Two reservoir trails, a museum dedicated to Bakelite, and ten listening points spread across the town give Kierspe its distinctive character. There is also Schleiper Hammer and collections devoted to literature and tin figures. The clear differences can help you plan: Jubach Reservoir is accessible only on foot from the Herlinghausen-Volme hiking car park, and an appointment is required in advance to visit the Märkisches Zinnfigurenkabinett. This makes it easy to choose between landscapes, technology, and local collections according to your interests.
Reservoir trails with different landmarks
The Kierspe Reservoir Route starts and ends in the Kierspe district of Rönsahl and, as it continues, circles Kerspe Reservoir. At Jubach Reservoir, a 2.7 km trail runs around the water; the reservoir is accessible only on foot from the Herlinghausen-Volme hiking car park. This offers two different ways to orient your outing: Rönsahl and the circuit around Kerspe Reservoir on the one hand, and a specific trail length and the walk from Herlinghausen-Volme on the other.
Bakelite and historic production machinery
The Kierspe Bakelite Museum is described as unique in Germany and displays several thousand exhibits in a changing exhibition. Products made from the world's first synthetic plastic include kitchen appliances, bicycle grips, light switches, a “magic lantern,” Volksempfänger radios, ashtrays, hair dryers, and typewriters.
Schleiper Hammer is located in Schleipetal, a side valley of the Volme on its right bank, within the city of Kierspe. Visitors can watch demonstrations of historic production machinery and try their hand at it themselves. The two technology attractions offer different experiences: the Bakelite Museum focuses on plastic products, while Schleiper Hammer highlights demonstrations and hands-on participation.
Literature, tin figures, and listening points
Literature has its own place at the Fritz Linde Museum: books and letters by Fritz Linde, Kierspe's local poet, are on display. The Märkisches Zinnfigurenkabinett has a different collecting focus. Around 15,000 tin figures and 50 dioramas are displayed there. An appointment with Detlef Voigt-Wetzel must be arranged in advance for a visit. Make sure to arrange this before including the collection in your itinerary.
Ten Kierspe listening points are spread across the town. They give the theme of listening a town-wide presence, while a guided tour of Kierspe by coach can be booked for closed groups. Groups can consider this tour as a separate option.
In the Märkischer Kreis: Wire Museum and Felsenmeer
The German Wire Museum in the Märkischer Kreis offers a distinct focus on technology. It is an interactive experience museum about wire production in the past and today; its experiment stations invite visitors to take part. In addition to the history of technology, it explores the social, economic, and cultural history of wire. This distinguishes it from the Kierspe Bakelite Museum, which displays plastic products.
Felsenmeer Hemer is also located in the Märkischer Kreis: its rock formations developed over centuries under the influence of wind, water, and people; the area is also one of Westphalia's oldest iron ore mining sites. Felsenmeer can be visited only via designated paths; the signposted panoramic trail leads to viewpoints.
Discover more destinations: Hemer, LĂĽdenscheid, Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde, Altena, Meinerzhagen, SchalksmĂĽhle, Balve, Menden
Back to the main travel overview: Märkischer Kreis.
