Uplandsteig - THE Original -

Uplandsteig - A landscape dream

The Uplandsteig is a challenging hiking trail from 66 km lengthHe will take you around the community Willingen (Upland) and touches all 9 districtsThe topography of our landscape already suggests that we have to expect some steep climbs and descents along the route, especially in the first few kilometers. In the first 15 km alone, 450 m of the total 1.468 meters of altitude You'll find the mileage on the map and on the route itself. You'll notice that the landscape changes constantly throughout the hike. We walk through mixed forest, beech forest, fields, flowering meadows, marshlands, and high heaths. The beautiful views that await us along the route are beyond description; you simply have to experience them for yourself.

Kilometers 0 to 5
The official starting point of the Uplandsteig is the visitor center in WillingenFrom here, the trail heads downhill, over the Gehren Bridge, past the "Upland School," the smallest secondary school in Hesse. After approximately 300 meters, the trail turns left and leads through the Willingen spa gardens to Briloner Straße. Cross this road and walk to the right of Göbels Landhotel up the "Zum Treis" road to the Sonnenweg. You have already completed the first kilometer of the trail, and from here begins your "nature" experience, which accompanies you for the next 64 kilometers. Leave the Kurhotel Hochsauerland 2010 on your left and soon reach the Haselnussweg (600 m above sea level). Here, you will have your first beautiful view of Willingen, its mountains and the town's local mountain opposite, the Ettelsberg (838 m)The trail now runs relatively flat toward Schwalefeld. You'll experience the beauty of a beech forest, and after a good 2 kilometers, you'll reach the Cafe-Restaurant Fernblick (closed on Thursdays). Its specialty, "fresh waffles daily," attracts many hikers. From here, you can already see the Schwalefeld district deep in the valley. After about 350 meters, the trail leads you through a beech forest down into the Ittertal valley. (km 4)The Itter flows into the Aar at approx. km 9,5  - in the Diemelsee. Between km 4 and km 5 The Uplandsteig crosses the state road and leads you along the foot of the Burgring and partly along the banks of the Itter towards Schwalefeld.

Kilometers 5 to 10
Within the 5 km mark On the right side you will see the Sonnenhof, the parental home of the well-known and former cross-country skier, multiple Olympic participant, former successful national coach and current sports director of the Olympic training center Willingen/Winterberg, namely Jochen Behle. In front of the Cafe Waldesruh (closed on Mondays), the path turns sharply left and leads again, this time halfway up, along the Burgring through a tall spruce forest. After about 1 kilometer, a steep hiking trail: turn right here, up into the saddle between Burgring and Hegeberg. A shelter and a bench invite you to linger at the end of this climb. Here, too, you should enjoy the beautiful view of Schwalefeld, the surrounding mountains, and down into the Aar Valley. km 7,5 you will reach a historical site, the legendary SchwalenburgToday, only the three circular ramparts remain, with a total length of 1.659 meters. From the small observation tower located in the middle rampart, one has a good overview of this mighty complex. On the outer rampart, you leave the prehistoric fortifications and begin the descent into the Aar valley. Now, across open fields, you reach the valley. Between km 9 and km 10 Refresh your tired feet in the water treading pool, before another steep climb awaits you, leading up the Franconian Path to Rattlar. This path takes its name from history. Charlemagne is said to have marched through here with his army in 772 to destroy the Eresburg Castle near Obermarsberg. But it remained intact.

Kilometers 10 to 15
After a strenuous climb and once you've left the forest, you can recover from your exertions in the "Fratpfanne" (Bratpan). The Bratpfanne is a small seating area located below the left of the path. The name was coined decades ago by guests of Rattlar because in this sheltered location, the sun burned so hotly from the sky that you felt like you were roasting. Further on, the open fields offer various views of the highest village in the Upland, as well as of the Hermannsberg, which lies directly in front of you. According to legend, Hermann the Cheruscan secretly met here with his future wife Thusnelda, the daughter of the Roman-friendly Prince Segestes, who is said to have lived at Schwalenburg Castle. However, this legend lacks any scientific basis. On the right, you can see two production facilities of the wood and plastics processing industry. Behind a barn, the path turns left and leads past the sports field. Anyone feeling hungry or thirsty should fortify themselves for the coming kilometers at the village's only inn ("Schäfer," closed Tuesdays), as the next opportunity for refreshments is another 12 kilometers in the Eimelrod Dorf district. After the sports field, turn left and then right again after a few meters. The route now leads you up a ridge with magnificent panoramic views. (604 m above sea level)before descending into the Dommel Valley (506 m above sea level)Passing the old Dommelmühle, whose first documented mention dates back to 1566 (now inhabited), you will soon face the next climb, up to the Dommelhöfen (635 m above sea level)Past some weekend cottages hidden in the forest, the trail leads upwards through a beautiful beech forest. Once you reach the farms, simply leave the path and turn left up to the Dommelturm. (726 m above sea level)This detour will offer a unique panoramic view into the Sauerland and the Waldecker Land You've now hiked what is surely the most difficult and challenging section of the Uplandsteig. So, "Cheer up!"

