In Dorlar, St. Hubertus and the signposted D12 circular trail offer two distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: architectural and art history on the one hand, and a clearly defined hiking route on the other.
St. Hubertus: Building History and Works of Art
St. Hubertus developed from a medieval chapel into a pilgrimage church. The present-day Neo-Romanesque parish church was built in 1913; the tower and parts of the side aisle from its predecessor, built in 1358, have been preserved. Its building history therefore extends beyond the construction of the present-day building. Visitor highlights include a late Gothic PietĂ dating from 1475 and a baptismal font more than 1,000 years old from the former church in Kirchilpe. The different dates help distinguish the building and works of art chronologically: the present-day building is more recent than the surviving parts of its predecessor, while the PietĂ and baptismal font each provide their own historical reference points.
The D12: Circular Trail Starting in Dorlar
The D12 starts and ends in the center of Dorlar, is marked as a circular trail, and is 6.9 kilometers long with 167 meters of elevation gain. Part of the route runs through the Schmallenberg Sauerland. Distance and elevation gain describe two aspects of the route: its length and the elevation to be climbed.
You can reach the D12 by bus on route 369, getting off at the “Schrage” stop. Limited parking is available at the church and the shooting hall. Check bus connections and parking conditions before setting out; trail conditions can also change.
More cultural attractions and trails in the wider Schmallenberg destination
The wider Schmallenberg destination offers more cultural attractions and trails to choose from. Schmallenberg’s old town features a consistent Neoclassical architectural style and many restored half-timbered houses. A historical guided tour offers insights into Schmallenberg’s history and introduces local characters such as the Floigenkasper and the Breybalg. Check current dates and booking options for the tour.
For insights into forestry, the Forestry Workers’ Museum in Schmallenberg-Latrop displays historical tools, pictures of former forest and village life, historical foresters’ records, and information on the development of the chainsaw. The museum combines the material history of forestry with insights into village life in the past; foresters’ records and information on the chainsaw add written and technical perspectives to the tools and pictures. Also in Schmallenberg-Latrop, the Forestry Workers’ and Foresters’ Trail is 4.5 kilometers long and has 17 stops covering forest ecology and timber use. Another trail in the wider Schmallenberg destination is the approximately three-kilometer family adventure trail, with 13 stops about forests, animals, wood, and birds.
On a different scale, the 84-kilometer Sauerland Cycle Ring connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg, and Lennestadt and follows former railway lines. The routes differ in format: the D12 is a circular trail, the Forestry Workers’ and Foresters’ Trail and the family adventure trail feature stops, while the Sauerland Cycle Ring is a longer cycling route. This makes it easy to compare cultural attractions, forests, and trails in the wider Schmallenberg destination with Dorlar’s highlights.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Kirchrarbach, Lenne, Bad Fredeburg, Fleckenberg, Nordenau, Westfeld, Menkhausen, Oberkirchen
Back to the wider travel overview: Schmallenberg.
