- Culturally interesting
- Circular route
Open Mind Places - Stations to pause for a moment
Extraordinary works of art invite you to pause, slow down and linger around Medebach/Referinghausen.
Tour starting point:
Referinghausen L872 trail parking lot (small railway wagon)
Tour destination point:
Referinghausen L872 trail parking lot (small railway wagon)
Properties:
Category
ThemenwegLength
7.2 kmDuration
2:15 hElevation ascent
171 mElevation descent
171 mLowest point
440 mHighest point
547 mCondition
Difficulty
Recommended seasons
This suggested route connects the Open Mind Places by architect and artist Christoph Hessen.
The places of open thoughts invite you to pause and linger - points of calm in the midst of our fast-moving, digital times. The extraordinary "follies" in the middle of nature are made of local materials and were built by the artist himself, with the help of his family and craftsmen friends as well as some villagers.
In the center of the village on the multi-generational square, the Unterholz and Oberholz immediately catch the eye. The Oberholz offers a sweeping view over the village and the gently undulating landscape. After a steep ascent along a natural forest path, the trail leads through fields and meadows to the next installation, the origin: four cubes made of flambéed wood, reminiscent of the beginnings of the village, which is over 750 years old. The Sonnenklang is enthroned on the Easter fire hill. Its tent-shaped copper roof catches the sun's rays and the sounds of the surroundings while you enjoy the landscape on a wooden lounger underneath.
Through the typical cultural landscape of Medebach Bay with its meadows and pastures, you reach the next stop: two panels vividly explain the temporary artworks Strohtherme and Waldbrand, which attracted attention in 2019 and 2020 respectively on neighboring meadows. The plow is also particularly impressive. A staircase takes you down into the walk-in sculpture to pause on a bench with a sweeping view over fields and farmland.
The hike continues along natural paths and trails in the forest through two quarries. You enjoy wonderful views of the village and can also see the Open Mind Place Sonnenklang in the distance. Past the pretty Marienkapelle chapel, along the Heidenstraße, an old pilgrimage and trade route between Leipzig and Cologne, you reach the Himmelstropfen along the way and finally, at the transition between the forest and clearing, a towering wooden monument, the Heidentempel. Seats invite you to pause and rest before the route leads downhill through the forest back towards Referinghausen.
Further information on the individual Open Mind Places:
Information
Directions
The Open Mind Places can be hiked with this suggested tour. The route is marked with the symbol of the sound of the sun.From the hiking parking lot, the path leads along the road "Zum Ehrenmal" to the multi-generation square, where we already come across the first two Open Mind Places, the Unterholz and Oberholz. To the west via the path "Am Steimel", shortly afterwards we climb a few steps up into the forest and then steeply uphill on a natural path. At the top, we keep to the east and pass two milk station signs. At the fork in the path, we turn right and reach the district road, which we follow in the direction of Düdinghausen. At the old sports field, we turn right onto the path and reach the Open Mind Place Ursprung. We continue along the path, after approx. 500 m it bends to the right and shortly afterwards we keep right again at the fork. After approx. 500 m, we reach Sonnenklang, another Open Mind Place.The route now leads downhill towards the village. On the country road at the farm "Zur Grund Nr. 2", two plaques commemorate the temporary installations Strohtherme and Waldbrand. At the next crossroads, we turn left into the road "Auf der Polter", which leads us after approx. 300 m to the right towards the forest. Before the Jagdhaus, we turn left onto a near-natural path that leads us to the Pflug. Continuing along natural paths in the forest, through a small quarry, we reach a refuge and cross "Niggenhuses Steinbruch". Caution is advised here, as archers sometimes use it as a training ground!We finally reach the small Marienkapelle on Heidenstraße via natural and gravel paths with wonderful views of Referinghausen. Following this old pilgrimage and trade route eastwards towards Oberschledorn, we reach the next Open Mind Places, the Himmelstropfen and then the Heidentempel.At the Heidentempel, the route follows the same path back along Heidenstraße and then turns right, continuing along a natural path through the forest downhill back to the village. Via the "Rickenweg" and "Auf der Polter" we return to the starting point at the small railway carriage.
Equipment
Sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for the weather.
Safty guidelines
The route is not suitable for baby carriages. Parts of the route run along steep, unpaved forest paths!
Take care at Niggenhuse's quarry: archers train here in summer! Please make yourself heard loudly if you notice training activities.
Current information about our forests - The bark beetle and its consequences
The forest owners are endeavoring to take the necessary measures in the forests and remove the damaged wood. However, due to the extent of the damage, this work cannot be completed in a short space of time. The clearing and reforestation of the damaged forest stands will therefore take a long time and sometimes lead to disruptions such as closures and detour in the forests. This must always be taken into account when visiting the forest.
We therefore appeal to everyone who cares about the forest:
- Understand that extensive forestry work is necessary in the current situation and that this is currently accompanying your forest experience.
- Be particularly attentive during your leisure activities and observe the prevailing instructions and any prohibitions
Please be considerate ...
Author Tip
Pausing at the sound of the sunset - lost in thought, your gaze wanders over the gently undulating landscape as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon.
Literture
OPEN MIND PLACES: Christoph Hessen Architects, ISBN-10 : 3946154638, ISBN-13 : 978-3946154631
Public transiot
- From Willingen: Bus R46 (RLG): Willingen-Düdinghausen / change to the R48 to Referinghausen
- From Winterberg: Bus R48 (RLG): Winterberg - Referinghausen - Düdinghausen
- From Korbach:Bus 550 (NVV): Korbach-Medebach / change to the R46 in the direction of Düdinghausen / change to the R48 in the direction of Referinghausen
- From Frankenberg (Eder): Bus 530 (NVV): Frankenberg-Lichtenfels-Medebach / change to the R46 in the direction of Düdinghausen / change to the R48 in the direction of Referinghausen
Getting there
- From the north: A7, A2, A33 to Wünnenberg-Haaren junction, B480 Brilon, Olsberg, direction Winterberg and then to Küstelberg, Deifeld, Referinghausen.
- From the west: A44 Dortmund-Kassel, exit at the Werl junction, A445 Meschede to Bestwig, Olsberg, direction Winterberg and then to Küstelberg, Deifeld, Referinghausen.
- From the Rhineland: A4 Cologne-Olpe to the Olpe junction, take the A45 towards Dortmund to the Olpe exit, B55 towards Lennestadt, B236 Schmallenberg, Winterberg and then to Küstelberg, Deifeld, Referinghausen.
- From the east: A44 Dortmund-Kassel to exit Wünnenberg-Haaren, B480 Brilon, Olsberg, direction Winterberg and then to Küstelberg, Deifeld, Referinghausen.
- From the south: A5 from Frankfurt to Gießen, A485/B3 exit Marburg, B252 Wetter, B236 Hallenberg-Winterberg and then to Küstelberg, Deifeld, Referinghausen.
Parking
Hikers' parking lot on the L872 (small railway carriage)