In Gleidorf, you can discover churches, local history and routes on different scales: the GL3 circular hiking trail starts and ends at a church, while the Sauerland Cycle Ring passes through the town. During your stay, you can choose between a manageable hike, a look at the churches’ architecture and a longer cycling route.
Churches, History and the Town Centre
Gleidorf’s geographical centre is the confluence of the Gleier and the Lenne. The churches also provide specific points of reference for the town’s history: the Friedenskapelle (Peace Chapel) was built in 1858 by brothers Franz and Anton Lingemann in honour of the Virgin Mary; the Protestant Church of the Resurrection was built in 1873. Since 1984, the Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Church of the Sacred Heart) has been an example of contemporary church architecture.
At the Herz-Jesu-Kirche, visitors can select texts and songs using an interactive screen. The lighting changes colour to match. This means a visit to the church combines its architecture with the opportunity to choose the content yourself. The town’s history offers another way to explore the past: Gleidorf was a transit area for pilgrims, traders and mercenaries who used the old Heidenstraße to cross the Sauerland.
On Foot or by Bike
The regional GL3 circular hiking trail is 4.7 kilometres long and marked with the GL3 trail symbol. The route is estimated to take about 1.5 hours. It starts and ends at the church in Gleidorf, climbing gently towards Bad Fredeburg before descending gently on the return. The approximate duration and the described elevation profile can help you fit the route into your day’s plans.
Parking is available at the church. The starting point can also be reached via the “Unterdorf” bus stop, served by bus routes S90, 463, R69 and S40. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable in advance.
For a cycling trip, consider a different scale: the Sauerland Cycle Ring passes through Gleidorf and close to both the Protestant and Catholic churches. The Bauernland cycling route leads onto the Sauerland Cycle Ring, which runs through Gleidorf to Schmallenberg. The “Wilde 13” playground, with a climbing frame, swings and slides, is also right on the Sauerland Cycle Ring.
In the wider Schmallenberg destination
The wider Schmallenberg destination offers additional places to visit that you can consider separately from the attractions in Gleidorf. Schmallenberg’s old town features a uniform 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 the current dates and booking arrangements for this tour in advance.
The cycling route can also be viewed in a broader context: the 84-kilometre Sauerland Cycle Ring connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt and follows former railway lines. This makes it a much longer cycling route than the 4.7-kilometre GL3 loop; the two routes differ both in activity and in scale.
Other options in the wider Schmallenberg destination offer different themes. A family adventure trail of about three kilometres leads past 13 stations exploring forests, animals, wood and birds. The forestry museum in Schmallenberg-Latrop displays historic tools, pictures of former forest and village life, forestry office records and information on the development of the chainsaw. The Forest Worker and Forester Trail in Schmallenberg-Latrop covers 4.5 kilometres and has 17 stations that explore topics including forest ecology and timber use.
Discover more destinations: Fleckenberg, Niederhenneborn, Niederberndorf, Altenilpe, Oberkirchen, Dorlar, Kirchilpe, Werntrop.
Back to the wider travel guide: Schmallenberg.
