Alfhausen combines a distinctive historic townscape with trails leading into the countryside. At St. John’s Church, medieval architectural history meets works of art from different periods; around the church, the Kirchhöfnerei tells the story of a closely built row of houses that gave rise to a fortified church. Outside the town, the options include gentle hills, forest and nearby Alfsee. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether local history, hiking and cycling trails, or the waterside landscape should shape your stay.
Church, Kirchhöfnerei and Heeker Klause
St. John’s Church dates back to the 13th century. Its furnishings include Gothic elements, among them the Bentheim baptismal font and the 1517 Madonna of the Rays. This brings a medieval church building together with a dated furnishing. The Kirchhöfnerei is a small, closely spaced row of houses around the church, which gave rise to a fortified church. Its defining feature is the arrangement of the houses around the sacred building. Heeker Klause is also one of Alfhausen’s sights. Built in 1818, it is still used for May devotions and the annual votive service. St. John’s Church and the chapel bring together different aspects of local history: architectural form and furnishings on the one hand, and the year it was built and its continued religious use on the other.
Hills, forest and trails around Alfhausen
The cultural landscape around Alfhausen is shaped by the Hase glacial valley and the hills of Heiligenberg. With its gentle hills and dense forests, Heiligenberg invites you to hike and relax. Numerous hiking and cycling trails lead from the town centre into the varied landscape. Another landmark, Hexenboll, offers expansive panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. This creates a clear distinction when planning your day: the trails are for getting around on foot or by bike, while Hexenboll is a place to take in the views. When planning time outdoors, you can choose between these options according to what you want to focus on, rather than treating them as the same experience.
Alfsee nearby
Near Alfhausen, in the Hase lowlands, lies the EU-designated Alfsee Special Protection Area for birds. It consists of two flood-retention basins, completely surrounded by dams. The permanent water surface provides a suitable habitat for numerous waterbird species throughout the year. This makes the waterside landscape different from the hills and forests of Heiligenberg: here the scene is shaped by the basins and waterbirds, while there it is the ridges and forest.
The TERRA.track Alfsee loops around the Alfhausen-Rieste reserve basin, offering views of the surrounding landscape and the main basin. The Alfsee Nature Conservation and Education Centre offers a different perspective, with its 400 m² interactive exhibition. It is aimed at tourists, local residents, school classes, groups and clubs. The nearby area thus offers two distinct ways to explore Alfsee: a circular trail with views of the waterside landscape, and an exhibition for a range of visitor groups.
Discover more destinations: Badbergen, FĂĽrstenau, Nortrup, QuakenbrĂĽck, GeorgsmarienhĂĽtte, Wallenhorst, Ankum, Bad Rothenfelde.
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