Special nature highlights
We show you the best tips for excursions with unique natural highlights!
The Alme Mühlental offers a place for adventure and relaxation. Here, in the largest spring area in the Sauerland, it bubbles mystically at every corner. 104 springs form rising bubbles in the crystal-clear water. You can hear birdsong, rustling trees and bubbling springs. It is not for nothing that this place is one of the 42 Sauerland-Seelenorte. The Alme circular trail in the spring area is largely barrier-free and invites you to take a relaxing walk. It leads along green trees and there are plenty of benches to relax and enjoy. Again and again, the Alme flashes in the reflection of the sun a few meters below the path. The flora and fauna can be admired along the way as you pass the spring lake. It's worth trying the clear water of the Alme for refreshment. For the more adventurous, we recommend a climb to the Uhusfelsen, a stone rock that stands above the valley and rewards the ascent with a sweeping view into the distance and across the valley.
Arriving in the small village of Wasserfall near Bestwig, the hike to the Plästerlegge, the only natural waterfall in NRW, begins. The narrow path leads along mosses and lichens over wooden steps through a green mixed forest. Once you reach your destination, you are greeted by an impressive natural spectacle. The Plästerlegge falls about 20 meters, splashing and bubbling from a rocky outcrop into the depths. There is a bench where you can take a break. Insider tip: It is best to visit the waterfall after a few rainy days. If it has been dry for a long time, it may have dried out or be less powerful. The Plästerlegge is also worth a visit in winter. At this time of year, the water freezes impressively to ice.
In the Glindfeld forest near Medebach, you will find a total of 38 Douglas firs that are over 120 years old. With a height of up to 63 meters, they are the tallest living things in the Sauerland. Even the surrounding beech, spruce and silver fir trees look tiny among these imposing giants. The Douglas firs with their long trunks reaching up to the sky radiate a sense of calm and security. This is another reason why they are among the Sauerland-Seelenorte and are definitely worth a trip for nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet!
Schmalah See is also one of the 42 Sauerland-Seelenorte and is located not far from the historic Hanseatic town of Brilon. Also known as Silbersee, the lake is a popular hiking destination due to its beautiful location. Conveniently, the "Schmalahtal-Rundweg" hiking trail, marked with the B1 sign, leads directly past the lake. From the Feuereiche on the Rothaarsteig, you can reach the lake via the lower forest path after crossing the country road. Perfect for a relaxing summer's day in the midst of green nature with crystal-clear water.
The Winterberg gorge and bridge trail runs for 4.1 kilometers through the impressive Helletal valley in the middle of the town of Winterberg. It leads through a dense forest, over narrow paths and numerous bridges. Time and again you can catch a glimpse of the Helle, which flows through the narrow valley a little further down. Once you reach the small lake, there are places to sit and take a breather on the shore. From there, there are two ways back. On the one hand, you can hike back to the starting point, and on the other to a large children's playground. The hiking trail is well signposted and is one of the Rothaarsteig audio trails. There are information boards with a QR code along the entire route. If you scan this, you can find out exciting information about the flora and fauna.
The Ebbegebirge is an almost completely forested and almost unpopulated mountain range between Meinerzhagen in the west and Attendorn in the east. The landscape is characterized by dark spruce and stream-side swamp forests along crystal-clear streams. Near-natural deciduous forests are scattered in between. However, the natural jewels of the Ebbegebirge are the diverse moors. The climate up there is harsh, rainy and favorable for moor development. Compared to lowland moors, the moors of the Ebbe Mountains are rather small and are often found on slopes. Their diversity and their unique flora and fauna are the reason for their nationwide natural history significance. Perfect for an excursion!
Hochheide:
The high heath areas in the Sauerland offer a particularly tasty excursion destination from July: because that's when the blueberries and cranberries are ripe! The little blue and red fruits are everywhere. Anyone can pick and eat them. A trip there can be combined with a hike or a bike ride. Besides, it's worth staying alert and looking around a bit. The Hochheide have a fascinating world of plants and animals to offer. But it's not just at this time of year that a trip to the largest area of high heath in northern Germany is worthwhile. In late summer, the landscape is transformed into a sea of purple colors.
The Woeste is a nature reserve and is located in the lowlands of the Ahse between the Bad Sassendorf districts of Bettinghausen and Ostinghausen. Geologists estimate the Woeste fens to be around 10,000 years old. The landscape there is characterized by a special diversity. Open water areas, near-natural stream areas, peat bogs, sedge meadows, large reed beds, wet meadows and marshes, oat meadows, arable land and copses alternate here and offer natural excursion fun with lots of highlights to discover.
