View into the country Kahle Pön (Rothaarsteig trail and quality tour)

First, walk 300 meters along the asphalt – please – to the "Graf Stolberg Hütte." Shortly after the hut, turn left, descend about 250 meters, and before the connecting road, turn right again into the forest. A quick tip: the Diemelquelle spring is only 80 meters beyond the road, but it's worth the effort! Then back to the forest and now diagonally uphill to the main trail, the Uplandsteig. We follow this: first on a narrow path through sparse forest, then we cross the "Am Pön" ski slope. Soon, we continue on velvety paths to the summit cross. From here, there are magnificent views of Usseln and the surrounding Upland mountains. In August and September, the heather blooms – simply stunning!

The trail leads us gently downhill along another small path, past the barbecue area, until we secretly cross the border into North Rhine-Westphalia. From here, it climbs again toward Spitzbubenbusch. It's a strange name. So, long ago, traders plied their trade at this crossroads. Only a few more steps to Mount Kalied (745 m). Rest and enjoy the wonderful view! "lied" means steep slope, and "Ka" means bare. And both together = beautiful views, as the title suggests.

From Kalied, past the meadow and downhill through a beech forest. (Caution: "Wild boar" signs indicate the presence of this species.) Turn right in a dip. The path narrows until the turning point and is designated as a nature trail. From here, beautiful views along the Hesse/North Rhine-Westphalia border accompany us. Within sight of the Graf Stolberg Hut, before the aforementioned turnoff, we see a boundary stone, ancient from 1769! 

But now an important decision: Should we stop at the rustic hut, rest here, or continue? It's only 300 meters to the car park, or our destination, or do we hike backwards because it was so beautiful; the quality tour is only 6,9 km long.

Sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, backpack provisions and sufficient fluids (water, tea) are recommended.

By car via the B251 to Willingen (Upland) district of Usseln. In the village of B 251 KorbachTurn onto "Zur Heide" (next to the Upländer Bauernmolkerei dairy), pass under the railway tunnel, and past the Diemelquelle (source of the Diemel River) towards Titmaringhausen. From the underpass, continue for approximately 2,1 km to the "Auf'm Knoll" hiking car park. Follow the signs for "Graf Stolberg Hütte" and "Diemelquelle."

Hiking car park "Auf`m Knoll" or below the "Graf Stolberg Hütte" or hiking car park at the Diemelquelle.

www.willingen.de/wandern

Diverse and beautiful, especially during the heather blossom season in August/September. Then the blueberries also tempt us to a special treat.

hiking map Willingen/Diemelsee & Trekkingpark Sauerland, scale 1:25.000, mr-kartographie, Gotha, ISBN 978-3-86636-923-8