Kilometers 15 to 20
Although the remaining 51 kilometers aren't exactly flat, the climbs aren't as steep. From the Dommelhöfen farms, you follow the tarmac road to the county road, which you cross. Now the landscape changes dramatically. While the previous stretch was dominated by mixed and spruce forests, it's now primarily meadows and fields that make up the landscape, rewarding hikers with magnificent views. Your eyes can get used to the next 2 kilometers. Shortly after km 19 the path turns right. A shelter invites you to linger, and in the distance you can see the DiemelseeAfter a possible rest, follow the field path downhill to the district of Hemmighausen.

Kilometers 20 to 25
You can reach the small Upland village between km 21 and km 22. The predominantly agricultural village, like Eimelrod and the neighboring Deisfeld, was once a Hessian enclave. Although the villages were located in the Waldecker Land, however, did not belong to the sphere of influence of the Waldeck rulers. It was not until 1929 that the parish of Eimelrod returned to where it had always belonged – to Waldeck. First in Hemmighausen, you cross the Diemel River, after which the Diemelsee At the village community center, walk right up the cobbled village street for about 100 meters, then turn left onto the old school path. This is the path that Hemmighausen students used to take to attend school in Eimelrod. This path was cleared especially for the Uplandsteig. A short, steep climb takes you up to the connecting road between the two Willingen districts. Eimelrod itself is bypassed on farm roads down to the Mülmecke valley. (466 m above sea level)If you still want to stop for a bite to eat, you are welcome. Inns ("Sauer" and "Zur Zweere") and small restaurants are not far away in the village. Back on the U-steig, follow the stream for a short while, cross it, and walk in a wide arc up to the Bockelau, where km 25 A small shelter invites you to rest. You will be rewarded for the climb with beautiful views.

Kilometers 25 to 30
And now we continue down into the valley of the Neerdar. This small river also gave its name to the town of Neerdar. On the way there, shortly after km 26 the railway line, the Willingen with Korbach and was reopened in 2004. In Neerdar, you can refresh yourself at the Gasthof Kiel (closed on Wednesdays). Also worth seeing is the restored church, whose old parts date back to the beginning of the 13th century. Behind the small Neerdar bridge, turn right, walk along the main road for 100 meters, cross it, and then turn left into the street "Zur Padbeck." There, pass the village community center and then, after 20 meters, climb up to the right. A field path soon takes you back into a forest. Here, turn left and walk along the edge towards Bömighausen. You will reach this district after about 2 kilometers. The Uplandsteig trail does not lead directly into the village, but turns off shortly after km 29 Turn right and continue slightly uphill above a holiday village. At the end of this village, a staircase on the left leads down into a small valley. Once there, cross the road, pass through a small wooded area, and after just a few meters, you'll see the charming village of Bömighausen on your left. So if you're hungry or thirsty, please turn here (the Gasthof Ritter in the village center is open except on Wednesdays).

Kilometers 30 to 37
Shortly before  km 31 The U-Bahn continues half-right and slightly uphill. Above a small settlement of "Nurdach-Häusern" (roof houses), at km 32, you will reach a small bathing lake, which invites you to linger or even to take a short swim. Here you also have the lowest point your hike (420 m above sea level)Now begins a section of approximately 15 kilometers, which is almost constantly uphill. But don't worry, the gradients aren't as extreme as the first few kilometers. Instead, it's a gradual climb with many flat sections. First, turn sharply right at the lake and hike through a small valley toward Welleringhausen. At the next intersection, turn right again. Here, follow the paved road for about 200 meters, then turn left toward the edge of the forest. After a beautiful kilometer, you have to descend left into the valley, cross the torrent, and then turn left/right up into the forest on the Grotenberg. Caution: the path changes direction several times. Emerging from the other side of the forest at about km 35,5, you reach one of the most beautiful views of the Uplandsteig. Because of the rare plants that still occur here (e.g., the golden thistle), the entire slope has been declared a nature reserve. A small shelter, located directly on the path, invites you to take a look at the vast landscape. On a clear day, you can see the tower on the "Hohen Gras" near Kassel, the "Peterskopf" on the Edersee, and the converter on the "Wüstegarten" in the Kellerwald forest. The Georg-Viktor-Tower greets you from the Eisenberg (near Korbach) and the wind turbines near Gembeck spin in the wind. The route now continues along the slope and turns left down to the county road.

