Wellness to goAutumn stories from the Teutoburg Forest

Healing moors, pure air, revitalising mineral and medicinal waters. The Teutoburg Forest goes all out for its visitors. And they certainly wouldn't have expected a fresh sea breeze here either. It is no coincidence that this region is also known as "Germany's healing garden". Wellness is a top priority here. And it's also possible to be wonderfully active in the open air.
The two friends, who are spending a relaxing weekend here, have long planned a visit to the mystical Externsteine natural monument - an absolute highlight and popular photo motif, especially at this time of year. Especially when there is early morning mist over the small lake.

Everyone out into the Teutoburg Forest!

The two are best friends. You can see that straight away. How familiar they are with each other. How they enjoy the morning peace and quiet in the forest together and savour the first rays of sunshine. They don't let anything or anyone disturb their time out. No mobile phones. No appointments. No stress. A wellness holiday for the senses. And for the soul. Welcome to the Teutoburg Forest!

I am often called "Germany's healing garden". And admittedly, that makes me a little proud. Because I mean well with people. And have been for a long, long time. For centuries, they have appreciated the beneficial effects of the refreshing brine and vitalising moors that lie dormant in me. There are seven health resorts and two Kneipp health resorts here alone. My other name is the "Teutoburg Forest" holiday region. And I can still visualise how the high ladies and gentlemen once strolled through Bad Driburg or Bad Oeynhausen in their fine robes and against the backdrop of the sophisticated spa architecture in the Gräflicher Park ...

My current visitors do things differently. Much more modern. They are well prepared, have hiking boots on and rucksacks with them and are soaking up a little sun before winter arrives. And hot tea. Because it's still a bit chilly in the early morning and the soft forest floor is still damp as they start their hike up the Velmerstot. There are two, by the way. The Prussian Velmerstot. And the Lippe one, the little brother, so to speak, of the highest elevation here in my neighbourhood. After all, it is 468 metres above sea level and has a beautiful heath landscape as well as forest. But that's just a side note. In any case, the sky is bright blue and only a few clouds pass by as the girls climb the Eggeturm to enjoy the fascinating view over the red-brown and yellow-coloured forest landscapes of Egge, yours truly and the Wiehengebirge.

Tomorrow they simply want to walk barefoot through the damp leaves and grass, where small drops of water still glisten in the sun. Just as Sebastian Kneipp recommends. We know the naturopath from Bavaria, who invented more than just treading water to strengthen the immune system, all too well here. In Bad Wünnenberg, for example, they have even named a hiking trail after him. And there is also a Kneipp island in the spa gardens of Bad Salzuflen with water treading and arm bathing pools as well as an adventure trail.

The two, who enjoy a break from everyday life together and prefer to spend time in the great outdoors, have another goal first. Once in Bad Salzuflen, they stop by the impressive graduation tower after visiting the rose garden. The air here tastes a little salty. "A bit like the sea," I hear them whisper. That's right. After all, up to 600,000 litres of brine trickle down the blackthorn walls here every day and atomise into the finest mist. Take a deep breath! You can try it too. Okay, I admit, you have to like the somewhat strange flavour. But it's healthy!

It's a successful end to the day. The two of them have had enough fresh wind blowing around their noses for today. In the evening, it's time to get out of their hiking gear, into their jogging bottoms and review the great moments together in the fresh air... I can already tell that the friends have a lot to talk about ... And they've decided to set off early again tomorrow. Because when the early morning mist still lies over the small lake in the forest near Horn-Bad Meinberg, the atmosphere at the Externsteine is particularly impressive. Then this rugged, centuries-old rock formation, which is shrouded in myths and legends, seems almost mystical. So girls, don't wait any longer!