Hiking Actively enjoying nature Outdoor Activities Region & Culture Nature Health & Well-Being in the natural paradise in the princely in the land in the heart of at the Rothaarsteig Bad Berleburg of the wisents South Westphalia www.blb-tourismus.de Dear Nature- and Hiking Fans! Welcome to Wittgenstein – the largest connected SkulpturenWeg (ForestSculptureWay) with its eleven forest area in Germany. Especially for hikers, the artworks created by international artists. The trail Rothaargebirge (a low mountain range in North connects the regions Wittgenstein and Sauerland. Rhine-Westphalia and Hessen) is the most beautiful destination in South Westphalia, here you find the Around the Rothaarsteig you can experience the city Bad Berleburg with its 22 villages. You will see: world of hiking with all of your senses: See the pure In our natural paradise you come close to heaven. beauty of nature, the careful keeping of costums and history, as well as a spectacular cultural pro- In Wittgenstein you can find wonderful treasures! gram and great hospitality. The adventurous and various premium hiking paths, e. g. the Wittgensteiner Schieferpfad (Witt- The wild side of Wittgenstein is even more impres- gensteiner slate path), the Via Adrina, the Wisent sive: During a trip to the Wisent-wilderness at the path and of course the Rothaarsteig (hiking path Rothaarsteig the visitors gain an insight into a on the Rothaargebirge), are great to experience. unique wildlife conservation program. Even when you leave the normal paths you will come across beautiful villages that show you the Come and visit us! traditional charm of the region. Unique in Germany and therefore outstanding is the Wald- Your Tourism Team of Bad Berleburg Photo: Klaus Hurtienne 2 3 Bad Berleburg Wittgensteiner Schieferpfad Facts around the track Slate village Raumland: The oldest maintained concession For hiking on the Wittgensteiner Schieferpfad The slate path passes four nature reserves and Hikers should plan around five hours for this tour. Raumland exciting certificat for slate mining is dated back to 1717. The last mine (Wittgensteiner slate path), the bat signs show you numerous habitats. Experienceadventures wilderness at its The tour starts at the parking lot Reisegarten in Hörre 2 was retired in 1973. The Schieferschaubergwerk Raum- Eder the way. One thing that makes this trail very spe- best. Here nature shows all its liberty and unfolds Raumland next to the river Eder, 200 metres from land (visited mine) was opened in 1983. Dotzlar cial: It was the first certified premium hiking path its full beauty. On the more than 14 kilometre long the Schieferschaubergwerk (slate mine museum). www.schieferschaubergwerk.de in our region. Here you will meet imposing cliffs, loop trail you will meet fascinating forest surroun- Church village Raumland: In the 9th century it was the original majestic old trees, clear waters and historical tra- dings, stunning rock formations, enchanted paths, Good physical condition is required, as well as parish of the Edertal. Around 1250 the Bonifatius church was built on a cliff high above the confluence of the rivers Eder and ces of the former slate mining. A great adventure! huge slate mounds as well as great views through sturdy shoes and a backpack with food and Odeborn. The church with three naves is worth a visit especially Length 15 km In 2005 the Wittgensteiner Schieferpfad received the Edertal, to the old city centre of Bad Berleburg drinks. Trekking poles are recommended. because of its mural paintings from the 15th century. Duration ca. 5 h the German hiking seal as the first premium and the slate village Raumland. The landscape is www.kg-raumland.de Altitude hiking path in our region, since then many visitors set in a unique scenery. Some passages of the path On the slate path you can reach the most beautiful cliffs in difference 434 m were thrilled by the path! are adventurous! Wittgenstein. Extraordinary cliffs can be found in the habitats Loop road Fredlar and Honert. Start / Finish Raumland Parts of the tour use the old “Hessenweg”, an old trade route, that ends in Marburg. On the forest road to Fredlar you can see traces of heavily burdened ox-carts in the rocks. The slate path was elaborated by pupils of a school in Bad Ber- leburg. Mining path: You find a theme path about slate mining history in and around Raumland. The tour starts at the ”Grube Delle“ and the first stage is about 3,5 km. www.schieferschaubergwerk.de 4 Hiking in Bad Berleburg, the natural paradise in South Westphalia 5 Schwarzenau Via Adrina Eder Arfeld Dotzlar The Via Adrina is a way with spectacular sights. The premium hiking trail has the German hiking The trail, formed like a lying eight, leads over 20.2 seal and is one of the highlights near the Rothaar- kilometres through the hilly and fascinating land- steig. Starting point is at the Eder bridge in Arfeld. scape around Arfeld and Schwarzenau and explo- The signs with waves