The Stever
Originating from the Baumberge mountains in Münsterland, the Stever meanders through meadows, pastures and fields into the northern Ruhr region.
The tributary of the Lippe is a popular excursion and recreation area and offers a wide range of leisure activities: pedal boating, hiking, cycling or simply relaxing on the Stever beach with a meal or a refreshment and enjoying the natural idyll.
The Stever is 54 kilometers long in total, has its source in the farming community of Stevern and is "fed" by the tributaries Dummersbach, Funne and Mühlenbach.
From here, the Stever meanders through the Münsterland region, past the towns of Appelhülsen, Senden, Lüdinghausen, Olfen, Hullern and Haltern am See. The Stever then feeds the Hullern and Haltern reservoirs before flowing into the Lippe shortly after the dam wall.
Impressions
Small river - powerful effect!
In contrast to the Lippe, the Stever has been developed over long stretches, as it frequently caused flooding on its way through the Münsterland. The straightening of the river between 1965 and 1978 led to a sharp decline in water quality, but today it is once again in the good to satisfactory range. This is also of crucial importance for the northern Ruhr region, as drinking water is extracted from the Hullern and Haltern reservoirs.
The Stever, which is between 3 and 5 meters wide, is a popular local recreation area over long stretches. The Stever between the Hullern and Haltern reservoirs is particularly popular. Small vacation homes are lined up here, interspersed with wooded, natural sections. Anglers throng the banks, while you can watch the fish with the naked eye. Whether cycling or walking from Heimingshof to the Haltern reservoir, hiking around the Hullerner reservoir or pedal boat tours up to the Haltern reservoir - the Stever is a popular destination, especially at weekends.
Pedal boats and rowing boats can be hired at Heimingshof and at the mouth of the reservoir. The Stever is also very popular with canoeists. The Lakeside Inn restaurant with its beach bar invites you to linger and sunbathe. There used to be a lido here, where many older "Halterans" learned to swim. Today, however, swimming in the Stever is no longer permitted. The youth hostel and a campsite are located nearby.
(The text was kindly provided by Ruhr-Guide-Magazin für das Ruhrgebiet).
Insider tip
After the Stever emerged from the Haltern reservoir, a new place to learn and play was created on the banks of the Stever: the Blue Classroom. Here, families with children, teachers with their classes or youth groups can explore the inhabitants of the Stever live. Environmental educators are on hand to provide educational support on request.
