Everything hikers could wish for
#wanderlust
The Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Eslohe vacation region are absolute specialists when it comes to hiking: Diverse trails and exciting destinations offer a lot of fun while hiking and the quality infrastructure allows you to enjoy a stress-free active vacation. Here you can take time for yourself, experience special moments with your loved ones or get to know other hiking enthusiasts. Experience the special tranquillity of the Sauerland seaside resorts. Discover not only nature, but also art and history. Or take part in sociable hiking events and meet people from the region. All this and much more is on offer in our region's diverse hiking offer.
You can find all the information you need in our new, practical hiking brochure:
Bödefelder Hollenmarsch 2024
Save the Date: 24.05. & 25.05.2024
On the last weekend in May, everything "that has legs" and likes to use them a lot meets in the nature village of Bödefeld. The Bödefelder Hollenmarsch invites hikers, marchers, Nordic walkers, runners, trail runners, ultra runners and, of course, spectators to take on the six different hiking and running routes.
Rothaarsteig
Path of the senses
Fascinating views and distant vistas. An impressively natural route, forest sofas, snack islands and adventure stations. Covering a total of 154 km and 3,931 meters in altitude, the Rothaarsteig from Brilon im Sauerland via Wittgensteiner Bergland and Siegerland to Dillenburg at the foot of the Westerwald. The route through the Schmallenberg Sauerland is generally regarded as a "gem" due to its scenic diversity, exemplary infrastructure and authentic gastronomy.
Sauerland-Höhenflug
250 km of hiking bliss & magnificent views
Experience nature high above: You can do this on a hike on the certified quality hiking trail "Sauerland-Höhenflug". A total of 243 km at an altitude of 400 to 800 meters lead from the starting points of Altena Castle or Meinerzhagen to Korbach. "Only flying is more beautiful", because the Sauerland Höhenflug runs almost entirely along mountain ridges, which offer fascinating panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. In between, narrow paths lead to streams and gorges, through high moors and heaths. Discover this magnificent long-distance hiking trail.
WaldSkulpturenWeg
Nature meets art
This is what happens when internationally renowned artists explore the eventful history between the Protestant-influenced Wittgenstein and the Sauerland region with its Catholic roots in the Electorate of Cologne. Eleven fascinating installations, sculptures and sculptures await you along the 23.5 km WaldSkulpturenWeg, where nature and art come together. The works of art also show the often contradictory relationship between man and nature and invite you to linger and pause for a moment.
Wandertaxi Waldskulpturenweg
Service
The "Wandertaxi" takes you directly to the starting point of the Forest Sculpture Trail. Registration is required by 5 p.m. on Fridays at the guest information desk on Schmallenberg under 02972 9740-18.
Information WandertaxiWaldskulpturenweg Movie
Movie
Prepare yourself for goosebumps and wanderlust. Watching this three-minute movie will make you want to lace up your hiking boots and set off immediately. Have fun!
Watch the movieAll the information about the route, the artists and their works of art, the history and the people. 152 pages with almost one hundred illustrations invite you on a mental journey to Waldskulpturenweg.
More information about the bookSauerland-Camino
From cathedral to cathedral
This pilgrimage route connects the cathedral cities of Paderborn and Köln. Like all pilgrimage routes, it is a link between European countries and thus connects people of faith with Europe. It pays tribute to the "Déclaration de Saint-Jacques de Compstelle" of the Council of Europe of October 23, 1987
In 1987, the Council of Europe published a declaration in which the Ways of St. James were given the greatest symbolic importance for the creation and cohesion of Europe. It calls for these routes to be researched, marked and maintained by scientific means in order to raise public awareness of these important cultural routes in Europe with the aim of creating a society based on tolerance, mutual respect, freedom and solidarity.
The Sauerland-Camino runs through the Schmallenberg Sauerland and the vacation region Eslohe from Reiste to Eslohe.
Sauerland Soul places
Living silence
Sauerland·Soul places – These are rocks and quarries, churches and hilltops, mighty trees and underground caves, lakes and valleys. 43 places, spread across the Sauerland hiking villages, have been selected because they are particularly impressive and have a special significance for the people in their surroundings. Not only today, but also in earlier times. They touch people emotionally, mentally and spiritually. They evoke strong resonances. They are places to which people wander and where they can switch off. To come to themselves. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Be inspired. Gain new insights. Even if every place of the soul tells its own story, there is one quality that connects them all: Living silence.
