Experiences at the Versetalsperre:
Walking loop around the Hokühler Bay (1.9 km): From the parking lot, the wheelchair and pram-friendly path leads around the bay. The circular hiking trail also includes the Knax-Naturerlebnispfad, which offers exciting insights into nature with 9 stations. (Info at www.luedenscheid.de)
Trail along the east side of the dam (one route 6.6 km): from the parking lot at the dam wall, the asphalt path leads along the dam for several kilometers. Well suited for inline skaters or bicycles.
The circular hiking trail A1 runs for around 11 kilometers, first along the east side of the dam and then through the greenery with views towards the Ebbe Mountains.
Restaurants around the Versetalsperre dam:
Steakhaus am Piepersloh, Lüdenscheid (approx. 2 km)
Café-Restaurant Vedder, Herscheid (approx. 5 km)
Landhaus Stottmert, Herscheid (approx. 5 km)
Parking facilities:
Free parking spaces at Hohkühler Bucht (L694) and at the dam wall (L561).
Arrival by public transport:
MVG bus route 54 between Lüdenscheid station and Plettenberg ZOB, bus stop: Versetalsperre.
Further information:
Numerous small tributaries and streams feed the Verse Reservoir, which can be crossed via two bridges. It is used to supply drinking water, to raise low water levels in the Ruhr and to generate electricity. Water sports are therefore not permitted. The Ruhrverband provides information about water management, the technical background and the construction of the Versetalsperre on six display boards at the hiking parking lot at Klamer Brücke near Hokühler Bucht.
The dam was built in the 1940s using the labor of prisoners from the National Socialist labor education camp in Hunswinkel. Around 550 prisoners died during this time due to starvation, abuse or being shot. The Hunswinkel memorial near the Klam Bridge commemorates these victims of the Nazi regime.