Willingen-Usseln (U1)

Starting at the Uplandsteig hiking information board in Usseln, the U1 trail follows the same route as the Uplandsteig (valley variant). It initially passes between the sports field and the tourist information office and then ascends the zigzag path. The trail then continues along the hillside through the Lohwald forest and along the Diemel river, which is crossed at approximately kilometer 43,0 (of the valley variant).
At the top, on the northern side, leave the Uplandsteig trail to the right, then continue past the Emmet weekend cottage area and the biathlon stadium (Westphalia Olympic Training Center!) on your left until just before the B251 federal highway. Turn left here and descend, partly on a narrow path, to the Stryck district. In the valley, follow the Itter stream to the Mühlenkopf ski jump (the largest large ski jump in the world).
Then leave the valley and head uphill around the Hoher Pön. Once at the top, follow the border between Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, where you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views as far as the Ederberge mountains from the "Schöne Aussicht" (Beautiful View) shelter. Continue on the Uplandsteig trail until the next major crossroads at Hoher Pön/Auf'm Knoll.
Turn right here and follow the edge of the forest to a small parking area. Turn left there, but continue on the hiking trail (no cars allowed) along the state border to the "Graf Stolberg Hütte" (Count Stolberg Hut). Stop for refreshments or not? Behind the hut, turn left down to the valley and the bubbling Diemel spring, which was redesigned in 2016. After a possible rest, continue past the shelter and uphill for 200 meters. At the top, turn right and continue on the Uplandsteig trail – valley variant – to approximately kilometer 43,0. This is where the U1 trail ends.
To reach Usseln, either go straight ahead and directly into the village or – as on the way there – via the Uplandsteig trail and along the Diemel river back to the tourist information office or hiking information board.

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

www.willingen.de/wandern

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