Kilometers 37 to 44
Turn right and follow the county road for about 100 meters, then turn at km 37 Turn left onto a field path. After another 200 meters, the Uplandsteig splits: If you continue straight ahead, after about 3,5 kilometers you will reach Usseln via the so-called valley variant through the Ohl. The mountain variant, however, turns left there, and you will experience "pure nature" for about 28 kilometers until just before the destination. The next refreshment stop is only after about 18 kilometers at km 56, at the Hochheidehütte. Behind km 44 Both routes meet again near the Diemelquelle. So, of course, you can also follow the mountain route to Usseln.

    Mountain variant km 37,3 - km 44,6:

At the junction, keep left and bypass the wooded hill until you reach the country road that connects Düdinghausen and Usseln. Turn right there and after about 200 meters, left again, where you will soon reach a huge forest area, which you will only reach at km 42 only for a short time. When you emerge from the forest here, you are treated to a stunning view far into the countryside (incidentally, from km 37,0 to km 40,8 you are in North Rhine-Westphalia, thus crossing the border between the neighboring state and Hesse twice). The trail now leads up to the high plateau of the Kahler Pön to one of the many high heaths along the Uplandsteig. These biotopes, rare in Europe, have also been designated as nature reserves. km 42,5 Behind the summit cross, the Uplandsteig leaves the rustic heath and you hike across the Pön lift's ski slope toward the "Graf Stolberg Hütte," from where you turn right at the boundary stone and descend to the Diemelquelle spring. Above the newly redesigned Diemelquelle spring, a narrow path leads to the point where the mountain and valley sections rejoin.

    Valley variant km 37,3 - km 44,1:

If you choose the valley route, head straight ahead on the field path on a level surface through a meadow valley before reaching a small wooded area after about 1 km, which you walk through along the edge. You will soon see the small house "Im Ohl" on the left. Here the path turns right, leads you over the Neerdar, and then immediately turns left again. In the valley, you now walk uphill for 2 kilometers towards Usseln. This path is lined with many bushes and offers welcome shade in the sunshine. Once at the top, turn right, cross the railway bridge, and then immediately left again down into the village. Here you will find numerous hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants where you can fortify yourself or find accommodation for the night. A visit to the unique Milk Museum, which the path takes you directly past, is also highly recommended. In the center of the village, the path turns left and takes you along Sportstraße up to the Diemeltal valley. Directly at the sports field you will also find the tourist information office, where you can get help with any questions you may have. The trail continues on a narrow path through the Lohwald forest, then past meadows, and changes at km 43 right/left to a parallel path, where after another kilometer in the forest above the Diemelquelle you reach the mountain variant of the Uplandsteig  (at km 44,6) meets.

Kilometers 44 to 50
At the Diemelquelle at about km 44,4 A shelter with a newly designed seating area invites you to rest and have a picnic. Next to the shelter, the Uplandsteig continues, and a path takes you to a wide hiking trail (where the mountain/valley trails meet), which you follow to the left. Slightly uphill through mixed forest, you soon reach a crossroads where five trails converge (Auf'm Knoll). Cross this crossroads and then reach km 46  The "Schöne Aussicht" (Beautiful View). The name doesn't promise too much: You'll enjoy beautiful views to the south, far into North Rhine-Westphalia. Up to km 52, the Uplandsteig now runs exclusively through this state. At the next intersection, the trail turns left and leads through spruce and deciduous forest until you emerge from the forest and reach a farm track. Here, the trail continues uphill to the right, along the Krutenberg. Once again, stunningly beautiful views between km 47 and km 49, in suitable weather all the way to the Taunus. Past mountain meadows and through fir forest, the trail turns after 500 m and shortly before km 49 Turn left, continue for about 50 meters through the forest and then continue right downhill. km 49,4 You will reach the Hessian border again. But be careful: very swampy areas characterise this section of the route, as you are now in one of the source areas of the Itter, the small river that flows through Willingen Furthermore, the Uplandsteig touches the nature reserve “Alter Hagen”, which extends over large parts of the Strycktal towards Willingen Here you will find many rare plant and animal species worth protecting, nutrient-poor moors and moorland meadows, birch and alder woodlands, and orchid-rich marsh meadows. Once you have successfully left these wet areas and paths, you will find km 50,4 at a major intersection on the Rothaarsteig, a 154 km long hiking trail that also has a certification, leading from Brilon to Dillenburg. At this crossroads – on the Hillekopf – a mountain hut with a new table invites you to rest. Then continue north. The Uplandsteig and Rothaarsteig trails now follow the same route for the next 9,5 km. Whether it will all stay this beautiful remains to be seen: certain planners are planning wind turbines high up on the Krutenberg!

