Halberbracht: Around the Weilenscheid

In Halberbracht, the tour starts at the parking lot (S) next to Oststraße. From here, follow the white triangle markings (∆) to reach the Halberbracht ski hut (note opening times, open Thursday - Sunday, tel. 02721/83126) and the edge of the forest in just a few steps. After a while, you will be rewarded with a great view of Elspe and the festival grounds (1) after the bend. The hike continues in a varied manner, sometimes passing diverse windbreak zones, then again dense fir forest or mixed deciduous forest. Meadows also line the path, which continuously descends and reaches the few houses of Hachen (2) after 2 km. Here you separate from the ∆ and walk uphill to the right. After the last house, follow the A17 markings to the left onto a field path. Your gaze sweeps far across the open landscape and stops at a fluttering flag high in the forest: this is the next intermediate destination, the Wallburgturm! So it's time to gain height again, which is initially moderately strenuous up to the edge of the forest. At the edge of the forest, a bench (3) offers a view and a place to rest before the going gets tough! In the forest, A17 leads steeply uphill, with a gradient of more than 30% up to the tower. If this is too much, you can stay on the valley path and skip the detour to the Wallburgturm (4). On a clear day, you can take in the surroundings from the tower windows. After climbing to the summit of the former Celtic mountain, the trail descends almost as steeply in serpentines to the valley path. This leads halfway up the slope with beautiful views of the valley to the west. At the following crossroads, you stay on A17 and soon find yourself on wide forest paths descending into the Lenne valley. The landscape is entertaining and there are always great views. The approach to the valley cannot be ignored and asphalt begins at the first house in Theten. A hairpin bend takes you all the way to the small village, which boasts a venerable lime tree (5). In the valley, turn left onto the village road. At the end of the village, the route then climbs steeply to the left and after the last house, a wide field path begins. You gain height again with a good view of the open valley. After 7.1 km, the ascent leads to the junction at the "Meggen Heiligenhäuschen" (6). With the white ∆, you now have to master the ascent below the Hardt. The reward is a view (7) of Meggen and the Lenne valley. After a final detour into the forest, the route leads through meadows and pastures back to Halberbracht (S).