run along the Via Adrina res the Eder-loops. in both directions. This signpost concept has also contributed to achieve the premium hiking trail Facts around the track The approximately six-hour tour is demanding. certificat for this route at the end of 2014. Length 20,2 km Hikers should be relatively fit and wear hiking In the Mühlbach (a millstream) near the village Arfeld lives the Since 1250 you find the Church of Arfeld below the church montain. The architectural style goes back to the Duration ca. 6 h shoes. En route you will be rewarded with won- Through a well-marked shortcut, it is also possible “Rote Wittgensteiner Höhenvieh”. The old cow race had nearly disappeared from the meadows, until they were saved from time between the Romantic period and the Gothic period. Altitude derful panoramic views of the surrounding hills to divide the tour into two 12 kilometres stages. extinction by breeding. Since 2011 the church is an open church for cyclists. difference 650 m and adventurous nature trails in the valleys. However, those who want to extend their walk, Hikers from the Via Adrina are very welcome as well. The manor house with its well-tended garden, built in 1788, Loop road after 19 kilometres, you can change to the www.kirche-arfeld.de is worth seeing. The princely family zu Sayn-Wittgenstein- Start / Finish Arfeld Wittgensteiner Schieferpfad which is 15 kilome- Hohenstein used it as a residence for the widowed, a summer The Arfelder Schmiede (forge museum) is also worth a tres long. domicile and a hunting lodge. visit. Until 1970 the Arfelder Schmiede was used. Today the builing it under preservation order. When Alexander Mack baptized eight persons in the river Eder From the two viewing platforms it is possible in 1788, he founded the pietistic movement of the Schwar- www.heimatverein-arfeld.de to see the way you have already passed and the zenau Brethren that still exist today and was spread in the USA after their emigration to North America. Next gastronomies: Gasthof Zum Bahnhof (Arfelder part you will walk during the next hours. Hauptstraße 1, Arfeld, 0 27 55 - 2 03), Café Hainbach The Alexander-Mack-Museum reminds us about the Church (Arfeld, www.fewo-cafe-hainbach.de) Gasthof Kassel Brethren and the time of the radical Pietism in Wittgenstein. (Schwarzenau, www.gasthof-kassel.de) Schwarzenauer Way of www.heimatverein-schwarzenau.de Mühle (Schwarzenau, www.schwarzenauer-muehle.com). spectacular sights 6 Hiking in Bad Berleburg, the natural paradise in South Westphalia 7 Jagdhaus Wisent-Path Facts around the track On the track the wisents are not alone, because the village asso- animal In hikingWittgenstein youpleasure can see the wisents in free burg. ciation Aue-Wingeshausen has printed different animal motives nature. They gave the name for the hiking path in To see the shy giants in the wilderness, a tour on and put them up along the way. So you can see rabbits, foxes, Wingeshausen, which is 13,5 kilometres long. The the Wisent-Path is a great opportunity. Little woo- deers and wild boars in life-size. Wingeshausen Wisent-Path invites you to adventure over narrow den information signs with wisents lead through In the middle of the tour you reach the wisent-wilderness. The forest paths. A great natural spectacle with the mystic forests and idyllic meadow valleys as well concept of the “wilderness” includes a smart heightcontrol to European bisons. as to picturesque views use of the Rothaar ridge on find out which price each person has to pay. The park invites the visitors to climb over rocks and trees, walk through a tunnel the way. and over streams. www.wisent-welt.de Length 13,5 km Because of the unique nature conservation project The theme “All Nature” characterises the nature- and adventure Duration ca. 4,5 h in west Europe the wisents live in the Rothaarge- Who doesn’t get the chance to see the wisents can playground right above the wisent-wilderness. Here you find a Altitude birge since 2013. One herd is living in the woods of go to the “wisent-wilderness” where you can walk water-, wood-, and music place as well as a small wilderness difference 357 m the princely family zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berle- a three kilometre path around a preserve of another for children. Loop road herd of wisents. Also kids can discover a nature Right next to these highlights you can relax for a moment. The Start / Finish Wingeshausen playground. Wisent-Hütte gives you the opportunity to drink and eat some- thing before you start your tour. www.wisent-huette.de Rothaarsteig-Spur The Wisent-Path leads from Wingeshausen, trough There is more gastronomy next to the path: Photo: Heidi Bücker the Rohrbach-Valley, over the Rothaar ridge, to Café-Restaurant Sonnenhof: www.sonnenhof-cafe.de Hotel-Restaurant Forellenhof: www.forellenhof-wingeshausen.de Schmallenberg-Jagdhaus, through the picturesque valley of the Ihrige and paths in the Bockeshorn- Valley back to Wingeshausen.