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Our “in-house loop”: the Breyeller Lake circuit
When we talk about our “in-house loop,” we almost always mean the Breyeller Lake circuit. It starts practically at the hotel car park, so you don’t have to drive anywhere or think for long. Step out the door, walk around the back of the hotel, and after just a few minutes you already feel removed from everyday life.
The path first leads through a stretch of woodland, then the view opens up onto the lake. In some places you can still faintly hear the motorway; in others it’s just water, wind and a few birds. It’s a good hour’s walk without being strenuous — no steep climbs, no scrambling, just a calm circular route that almost anyone can manage: business travellers after a long day, fitters still wearing their safety boots, guests with a dog, or couples who simply want to stretch their legs.
What’s great about this loop is that it hardly needs explaining. We’ll point you roughly in the right direction at reception, and the signage — and your instinct — do the rest. When you return to the hotel after an hour, you’ll usually have rosy cheeks, calmer thoughts and an appetite for dinner.
When time is tight: a mini loop from the hotel
There are days when a full lake circuit is simply too much. A long journey, a full conference schedule, a late appointment — but a few steps in fresh air would still do you good. In those moments, we don’t send you off on a big tour; we recommend a shortened version of the in-house loop.
It goes roughly like this: start as usual at the hotel, walk through the first woodland section, enjoy the change from road to greenery — and after about fifteen minutes, simply turn around. Same way back, no risk of getting lost, no need to watch the clock. You’ll be out for maybe 20 to 30 minutes in total, but the effect is often surprising: shoulders drop a little, the mind clears — and when you’re back inside, it no longer feels like you’ve spent the whole day sitting.
Many guests do this short loop in the morning before breakfast or in the evening when there’s supposedly “no time at all.” If you’re travelling with a dog, you’ll be especially grateful for it.
A bit more water: a walk at De Witt Lake
If you’re happy to drive a short distance and feel like a proper “lake loop,” we recommend De Witt Lake. It’s only a few minutes away by car and offers exactly what you imagine for a Lower Rhine lakeside walk: water, reeds, a few boats, lots of birds and easy paths along the shore.
You can walk once around the lake in about an hour. It’s not a sporty hike, but a calm circular route with small changes of view — sometimes closer to the water, sometimes through trees, sometimes a bench with a lovely outlook. Ideal for half a day: drive there, do the loop, maybe grab a drink or an ice cream somewhere, and then head back to Zum Schänzchen.
Many guests go there on one of their days once they realise, “We know the little loop behind the hotel — now we’d like to see a bit more.”
For those who want to “really get out”: the Krickenbeck Lakes
When someone asks at reception, “What’s the classic day-trip spot around here?”, the Krickenbeck Lakes usually come up. The landscape there feels a bit more expansive, the routes are longer, and you get more of a sense of being properly “out and about” rather than just taking a short stroll.
If you go for a walk there, it’s best to plan a bit more time. It’s not something you do on the fly, but more of a half-day: drive there, choose a route, set off, stop to look around, maybe take a photo, and perhaps take a break somewhere. Many guests combine it with dinner at our place — lakes first, then Zum Schänzchen.
Which loop suits you?
In the end, the right route depends on how you’re feeling:
If you simply need to get outside without planning much, our Breyeller Lake circuit right by the hotel is almost always the right choice. If you only have ten or fifteen minutes, the big loop simply becomes a small one: same path, just turn back earlier. If you have a bit more time and feel like a “proper lake,” head to De Witt Lake. And if you’re looking for a longer nature day on the Lower Rhine, you’ll eventually end up at the Krickenbeck Lakes.
Let’s talk — we’ll show you on the map
This text is mainly meant to give you a sense of what’s possible. We prefer to find the right loop in a quick personal chat. Just tell us how much time you have, whether children or a dog are coming along, and whether you’re more in the mood for water, woodland or both.
Then we’ll pull out a map, quickly mark something for you — and the rest happens outside, step by step.
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