Lohne (Oldenburg) combines industrial history with forest trails, art and a programme of performances. If you want to include both culture and outdoor activities in the same trip, there are a variety of options: from the Industrial Museum and the open-air theatre to Hopener Forest, the observation tower and trails along the town centre.
Industrial History and Open-Air Theatre
The Lohne Industrial Museum presents the town’s industrial history. It regularly organises guided tours, special exhibitions and hands-on activities for parents and children. If a particular exhibition is the reason for your visit, check the current exhibition details with the museum.
Each year, the Lohne Open-Air Theatre’s amateur theatre group stages two plays: one for children and one for adults. Open-air theatre has been a tradition in the town since the 1930s. For the current season, it’s worth checking the latest performance dates. The museum and theatre offer different cultural experiences: exhibitions and guided tours at the former, open-air theatre at the latter.
Church, Art and Exhibitions
The history of St. Gertrud dates back to the Middle Ages; the present-day church was built in the late 19th century. The Luzie Uptmoor Gallery focuses on the work of various artists with close ties to Lohne. Exhibitions are held four times a year in the historic watermill in Lohne Town Park. These places offer different points of interest: St. Gertrud’s long history, art connected with Lohne, and regular exhibitions in the watermill.
Forest Trails and Views
The Hopener Forest Trail is an approximately 1.4-kilometre play and educational trail for children, located beyond the railway line. Numerous walking and hiking trails also run through Hopener Forest. Other trails in Lohne pass through the forest with its moated castle, through the town park and municipal forest, along the town centre, and past churches, GrĂĽnderzeit villas and other sights. The routes described therefore combine forest and urban areas.
There are 60 kilometres in total available for cycling and hiking within the municipal area of Lohne. This figure refers to the municipal area; the Hopener Forest Trail, by contrast, has its own approximate length of 1.4 kilometres. Routes may change, so check the latest route information before setting out.
The Lohne observation tower offers a viewpoint of its own: from the platform, you can see across forests, moors and fields. There are 82 steps to reach it. As opening hours may vary, check current access information before your visit.
A route in the northern Vechta district is signposted along the municipality of Visbek and the towns of Vechta and Lohne. Its marker shows a yellow scallop shell on a blue background.
Hiking Routes in Vechta District
At district level, Vechta has 31 hiking routes through floodplain and moorland landscapes, forests and hills, as well as to historic sights and natural monuments. The routes are marked according to the German Hiking Association’s quality criteria and have uniform signposting. This information relates to Vechta district and adds a regional perspective to the trails within Lohne’s municipal area.
Discover more destinations: Vechta, Holdorf, Steinfeld, Dinklage, Visbek, Bakum, Goldenstedt, Damme
Go to the main travel overview: Vechta.
