Liesen combines scenic experiences with visible traces of village history. Above the village, the Liesetal Valley stretches into the Rothaar Mountains; there are also marked trails, churches and a bakehouse in the village centre. This gives you different options when planning your trip: longer hikes, nature observation or cultural and historical stops.

Trails and Scenery

Above Liesen, the Liesetal Valley stretches for around 4.5 kilometres as a ribbon of species-rich meadows and pastures leading into the wooded Rothaar Mountains. Woodland and open land are closely interwoven here. The Liesetal Valley is designated as a nature reserve, protecting a landscape where open areas and woodland meet.

A small geological exposure in the Liesetal Valley has an information board provided by the Geological Survey. Below the summit ridge of the Hilmesberg lies one of the last mountain heaths in the Medebach Bay, surrounded by coppice woodland. From the summit of the Hilmesberg, views extend across the Rothaar Mountains and the Medebach Bay.

Another viewpoint is the Sauerland-Stabil-Stuhl near Hallenberg-Liesen: this eight-metre-high wooden artwork with a viewing platform stands on the Kohlberg. From there, the 360-degree panoramic view takes in Liesen, Hallenberg, Hesborn and the Medebach Bay.

Hiking with Different Highlights

The “Gelobte Kreuze” (Votive Crosses) themed trail loops around Liesen, passing crosses, wayside shrines and small chapels. You can walk the 11.1-kilometre route in one go or split it into two sections of 5.8 and 5.3 kilometres. At each stop, information panels with QR codes provide details about the site. The trail therefore combines a choice of route lengths with information about the religious landmarks along the way.

The Liesetal Valley Nature Trail follows 13 kilometres of easy-to-walk paths through the “Liesetal-Hilmesberg” Natura 2000 site and offers a relaxing nature excursion. The Meisebockweg offers a different kind of route: this circular trail is around 12 kilometres long, follows the Höhenflug trail and is marked throughout with a white H on a blue background.

A guided hike along the “Bergruine Freier Stein und Pferdestall” circular trail is regularly offered in Liesen by certified nature and landscape guide Ursula Schüngel through Touristik Winterberg mit Hallenberg. If you would like to include this guided hike in your plans, check the dates in advance.

Churches and Village History

St Thomas Parish Church in Liesen is a modern hall church with a Baroque high altar and an organ dating from 1811. As a place of interest, it combines modern church architecture with historic furnishings. The smaller church was built in Liesen in 1746 and is now a listed monument.

The bakehouse in the village centre is also part of the village’s history. It was built next to the parish hall to mark the 700th anniversary on 1 September 2013. It is therefore a local landmark in its own right, alongside the churches and the stops on the themed trail.

The bakehouse team offers additional baking days in spring and autumn. On these days, visitors can collect bread that they have ordered in advance. If you would like to include a baking day in your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance.

In summer, the leisure facility with a foot-treading pool in the Liesetal Valley near Liesen offers visitors a chance to cool off. The local village community maintains the facility. This means nature trails, viewpoints and village history are complemented by a seasonal attraction in the valley.

Discover more destinations: Braunshausen, Hesborn.

See the main travel overview: Hallenberg.