Explore the 70 million year old Teutoburg Forest

With its many famous health spas, therapy locations, numerous cycling, and hiking trails, the Teutoburg Forest can be found in a charming city called Detmold. This amazing forest is a must-visit place in Germany! Besides, it is also very close to Paderborn and Bielefeld! You might have heard the name of the Teutoburg Forest from the homonymous epic "Battle of the Teutoburg Forest." This war indeed took place in the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE, and is known to be one of the rarest things in history! Since it was a truly decisive battle, the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest is known as "a turning point in world history." In here, you can check out many spas and ride on the scenic paths through the mountains. You can also check out 70 million-year-old stones and admire its incredible monument. So, if you want to explore the Teutoburg Forest, here is your guide.

Hermannsdenkmal

The first stop is the landmark of the region, the Hermannsdenkmal, aka Hermann Monument, which stands 386 meters above Detmold with grace. It is probably the most famous excursion destination in Detmold, too! Hermannsdenkmal was built in memory of the "Battle in the Teutoburg Forest" in 9 AD. In this battle, the Roman army was defeated under the leadership of the Cheruscan prince Arminius, who was later called "Hermann the Cheruscan." Thus, the foundation stone for today's borders in Europe was laid. Since its inauguration in 1875, the Hermann Monument has become one of the most important destinations in northern Germany. From the monument platform, there is a beautiful panoramic view over Detmold and the Teutoburg Forest. The entry costs 4 Euros, but if you get a 6 euro ticket, you can also check out the Externsteine without paying any extra cost.

Externsteine

Next stop is the Stonehenge of Germany, aka Externsteine. Seventy million years ago, the flat-lying lower Cretaceous Sandstone was pressed vertically in the course of the mountain formation, creating that way the famous Externsteine! This distinctive sandstone rock formation is located in the Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg in the Lippe district of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The formation consists of several tall, narrow columns of rock, which rise abruptly from the surrounding wooded hills. The Externsteine identifies as a sacred site of the pagan Saxons, and it is the location of the Irminsul idol, which was later destroyed by Charlemagne. The stones were used as the site of a hermitage in the Middle Ages. Since then, the Externsteine has been the center of cultural-historical and natural development. 

Externsteine

Infozentrum Externsteine Externsteine Straße 35, 32805 Horn-Bad Meinberg, Almanya

Teutoburg Forest

Turnerstraße 5-9, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany

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