Winterberg High-Altitude Trail
Hiking the highest mountains in Sauerland, NRW
Hikers who wish to explore the area around Winterberg need to be in good condition to tackle the highest peaks in Sauerland.
The Winterberger Hochtour (Winterberg High-Altitude Trail) starts and finishes on the Kahler Asten mountain in NRW. In between, it crosses the highest peaks in Upper Sauerland, traverses valleys and takes in cultural highlights and unspoilt nature. Hikers on the approximately 82-kilometre tour can explore the source of the Lenne and North Rhine-Westphalia’s most extensive mountain heath in the Neuer Hagen nature reserve. Heather and grass, birch trees and pine trees, blueberry bushes and cranberry bushes ensure that this landscape is bursting with colour all year round. One particular site of interest is the source of the Hoppecke. The river emerges from this untouched spot to form a headwater swamp with many rare plants.
Blueberries and cranberries
Hikers can explore the diverse landscape of the Kahler Asten Nature Reserve around the Astenturm tower, which marks the start and end of the trail. The vegetation found here includes miniature pine and birch trees, heather, blueberries and cranberries. Visitors can take a four-kilometre heathland nature trail to see the source of the Lenne and other features.
360-degree panoramic view
Part of the Winterberg High-Altitude Trail leads along the ridge of the Rothaar mountains and past the mountain villages of Langewiese, Neuastenberg and Lenneplätze. This section gives hikers a breath-taking 360-degree panoramic view. Neuastenberg has an interesting attraction in the West German Winter Sports Museum, which is dedicated to skiing. A converted barn in Winterberg documents the 100-year history of winter sport in the region as well as the evolution of skis, which man first used 5,000 years ago.
The Winterberg High Altitude Trail has been certified with the “Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland” seal of quality by the German Hiking Association (DWV).
