Two marked circular routes make it easy to plan a hike in Wulmeringhausen: the W1 covers 6.56 kilometres and takes about two hours; at 9.25 kilometres and around 2 hours 50 minutes, the W4 is the longer route. The W4 also has a stated ascent of 248 metres. These times are estimates and provide a guide for planning your day, not an exact, minute-by-minute schedule.
Hiking routes by distance and time
The W1 follows the young Neger towards Steinhelle and Assinghausen before returning to Wulmeringhausen. Signposting and trail surfaces should be checked locally. The W4 crosses the Neger bridge and a railway bridge, climbs towards Ziegenberg and Wolkenberg, and returns via BergstraĂźe. Its greater distance and stated ascent call for different tour planning than the shorter W1; trail conditions can change. When planning the route into your day, use the approximate walking times as a guide and allow time for breaks.
Kneipp experiences along the cycling route
Another option is the Olsberg Kneipp cycling route, which reaches Wulmeringhausen via a cycle path. It links a herb garden beside the church with a natural foot bath in the Neger and a rustic arm basin fed by the stream. This tour therefore differs from the two hiking routes in both its mode of transport and its Kneipp focus. The water features may be affected by seasonal conditions; if they are important to your plans, it is advisable to check their current status before your outing.
More attractions in the wider destination of Olsberg
In the wider destination of Olsberg, the Bruchhauser Steine offer a distinctive focus on nature and history. The area near Olsberg-Bruchhausen is a nature reserve, a Special Area of Conservation and a bird protection area. In April 2017, the Bruchhauser Steine were designated North Rhine-Westphalia’s first National Natural Monument. A visitor centre, guided tours and several themed trails provide access to the protected rocky area. Between the rocks is also a prehistoric hillfort and place of worship dating from around 500 BC. Anyone wishing to combine hiking with history will find a different thematic focus here than on the W1 and W4 routes in Wulmeringhausen.
The wider destination of Olsberg also offers other Kneipp experiences. The Kneipp WanderWeg Olsberg is 40 kilometres long, is a “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality trail and has six natural Kneipp footbath stations. It starts at the Rote Brücke, a striking railway bridge above the Gierskopp district on the Roten Weg. The Kneipp ErlebnisPark has ten Kneipp rest stops where visitors can experience all five Kneipp elements with their senses. The AquaOlsberg Sauerland thermal spa combines brine and Kneipp treatments with sports and leisure facilities; its sports pool is 25 metres long and the water is 28°C. As operating details can change, check the latest information before visiting.
The wider destination of Olsberg also offers other cultural highlights: more than 200 varieties of roses grow in the rose village of Assinghausen, and four rose trails lead through the village. The Eisenberg near Olsberg is one of the 43 Sauerland Seelenorte.
Discover more destinations: Bruchhausen, Wiemeringhausen, Elleringhausen, Gierskopp, Elpe, Antfeld, Assinghausen
Back to the wider travel overview: Olsberg.
