The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Kreis Gütersloh

There are many benches around the lake, it's nice to linger here for a while.

You can see how much water flows from the Ems into the lake district.

Anyone who wants even more beautiful views, perhaps from a bench, can easily cycle around the lake.

🌿 Nature Paradise & Bird Eldorado: Steinhorst Basin The Steinhorst Basin is the largest artificially created biotope in North Rhine-Westphalia and a must-see for anyone exploring the Ems region. Whether on foot or by bike, the expansive waterscape offers fascinating insights into nature in every season.

Perfect backdrop for a photo - great view of the water.

Lake Mastholter, erroneously called "Benteler See" after its owner, Willi Benteler, is not a natural body of water. An artificial body of water was created on an approximately 25-hectare site for the commercial extraction of sand, the first in the Gütersloh district. The Mastholter See recreation area is ideal for surfing, sailing, and stand-up paddling. A 2.7-km circular hiking trail offers walks, cycling, jogging, and Nordic walking. Benches invite you to take a break overlooking the water.

A building ruin

Perfect, Schäfer! Here is the updated and detailed ride report with the exact details: 🚴‍♂️ Ride report: Westphalia by e-bike – round trip from Lippstadt Route: Lippstadt-Lipperbruch – Mastholter See – Rietberg – Ems Cycle Path – Wiedenbrück – Langenberg – Lippstadt Total distance: 51.5 km | Start: 10:00 a.m. | Ride time: approx. 4–5 hours (including breaks) Bike type: E-bike Ride level: Easy to intermediate – ideal for leisurely cyclists Start in Lipperbruch – relaxed and full of anticipation We start our e-bike tour in Lippstadt-Lipperbruch promptly at 10:00 a.m. The weather is perfect: mild temperatures, a light breeze, and a pleasant blue sky. After just a few meters on the well-maintained bike path, we notice how pleasantly the electric motor supports our ride – especially when starting off or on slight inclines. We roll through quiet streets and open fields – the perfect start to an active yet relaxing day. Mastholter Lake – Idyllic stopover after 8 km After about 8 kilometers, we reach Mastholter Lake. Surrounded by forests and meadows, it lies peacefully – an ideal place for a first break. We leave the e-bikes for a moment, sit on the shore, and enjoy the view over the shimmering water. Ducks quack quietly at the edge, a few joggers do their laps. The lake is not only a scenic highlight, but also a small haven of peace before the next section of the route. Rietberg – History meets garden beauty Refreshed, we continue our ride towards Rietberg. The route leads through open fields, past farms and small woods. Thanks to the motor assistance, the e-bike can be guided almost silently and effortlessly along the paths. Arriving in Rietberg, we immerse ourselves in a charming little town steeped in history. The well-kept old town with its half-timbered houses, the garden show park, and the small bridges over the Ems River invite you to linger. We take a short walk through the park – here, nature and art come together in an impressive way. Along the Ems Cycle Path – Pure Nature From Rietberg, we continue along the Ems Cycle Path. This section is particularly scenic: the young Ems meanders through a green floodplain landscape, flanked by fields, hedges, and small forests. The path is pleasant to ride – whether on a hard-packed gravel or paved – and repeatedly offers magnificent views of the river landscape. We cycle side by side, chatting, enjoying the gentle breeze and the tranquility of nature. Wiedenbrück – Half-Timbered Houses and Flair After about 35 kilometers, we reach Wiedenbrück. The picturesque old town with its historic half-timbered houses is perfect for a coffee break. We treat ourselves to a cappuccino and a piece of cake on the market square – with a view of the town hall facade and the hustle and bustle around us. The town is not only an architectural delight, but also a beautiful cultural contrast to the rural tranquility of the previous stages. Return trip via Langenberg and Wendler to Lippstadt Refreshed, we set off on the final stage. Via Langenberg and Wendler, the return journey takes us through open fields and small settlements. Traffic is light, the paths are easily navigable. The sun is now lower in the sky, and the landscape glows in the warm afternoon light. We enjoy the last few kilometers to the fullest – the e-bike makes the ride pleasantly easy, even after more than 50 kilometers. Conclusion – By e-bike through nature and history Our 51.5-kilometer round trip was a complete success – varied, scenically attractive, and culturally enriching. ✅ E-bike comfort: Relaxed riding on all sections of the route ✅ Landscape diversity: Lakes, river meadows, fields, and historic towns ✅ Rest stops: Mastholter See, Rietberg, Wiedenbrück – every stop is an experience ✅ Route quality: Well-developed cycle paths, hardly any inclines, little traffic We return to Lippstadt satisfied and relaxed – with many beautiful impressions and the desire to cycle again soon. If you'd like, I can create a PDF with a map, elevation profile, and recommended rest stops, or generate a GPX file for your navigation system. Just let me know!