Camping in Germany: Osnabrücker Land
A fairytale landscape with winding rivers, ancient forests and peat bogs. You can hardly believe that dinosaurs once roamed here. And what else? Battles, saltwater springs, dolmens and… a surprisingly nice campsite. Welcome to the Osnabrücker Land!
They lived here 150 million years ago: dinosaurs. Near the town of Bad Essen you can still find their enormous footprints and during guided tours the guide will tell you all about these enormous beasts. You can take great selfies with the two lifelike replica dinosaurs that have been reconstructed here.
Cycling through Osnabrücker Land
But there is much more to discover here in the Osnabrücker Land. There are cycle paths with a total length of 2,800 kilometers. Themed routes, such as those along 11 monumental mills, some of which are still fully operational. There you can buy freshly baked mill bread and at other mills you can see how trees are sawn into planks. Other nice routes for cycling are those along the Hase river, or all the way to Paderborn.
Hiking trails near Melle
And for those who love hiking: visit Melle. In this city you can visit five moated castles and one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the region starts at the lookout tower on the Beutlingberg, over the Wiehengebergte and straight through the Teutoburgerwald. Or you can walk the DiVa route, an abbreviation for a walk through the land of the Dinosaurs and the Varus battle, where leader Hermannus drove the Romans out of the area – his 53-meter-high statue is not to be missed in Detmold.
Saltwater springs and spas
Wellness enthusiasts will also get their money's worth in the Osnabrücker Land. You can visit the saltwater springs in Bad Essen, Bad Laer or Bad Iburg, one of the most famous spas in Germany. In Bad Rothenfelde you can also 'take a cure': the town is an officially recognized medicinal spa with carbonated salt water, salt caves and the 'Gradierwerke': a meter-high wall where salt is extracted by means of straw.
70 dolmens
There are also 70 dolmens in this region – some are older than the pyramids in Egypt. The dolmens have names like Glaner Braut, Kleinenkneter Steine and Heidenopfertisch – where you don't need much imagination to realize that these dolmens were not only used as graves, but also to sacrifice heathens to the gods…
Tips in Osnabrücker Land
Camping tip
Campotel, in Bad Rothenfelde: run by the cheerful Dutch campsite owner Johan Bos. More information:www.campotel.de
Must do
With the night watchman through the dark streets of Osnabrück, the same round that was made for 250 years, until 1913. More information: www.osnabrueck-stadtfuehrungen.de
With the kids
Kletterwald Ibbenbüren, with 10 routes between the treetops at a height of 14 meters… If you dare! More information: www.kletterwald-ibbenbueren.de
Must taste
From August 21 to 25, the Food Festival 'Osnabrück isst gut' will be held on the historic Marktplatz in Osnabrück. Including a spectacular light show on the Marienkirche.
Large selection of campers and caravans
Looking for a camper or caravan to explore Osnabrücker Land? Our website offers a large and up-to-date selection of campers and caravans. View the offer here
