The lake shore to Westrup Heath

Hiking trails & Routes

Ruhr Region

Kreis Recklinghausen

Haltern am See

The lake shore to Westrup Heath

Moderate

4.7

(589)

1,835

hikers

The lake shore to Westrup Heath

02:00

7.89km

20m

Hiking

Heathlands, deciduous forests, and water characterize this loop through the Westruper Heide and along the Halterner Stausee. On sandy paths, you hike through the expansive heath landscape with its juniper bushes and scattered groups of trees. From the paths, you repeatedly look out over the Westruper Heide.

Afterwards, the route leads you through the deciduous forests along the Halterner Stausee. Especially in autumn, the colorful canopy forms a beautiful contrast to the open heath landscape. Once you reach the shore, you can look out over the water of the reservoir or take a break in one of the cafés before heading back to the starting point.

There are no major climbs, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the heath and the lake in peace.

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Hohe Mark - Westmünsterland

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.57 km

Westruper Heath (North)

Highlight • Natural

The approximately 90-hectare Westruper Heide near Haltern am See is a popular destination for hikers and – especially during the blooming season in August and September – for photographers. It is the largest contiguous heathland area in the vicinity of the Ruhr area and in Münsterland. Over 100,000 visitors come here annually to hike in peace or simply to switch off. Despite the surrounding roads (B 58 to the north and L 652 to the east), it is impressively quiet here.

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Tip by

4.17 km

Heath Edge Trail in Naturpark Hohe Mark - Westmünsterland

Highlight • Trail

Very beautiful path with lots of beautiful nature. Partly forest, partly heath and also nice spots to linger and enjoy. Only in the background you can hear the noise of the nearby road, but it doesn't really bother.

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Tip by

6.48 km

Halterner Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

A nice round around the lake with many opportunities for a break.

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Tip by

7.89 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.65 km

2.84 km

115 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.61 km

2.84 km

218 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 9 October

15°C

8°C

72 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 28, 2021,Durch die Westruper Heide zum Haltener Stausee

After my better half didn’t like cycling today, we went back to Westruper Heide and did a little lap in wonderful autumn weather through colorful forests, along the lake and back through the heath.

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May 21, 2023,Westruper Heide und Haltener See und dann noch JUPP.

I've wanted to go there for a long time. Even without the heather in bloom, the Westruper Heide is a beautiful area. Then a little bit along the lake and there was a little refreshment at Jupp 🥤. Nice weather, nice area, nice walk, happy on sunday. 😁😎

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August 23, 2025,Westruper Heide – Westruper Heide Runde von Haltern-Mitte

A very beautiful route, difficult in some places with an outdoor walker. But it was worth it 😊

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September 1, 2025,Hohe Mark:💜💜💜Westruper Heide 💜💜💜

Carmen had a great idea today, and the weather was unexpectedly beautiful! This really shows off the 💜 of the flowers.

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October 16, 2022,Westruper Heide – Westruper Heide Runde von Flaesheim

We ran the loop for the first time. Had our two small dogs with us and are totally thrilled. Very varied, completely different landscapes and above all hardly any garbage and almost no cyclists on this tour. Conclusion: Absolutely recommendable!

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October 29, 2022,Flaesheim

Nice walk with lots of variety. Also doable with a walking cart.

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April 8, 2022,Westruper Heide - Haltener Stausee Runde

WESTRUPER HEATH
Although the Westruper Heide was only created through intensive use, i.e. it is not an original natural area, the heath landscape is today one of the small treasures of the Münsterland. While large areas of the region were still covered with heathland at the beginning of the 19th century, the Westruper Heide is a remnant of that time …

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August 12, 2025,Westruper Heide Runde von Haltern Seehof -Jupp unner de Boecken

Another trip to the Westrup Heath this year... We caught the best time, everything is blooming beautifully, and there are purple carpets of heather to marvel at. A wonderful tour... shortened due to the heat. The reward was Jupp's - a visit there is a must! 🌸😍🤩🌲🌳

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September 4, 2026

Heathlands, deciduous forests, and water characterize this loop through the Westruper Heide and along the Halterner Stausee. On sandy paths, you hike through the expansive heath landscape with its juniper bushes and scattered groups of trees. From the paths, you repeatedly look out over the Westruper

Showing Translation