Kilometers 50 to 55
On the following section, only a few meters of altitude must be overcome, because the Uplandsteig now runs on a ridge between 740 m above sea level and 843 m above sea level For the next few kilometers, you can enjoy a beautiful, relatively flat hiking trail, which initially leads downhill through dense spruce forest to the main access road to Hildfeld. There, however, turn right uphill and then immediately left again, continuing along the border between Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia towards Hochheide. Along the way, you will repeatedly come across historical boundary stones that mark the border between the Electorate of Cologne's Sauerland and the Waldecker Land Soon you will reach the "Streit", sometimes also called "Scheid", a place with spacious seating areas and a shelter. Here at km 53 Turning left, you will also find the entrance to one of the region's most beautiful nature reserves: Europe's highest-altitude heathland! Incidentally, this is a favorite area for cross-country skiers in winter, with wonderful trails inviting all ski enthusiasts on both sides of the border. Now, however, pass the Hoppecke spring, then turn right from the main path onto a narrower path through "Erika." Enjoy the next kilometer of this high heathland, which is also part of the "Alter Hagen" nature reserve. Whatever the season! Of course, it's even more wonderful in July and August, when the "regina vulgaris" blooms and the blueberries ripen. Try the delicious fruits :-)! But soon you'll see a cross on your left, so turn off at the intersection and follow this point on the Clemensberg (838 m) The summit cross not only marks the highest point on the Hochheide, but from there you can enjoy beautiful views far into the Sauerland, the land of 1000 mountains (or is that 2.731?). Below the cross is the Hildfeld quarry, where diabase, a very hard rock, is mined. Production here is around 3.000 tons daily!

Kilometers 55 to 60

A short, steep descent leads you through the nature reserve to the next stop at the nearby Hochheidehütte. After a rest, you finally leave the Hochheide in the direction of Burbecker Platz and Langenberg, and after a short while you pass a charming mountain meadow, also called "Sauheide." On this section, you remain on the ridge and therefore have only slight inclines to overcome. After walking through a densely wooded fir forest (or was it spruce?), you reach km 58 the "Oberer Burbecker Platz", turn right there. A small climb follows and leads through the forest again. Then turn left/right and you will reach km 58,5 the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Langenberg (843 m above sea level) and thus the highest point of your hike. In the past, tall spruce forests blocked any distant views here. Since "Kyrill" swept across the Sauerland in January 2007, there has been a partly clear view to the north, but partly the view is again overgrown. From now on, it's all downhill: The following section - up to km 60 at the execution site - impresses with its natural, partly wet path and brings you on narrow paths ever closer to the destination. Execution site (760 m high) Once you arrive, you'll find yourself at a historic site. As the name suggests, this was once a place where courts were held over possible border disputes. Yes, people were sentenced, but no one was executed.

Kilometers 60 to 66

At this historic site, turn right, then after about 100 m left again onto a wide forest path. After 1 km, you will cross the Sonnenlift slope, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of the World Cup venue. Willingen (Upland). And then continue down to Ritzhagen. There you will reach km 62 the second ski lift on your hike, the new 6-seater Ritzhagen lift.      
Now you're almost there. A short left turn downhill into the valley of the neighboring Wettesteinbicke, and then down to km 64 you reach the first houses of WillingenVarious restaurants along the last few meters invite you to reward yourself for the challenging hike with a good drink or a delicious meal. Those who are more resilient can also try out the summer toboggan run or the go-kart track on the Ritzhagen slope, all close to the Uplandsteig. Also along the way are the glassblowing workshop and the mountain rescue service, as well as a climbing hall (with bouldering and indoor archery). How about trying the 12-meter-high climbing wall? On the way to the visitor center and Uplandsteig hiking sign, you will immediately see the cable car to the Ettelsberg, as well as the only industrial building in town, where bathroom furniture is manufactured. No matter how you tackle the Uplandsteig, whether in sections or as a marathon, with this multitude of beautiful views, it will surely leave enough impressions on you. Afterward, you can be proud of having completed challenging 66 km (“Sixtysix Hiking Route”) but also offers you quiet moments. Now immerse yourself in the diverse range of activities that Willingen in the Upland has to offer.

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

 By car via the B251 to Willingen (Upland), car access to the parking lot at the visitor center, Am Hagen 10, 34508 Willingen (Upland)

Free parking at the visitor center/lagoon pool

Bus/train to train station Willingen, 10 minutes walk to starting point at the visitor center

Certified as a quality hiking trail by the German Hiking Association.

www.willingen.de/uplandsteig

The entire Uplandsteig can be easily completed in 3 day tours (3 x 22 km).

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