the peaceful shoreline make the Kurparksee an ideal place for short breaks, photographs, or simply to breathe deeply. For many visitors, it is the most beautiful part of the spa park – a place where the special atmosphere of Bad Salzuflen can be experienced firsthand. https://www.teutoburgerwald.de/gesund/heilgarten/heilbaeder/bad-salzuflen

The graduation tower with its clock tower on Salinenstraße is one of Bad Salzuflen's most striking landmarks and forms the historic gateway to the spa gardens. At 55 meters long and approximately 8.5 meters high, it is the smallest of the three graduation towers, but its clock tower makes it visible from afar. This tower is an original relic of the old graduation tower, which was built for salt production in 1768/69 and put into operation in 1770 – a direct glimpse into the time when Salzuflen was still an important salt-producing town. Today, the graduation tower, with its promenade, sun deck, and brine Kneipp arm bath, invites visitors to linger and breathe deeply. The fine brine atomizes on the blackthorn walls, creating a natural inhalatorium that is particularly popular with walkers and spa guests. The facility underwent extensive renovation in 2013 and has since combined historical building fabric with modern spa architecture. The graduation tower with its clock is a prime example of Bad Salzuflen's transformation: from a salt production site to a recognized spa town – a piece of living urban history that can be seen, felt, and breathed. https://www.teutoburgerwald.de/gesund/heilgarten/heilbaeder/bad-salzuflen

The Kurparksee (spa park lake) in Bad Salzuflen is the centerpiece of the expansive spa park and one of the town's most beautiful spots. Nestled among ancient trees, well-maintained walking paths, and the impressive graduation towers that have made Bad Salzuflen famous as a traditional spa town, the lake was created as part of the spa park's development in the early 20th century and lends the entire area a tranquil, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. With its reflective surface, waterfowl, and surrounding flowerbeds and greenery, it invites visitors to enjoy relaxing strolls, short breaks, or simply linger on its shores.

The Stuckenpfad trail near Herford is a family-friendly circular hiking trail that leads through the Stuckenberg nature reserve in the east of the city. This approximately 74-hectare woodland area lies on the hills between Herford and Vlotho and is characterized by its diverse deciduous and mixed forests with ancient trees, deadwood areas, and a rich variety of wildlife. Among other species, rare bats such as the greater mouse-eared bat and Bechstein's bat live here, highlighting the ecological value of the area. The roughly eight-kilometer-long Stuckenpfad trail was developed in cooperation with schools and is particularly well-suited for families with children. Along the way, numerous information panels, small activities, and color-coded trail markers make the walk a playful nature experience. The route follows well-maintained forest paths and has only gentle inclines, making it easily accessible even for inexperienced hikers.

The fallow deer enclosure in Bad Salzuflen is a popular destination for families, nature lovers, and walkers. It is idyllically situated on the edge of the spa park in the Holzhausen district and offers visitors the opportunity to observe native wildlife up close. A herd of fallow deer lives in the spacious, naturally landscaped enclosure, where they feel particularly at home in the tranquil surroundings. The animals roam freely across the meadows and through the shady mixed forest that surrounds the enclosure. The fallow deer are especially impressive in autumn when the stags sport their magnificent antlers and the rutting season begins – at which time the characteristic bellowing of the stags can sometimes be heard echoing through the woods. Visitors will find comfortable walking paths and viewpoints around the enclosure, offering excellent vantage points for observing the deer. Children often delight in discovering the animals or watching them graze and rest. However, feeding the deer is not permitted in order to protect their health. The fallow deer enclosure is freely accessible and open year-round. It is part of the extensive network of hiking and walking trails in Bad Salzuflen and can be wonderfully combined with a visit to the nearby spa gardens or a trip to the brine graduation tower.

The Kurparksee lake blends harmoniously into the landscape of the spa park. The Salze River flows through the small and large Kurparksee lakes.

Very beautiful game in the enclosure

It's worth taking a short break here.