Golddorf-Routes
Discover the most beautiful villages
These villages are special: well-kept, well-preserved, decorated, have a particularly good village community and are actively involved in their future. These villages are awarded national gold in the "Our village should become more beautiful" competition. Nine national winners alone belong to Schmallenberg and Eslohe, making them the "most golden" region in our country.
Explore these special places with their pretty half-timbered houses, lush flowering gardens, sparkling clean streets and alleyways along the twelve "Gold Routes".
Lauschpohl routes: Old stories - told anew
Listen on the way
At a total of 20 stations you will find rustic posts with a roof and an audio station. They are located in beautiful and exciting places throughout the farmland. Always where something "legendary" happened, where you have an enchanted view of something worth telling or where there is a special place that tells a story or can give you strength. If you want to listen to the history of the place, a little "manual work" is required. A crank sets the mechanism in motion that reveals the exciting story to you. Just listen and enjoy, let your gaze wander and let the past come alive.
Hiking with the whole family
Hiking rediscovered
Children want to move, experience and discover things. That's exactly what a family hike is all about. Get out into nature, create shared experiences and do something for their health and well-being at the same time. Only when the children are having fun does the hike become a pleasure for the adults too. The educational paths and adventure trails in the Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Eslohe vacation region make exactly that possible. Exciting discoveries in nature, daring climbs or unusual sensory experiences are what make these tours so appealing. Hiking becomes a real adventure for families.
Discover nature and the animals in the forests of the Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Eslohe vacation region together with your children. Barefoot trails, nature trails and varied paths make hiking an exciting family experience. Make sure you have enough provisions with you, take enough breaks and choose an attractive hiking destination. This will turn what used to be a dull Sunday hike into a real family event.
Fans of the fast pace will find plenty of space to indulge in their favorite sport in the forests of the Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Eslohe vacation region. Whether with or without poles, the well-signposted and well-developed forest trails in our region are simply great fun.
Fancy stepping up the pace? Then try speed hiking. Ambitious cross-country runners with poles run around 30% faster than normal through the terrain. Climbs and descents alternate constantly, so that your pulse and breathing are alternately stressed.
Real relaxation in the fresh air. The trend sport Breath Walk combines elements of yoga, mindful walking, dynamic breathing and conscious movement. Every BreathWalk provides effective exercise and improves stamina. The effectiveness of the BreathWalk is constantly being proven by studies. Breathwalk improves breathing and posture, strengthens the immune system, activates the acid-base balance and strengthens the circulatory system. This turns your walk into a fitness event.
Nature makes you happy
Leave behind a few days of stress and hectic, noise and confinement. Where better to do this than in the middle of nature and on foot in the fresh air? Take a deep breath, switch off, feel the sun, wind and weather and then stop off for a bite to eat. Our hiking services are sure to help you:
Hiking maps
Signpost
Many kilometers of well-signposted hiking trails await you. You will hardly need a map on the way as orientation is extremely easy. But it is still very popular for tour planning: the hiking map. You can get one for € 6.90 and with the Schmallenberger Sauerland Card for 5.90 €.
Order hiking mapsTour portal
Overview
This interactive portal helps you to find the right route with just a few clicks. No matter whether you want to hike, walk, pilgrimage or cycle. All information and detailed data on the route, duration, altitude and level of difficulty are included. The route data can be downloaded or printed out as a map.
To the tour portalCurrent information
Info
The current road closures in the Schmallenberg Sauerland and the vacation region Eslohe can be found here at a glance.
Closed hiking trails
Of course, accommodation is part of an all-round successful hiking vacation. Here we clearly recommend the "Sauerländer Wandergasthöfe". Their consistent focus on the wishes and needs of hikers make these hosts specialists for hiking vacations. The mostly family-run hotels and inns are nestled in the beautiful Sauerland landscape. Numerous hiking routes start directly from there and the hosts are competent advisors when it comes to routes, weather and hiking destinations. Regional cuisine and warm hospitality ensure relaxation and enjoyment after the hike.
