Altenilpe can be explored through two distinctive traces: the architectural history of St. Lucia’s Church and paths that take in the Ilpe Valley, woodland and mining history. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether to focus on local history, hiking or both. The routes differ in their points of reference and the stories they tell.
St. Lucia’s and Altenilpe’s Architectural History
St. Lucia’s Church in Altenilpe is a three-bay hall church dating from 1921. Part of the 1890 chapel was incorporated into its construction. This much larger chapel was dedicated to St. Lucia and had replaced an earlier chapel. The architectural history of today’s church therefore reaches back beyond the year it was built.
A chapel in Altenilpe is mentioned as early as around 1600: it was dedicated to St. Jodokus, had fallen into disrepair and was demolished in 1888. The sequence of events runs from this early mention, through the construction of the chapel in 1890, to the hall church of 1921. Anyone interested in historic townscapes will find a tangible development across several building phases here, rather than just a single date.
Hiking Routes with Different Highlights
The AL4 circular trail starts in Altenilpe and runs below Sellinghausen along the Ilpe spring. It then passes through part of the wooded Schmallenberg Sauerland before returning to the starting point. The Ilpe spring and the return to Altenilpe are the tour’s key points of reference.
The S8 circular trail passes through Altenilpe and around the Ilpe Valley. It crosses the Ilpe there and goes past St. Lucia’s Church, first through meadows and later through woodland in the direction of Hengsiepen and Nierentrop. The church is therefore not only a subject of local history, but also a point of reference along this route.
The Sellinghausen Miners’ Path takes a different approach: this 6.7-kilometre circular trail has an elevation difference of almost 300 metres and includes some steep sections. For the most part, it follows the historic footpath that many miners from Sellinghausen and Altenilpe used for almost 100 years to get to their workplace: the Felicitas slate mine in Heiminghausen. The path therefore combines a hike with the history of work in the slate-mining industry. As trail conditions can change, check their current status before setting out.
The features described offer different ways to choose between the routes: AL4 passes along the Ilpe spring and returns to the starting point; S8 connects the Ilpe Valley with St. Lucia’s Church; and the Miners’ Path adds a specific mining story to its circular route, along with details about its length and elevation difference.
More to Explore in the Wider Schmallenberg Destination
Schmallenberg itself also has its own cultural and historical attractions. The old town has a cohesive Neoclassical architectural character and many restored half-timbered houses. A guided historical tour offers insights into Schmallenberg’s history and introduces local characters such as the Floigenkasper and the Breybalg. If you plan to take this tour, check the latest dates and booking arrangements in advance.
In Schmallenberg-Latrop, the Forestry Workers’ Museum features historic tools, images of former forest and village life, foresters’ records and the development of the chainsaw. The Forestry Workers’ and Foresters’ Trail also starts in Schmallenberg-Latrop: it covers 4.5 kilometres and features 17 stations on forest ecology and timber use.
The approximately three-kilometre Family Adventure Trail in Schmallenberg explores a different theme. Its 13 stations cover forests, animals, wood and birds. For cyclists, the 84-kilometre SauerlandRadring is another option in the wider destination: it connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt and follows former railway lines.
You can choose your holiday apartment based on the experiences you want to make the most of during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Niederhenneborn, Bad Fredeburg, Kirchilpe, Oberkirchen, Arpe, Niederberndorf, Bödefeld, Werntrop.
Back to the main travel guide: Schmallenberg.
