Oberrarbach is a starting point for the marked OR4 circular trail. The loop begins and ends at the chapel in Oberrarbach and leads through the forests of the Rarbachtal. Viewpoints are also part of the route. If you want to focus on nature and hiking, this gives you a clear destination to plan around.

Plan your route locally

As a signposted circular trail, the OR4 returns to its starting point at the chapel. This means the start and finish are in the same place; the forests of the Rarbachtal and the viewpoints shape the route. Bring sturdy footwear and enough food and drink. This practical preparation is tailored to the hike.

The OR4 is accessible via the Oberrarbach stop on bus route 465. Limited parking is available in front of the Wollmeiner inn. If you are planning to travel by bus or car, check the current connection and parking situation before setting off. This lets you take your journey into account as a separate part of your hiking plans.

More to discover in the wider destination of Schmallenberg

In the wider destination of Schmallenberg, other attractions offer a different focus from hiking in Oberrarbach. Schmallenberg’s old town has a uniform 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 Floigenkasper and Breybalg. If you plan to join the tour, check current dates and booking arrangements.

For a themed route, the wider destination of Schmallenberg offers a family adventure trail about three kilometres long, with 13 stations on forests, animals, wood and birds. Unlike the OR4, this trail focuses on themed stations rather than a circular hike. This can help you decide whether to include a marked loop or a route with individual learning stations in your plans.

The 84-kilometre Sauerland Cycle Ring is another independent way to explore the wider destination of Schmallenberg. The cycle route connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt and follows former railway lines. It is clearly different from the local OR4 circular trail: the focus here is on connecting several of the named towns, not on a loop that starts and finishes at the chapel in Oberrarbach.

There are also different ways to explore woodland themes. The Forestry Workers’ Museum in Schmallenberg-Latrop displays historical tools, pictures of earlier forest and village life, historical foresters’ records, and information on the development of the chainsaw. The Forestry Workers’ and Foresters’ Trail also starts in Schmallenberg-Latrop and runs for 4.5 kilometres, with 17 stations covering topics such as forest ecology and timber use. The museum focuses on historical objects and documents, while the trail explores topics along its stations.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment, it makes sense to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. If the OR4 is central to your hiking plans, search in Oberrarbach. If other attractions in the wider destination of Schmallenberg shape your plans, compare the specific location of each option with your itinerary. Check the details for each accommodation individually.

Discover more destinations: Arpe, Oberkirchen, Werntrop, Dorlar, Schanze, Nordenau, Niederhenneborn, Niederberndorf.

Back to the wider travel overview: Schmallenberg.