Hemer offers a range of things to discover: the karst landscape of Felsenmeer, the “Sundwiger Schätze” GeoPath and Heinrichshöhle Cave. When planning your visit, it’s not just the sights that matter, but also how you can experience them: a free circular trail, route sections with different layouts, and guided tours. The Hemer Autumn Festival adds a city festival to these highlights, with a programme that may vary from one edition to another.
Felsenmeer: Karst landscape and circular trail
Felsenmeer Hemer is a karst landscape. It has been a nature reserve since 1968 and is part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. A free circular trail leads to viewing platforms and panoramic bridges. This gives you a defined route and several viewpoints to help you find your way; the area’s protected status is also part of its character.
“Sundwiger Schätze” GeoPath: Routes and navigation
The GeoPath is 2.6 km long and includes 18 stations. There are no information boards along the path; information about the stations is available online on the GeoPark Ruhrgebiet website. The north-west route covers stations 1 to 12, while the south-east route covers stations 13 to 18. Each route is around 1.3 km long, counting both the outward and return journeys. The routes therefore differ in the number of stations, while their stated lengths are similar.
The GeoPath starts at the Heinrichshöhle car park, In den Weiden 29, 58675 Hemer. The Sundwig Meise bus stop is 50 m away. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current connections in advance. This lets you plan your journey separately from finding your way along the path.
Also note that path conditions vary: the cave trail on the GeoPath is narrow and uneven and suitable for pedestrians only. The adjacent road for local traffic, or the cycle path below it, is a barrier-free alternative. As path conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before your visit.
Heinrichshöhle Cave and Felsenmeer Museum
Heinrichshöhle Cave was opened to visitors between 1903 and 1905 by Heinrich Meise, then an innkeeper in Sundwig. The standard guided tour lasts about 40 minutes. Special themed tours, educational programmes and tours for children are also available. If you plan to visit the cave, check the current tour dates before your trip.
Another option is the Felsenmeer Museum, run by the Bürger- und Heimatverein Hemer (Citizens’ and Local History Association of Hemer). Group tours can be arranged by phone, including outside opening hours. For groups, calling in advance is therefore an important planning step.
Hemer Autumn Festival
The history of the Hemer Autumn Festival goes back to 1972. The city of Hemer counts it among the region’s most popular city festivals. Recurring programme highlights include fairground rides, walkabout performers and clowns; there is also a children’s flea market on Saturdays and Sundays.
The festival features arts and crafts and food stalls, with more than 250 exhibitors. A car market and an autumn fair are also part of the programme. On Saturdays and Sundays, the attractions are spread across a festival site well over one kilometre long. The programme may vary between festival editions. So if you’re travelling specifically for the Autumn Festival, check the dates and programme for the edition you plan to attend.
You can choose what to do in Hemer based on the focus of your stay: Felsenmeer and the GeoPath offer different walking options, while cave tours, the pre-arranged group visit to the museum and the Autumn Festival each offer their own way to explore the area.
Discover more destinations: Kierspe, Menden, Herscheid, LĂĽdenscheid, Meinerzhagen, Halver, Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde, Neuenrade
See the overview of destinations in the wider area: Märkischer Kreis.
