At 841 metres, Kahler Asten is one of the highest elevations in North Rhine-Westphalia and lies in the Hochsauerland District. Those exploring the district encounter a variety of natural landscapes: ancient beech and oak stands, upland heathland, slope spring fens, rock formations and natural streams. There are also trails that reveal the landscape through themed stops or opportunities for observing nature firsthand.
Forest, heathland, rocks and water
In the Moosfelde forest complex in the northwest of the Hochsauerland District, many oak and beech trees are more than a hundred years old. Hikers can follow the valleys of the GroĂźe and Kleine Aupke rivers and watch kingfishers, grey wagtails and dippers. The forest combines old-growth trees with a stream area where these bird species can be spotted.
The Niedersfeld upland heathland offers a different landscape: it is the Neuer Hagen nature reserve and Natura 2000 site near Niedersfeld, lies at an altitude of more than 800 metres and covers around 57 hectares of mountain heath. The Nasse Wiese and Rauhes Bruch slope spring fens lie within the Hunau–Langer Rücken–Heidberg nature reserve. They are more than 8,000 years old. Both areas offer a different focus for exploring nature than forests and streams.
The Bruchhauser Steine near Olsberg-Bruchhausen provide a rocky contrast. The formation consists of four large porphyry rocks and is designated as a nature reserve, Natura 2000 site and bird sanctuary. Southwest of Medebach, the Gelängebachtal and Gelängeberg nature reserves lie within the Medebach Bay bird sanctuary. Visitors can spot, among other species, great grey shrikes, red-backed shrikes, red kites and black storks.
The Orke Valley is a stream valley that remains largely undeveloped for many kilometres between Medelon and Elkeringhausen. The Orke has been restored to a more natural state by removing weirs and creating meanders. Protected fen and forest landscapes, rocky areas and a restored stream course thus offer a range of natural attractions.
Trails and wildlife watching
The Siebenbuchen nature reserve north of Meerhof, a district of Marsberg, has a forest discovery trail with interactive stations, bridges over wetlands and pools, and viewing platforms. In the Bergwiesen bei Altastenberg nature reserve, a purpose-built mountain meadow trail runs through the area and offers insights into the mountain meadow landscape. The protected area lies about four kilometres west of Winterberg. The two trails have different focuses: one highlights interactive stations and views of wetlands, while the other focuses on the mountain meadow landscape.
Wildlife watching also offers specific destinations. At the Bödefeld red deer enclosure, visitors can see red deer up close across an area of around ten hectares. The enclosure is right on the Hollenpfad trail and close to the Walkenmühle nature playground. The nature reserves near Medebach complement this experience with the opportunity to observe the bird species mentioned above in their protected habitat.
Cycling, culture and getting around
The SauerlandRadring connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt over a total of 84 kilometres. Most of the route follows former railway lines. Its length and route give cyclists two clear points of reference for distinguishing this tour from the hiking trails described above.
At the DampfLandLeute Museum in Eslohe, you can explore the history of ironworking in the Sauerland. The museum also features an exhibition on local customs and cultural history, documents power machinery and focuses on the mechanisation of agriculture. This cultural history complements the nature themes with a look at work and technology in the region.
The Hochsauerland District is a member of the Sauerland-Rothaargebirge Nature Park, which includes the areas formerly located in the Homert and Rothaargebirge nature parks and is one of Germany’s largest nature parks. The nature park offers opportunities for hiking and cycling, environmental education centres and guided underground tours. For road travel, the A 46 provides access to the Hochsauerland District from west to east and connects the region with the metropolitan areas along the Rhine and Ruhr as well as the new federal states. It is open to traffic along its entire length between Neheim and Bestwig; check current traffic conditions when planning your journey.
Discover more destinations: Marsberg, Bestwig, Brilon, Eslohe, Medebach, Meschede, Winterberg, Sundern, Olsberg, Hallenberg, Arnsberg, Schmallenberg, Nesselbach.
Return to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