Finally, tailor-made travel packages or extra services such as luggage transportation are aimed precisely at the requirements of hiking holidaymakers. These hosts are an important component of our Wanderbares Deutschland quality region.
Refreshment tips
Retreat
It's as much a part of the experience as hiking boots and rucksack: the hearty hiking stop-off in between or at the end of a tour. Discover down-to-earth cuisine, hearty specialties and warm Sauerländer hospitality. Small inns and rustic huts invite hungry hikers to enjoy a hearty snack. Stop for a bite to eat!
Gastronomy overviewRescue point system
Safety on the road. All signposts at the forks in the Schmallenberg Sauerland and the vacation region Eslohe have an unmistakable code number. With the help of this identification you can call for help quickly in the event of an emergency, as the rescue service will know directly where you are. Everything has been thought of.
Hiking trips
Hiking without luggage on the Roothaarsteig, the Höhenflug and other excellent trails
Are you looking for a tailor-made hiking vacation? The Reisewelt team Sauerland is very familiar with the major long-distance hiking trails, multi-day and circular hiking trails in the Sauerland and Siegerland and has put together the most beautiful tours and hiking-friendly hosts in attractive packages - for your perfect hiking vacation.
Hiking bus & hiking bus tips
With your Schmallenberger Sauerland Card you can use public transport and the local bus free of charge. You also benefit from the hiking bus, which takes you up to the most beautiful hiking destinations, romantic valleys and idyllic mountain villages.
This service also makes it easy to plan long-distance hikes - for example "backwards". Park your car at a nice stop-off point, use the hiking bus and hike back to your car along the most beautiful routes in a relaxed manner.
The hiking bus runs from Tuesday to Sunday during the season.
Wandertaxi
Relaxed to the most beautiful stages on the Sauerland-Höhenflug and at Waldskulpturenweg.
The hiking cabs in the Schmallenberg Sauerland take you to the most beautiful stages and routes. Plan your day tour or relaxed circular hike through the beautiful landscape of the Schmallenberger Sauerland and the vacation region Eslohe. Holders of the Schmallenberger Sauerland Card pay a fare of €2 for adults and €1 for children.
Call cab
Daily service
With the Schmallenberger Sauerland Card you have the opportunity to use the "Ruf-Taxi" daily for a fee of €2 for adults and €1 for children. Three times a day at fixed departure times it drives a fixed route in the Sorpetal as well as in Westfeld and Ohlenbach along the stops listed below.
The call cab must be requested at least one hour before the desired departure time by calling 02972 921092.
Winterwandern
Do you also prefer walking in winter? Then the cleared winter hiking trails in the Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Eslohe vacation region are just the thing for you. The landscape presents itself in a white coat of frost or snow, nature takes a break and you can feel the peace and quiet. Let the "wind blow around your nose" on a winter hike and look forward to a hot drink afterwards - ideally by a crackling open fire.
It is also advisable to wear sturdy shoes with treaded soles on the cleared paths. The local snow clearing services do their best, but are also powerless against sudden changes in the weather and snowfall. So take precautions and wrap up warm.
Snowshoe hiking
Trudge "over" the snow on big feet through an untouched winter wonderland. Snowshoeing (Nordic snowshoeing) makes it possible.
The Hochsauerland cross-country skiing center in Westfeld & Ohlenbach offers rental snowshoes and poles as well as guided tours. So get out into the fresh winter air and give this sport with a "fitness effect" a try.
Please be considerate of the native wildlife in the woods, which needs to conserve its reserves at this time of year, and do not scare it off.
Barrier-free travel
If you would like to explore the beauty of the region in a wheelchair or with a baby carriage, we have a selection of paths to choose from that do not involve walking over hill and dale. You can find this selection via the QR code. Discover the Herrmannsteich pond, explore the Uentroptal valley or stroll through the idyllic half-timbered village of Holthausen. Some of these paths are flat and paved, others take you a little uphill and downhill. You should therefore check individually whether the paths are suitable for your plans. (Tip: Try out the "3D flight" function to get an impression of the route at home).