Premium route P11 Niester Riesen

The namesake is the natural monument Niester Riesen, a group of special trees that you can marvel at right at the beginning. Varied forest and open fields with magnificent views across to Lower Saxony alternate along the route. Nearby and partly on the same route runs the Sensenstein Archaeology Eco-trail, which points to interesting remains from the past of this region. Several kilometers lead the hiker through the former landscape park of the Windhausen estate, where Baron von Schlieffen had a mausoleum and other follies built. The most famous building is probably the monkey monument.

Refreshments: Königs-Alm, Tannenhütte 1, 34329 Nieste, 05605 9290628, www.koenigsalm.de

Overnight stay directly on the route : Youth castle and sports education center “Sensenstein”, Sensenstein, 34329 Nieste, Tel.: 05605 9449-0, www.sensenstein.de

Overnight stay nearby: Municipality of Nieste www.nieste.de

Further overnight accommodation options: www.naturparkfrauholle.land

Please observe the current notices at www.naturparkfrauholle.land/

All year round, best time April to October

Information on accommodation options, excursion tips, guided hikes, and news from the Geo-Nature Park Frau-Holle-Land: www.naturparkfrauholle.land, Tel. 05657 644990 or 0561 1003-1382.

Here you can book an experienced nature park guide who will accompany you on your route.

Stay among the Niester Riesen! Here in the middle of the deciduous forest stand, among others, giant sequoia, Canadian hemlock, coastal fir, and coastal Douglas fir. According to legend, the trees were giants enchanted by a forest spirit when they attacked Sensenstein Castle of the Landgrave of Hesse on behalf of Otto the Quade in the 14th century. In reality, however, the trees are not quite that old; they were probably planted at the end of the 18th century.

Take a journey through time in the former landscape park of the Windhausen estate with its follies.