Walks

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description.  Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore.  The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk).  Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

Brits know about this place only because the Eder Reservoir was one – and scenically the most dramatic – of the targets of the wartime Dambuster raids. However, the reservoir itself is quite long, following the winding course of the river valley, and at low water is barely visible on this walk

The site, open all year, is pleasant, with views from several of the pitches over a small lake lying between the river and the road. There is a short-stay area just outside the main entrance to the site. When we visited in November 2019 major works were in hand to refurbish one of the toilet blocks. The various family-friendly facilities probably make this a very busy site in high season. The staff were welcoming and helpful.

From the site, cross the B252 road to the National Park Visitor centre, A, and take the walk towards Hagenstein (marked UE for Urwaldsteig Edersee on the recommended map), for a short distance then at B take a turn to the left, (marked for the Hagensteinroute on the recommended map), on an undulating path that gradually leads up the hill towards Himmelsbreite, C. Near the top of the hill the place begins to live up to its name, with good views in most directions and especially towards the North.

Several paths join here and there is a small car park. A sign towards the Youth Camp leads gently and then steeply downhill along a farm track, ending at the camp, E. This is by the bank of the Eder River but at low water the river itself is barely visible across low meadows. Turn left at E to follow the quiet country road along the river/reservoir bank round below the village of Harbshausen. At point F, roughly opposite the landing stage for lake cruisers (when the water level allows), there is a choice: either continue at low level to the bridge at G, and return home along the B252; or take a steep path up to the left which leads over the hill back to the Visitor Centre at A and thence to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

Brits know about this place only because the Eder Reservoir was one – and scenically the most dramatic – of the targets of the wartime Dambuster raids. However, the reservoir itself is quite long, following the winding course of the river valley, and at low water is barely visible on this walk.

The site, open all year, is pleasant, with views from several of the pitches over a small lake lying between the river and the road. There is a short-stay area just outside the main entrance to the site. When we visited in November 2019 major works were in hand to refurbish one of the toilet blocks. The various family-friendly facilities probably make this a very busy site in high season. The staff were welcoming and helpful.

Within the site, walk North along the path alongside the river as it flows down into the reservoir. After passing campsite maintenance areas the path rises to join the B252 a few yards from the bridges at G. Leave the B252, taking the left turn onto the side road and cross the river and the railway. Turn left to take the L3084 minor road up the hill back along the other side of the river, rising above the first few houses until a driveway drops down through woodland to the last house. Walk past it, down a farm track through woodland and to the edge of meadows by the river. Keep to this track (marked He 5 and K3 on the recommended map), emerging at Schmittlotheim railway station, H.

Cross the river by the station, passing under the B252 into the village. We visited out of season, but the local shop was open (and helpful). Continue up the main village street, L3085, towards Altenlotheim and where the houses peter out, roughly opposite the cemetery, make a sharp left hand turn onto a path that leads to Hagestein. The path is part of the Kellerwaldsteig (marked K on the recommended map). The path climbs steadily, gradually providing views of the river valley, culminating in the viewpoint at Hagestein itself. Here there is a choice; a fairly steep path ‘direct’ to the Visitor Centre or a gentler climb to Himmelsbreite, C. We chose the ‘soft option’, the reverse of part of Walk Edersee 1, and were glad to find the Visitor Centre still serving full meals quite late in the afternoon.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

To start a conversation, tell people that you are going on a walking tour near the Ruhr! Even Brits with little knowledge of Germany know that is the industrial heart of the country. What too few people realise is that, just East of there, you will find the Sauerland, a region of low hills with many rivers and reservoirs, within a day’s drive from Hook of Holland and well worth a visit for a few days.

The Knaus site is large (475 pitches) and well appointed. If staying only one night, try the Stellplätze [motorhome pitches] at the entrance, which lie outside the barrier. You can still use all the facilities.

This is basically just a walk round the reservoir. From the site, walk north to the bridge and causeway separating the upper part of the reservoir from the lower main part. Cross the bridge and at the far end cross the main road, B55. A few yards to the left at A the path, marked A8 on the recommended map, rises gently but steadily towards the North-eastern end of the landing strip (hidden from the path below) to meet the X22 long distance path at B. Turn right and continue to climb gradually, with Ahmberg and Schatenberg on your left and good views opening up to your right over the reservoir. At C you have a choice and can turn left on the A3 on a high level path towards Berghausen but the shorter route is to bear right and head down the hill, crossing the B55 and reach the shore of the reservoir.

Continue along the shore, past the point at D where the ferry (see below) takes on passengers, to reach the Northern end of the dam. We would have liked coffee but found no service at the rather swish tennis clubhouse. However, just a little further on we enjoyed a very pleasant meal and rest, served by a friendly non-German couple.

From here the path, A8 on the recommended map, simply follows the bank of the reservoir all the way back to bridge/causeway and thence to the site.

In season, a motor launch/bike ferry plies its trade along the reservoir: see Personenschifffahrt Hennesee, and calls in on request at an inlet half way back to the site, E, and again nearer the bridge.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

To start a conversation, tell people that you are going on a walking tour near the Ruhr! Even Brits with little knowledge of Germany know that is the industrial heart of the country. What too few people realise is that, just East of there, you will find the Sauerland, a region of low hills with many rivers and reservoirs, within a day’s drive from Hook of Holland and well worth a visit for a few days.

The Knaus site is large (475 pitches) and well appointed. If staying only one night, try the Stellplätze [motorhome pitches] at the entrance, which lie outside the barrier. You can still use all the facilities and need not worry about such things as Mittagspause [the time in the middle of the day when German site barriers are often closed to traffic].

From the site entrance turn left up the hill. The path winds to the left (slightly north of East) up to a ‘saddle’ with Breite hill on your left and Hensket to the South on your right. Near the top a path joins from the right, marked A 2 on the recommended map. Continue through the hamlet of Horbach past the church towards Remblinghausen. Cross the Horbach stream to point F.

For the shorter version of the walk, turn left on the A1/A2 down to the reservoir at G. Turn left and follow the shoreline home, see below.

For the longer walk, continue to Remblinghausen and to the Baroque church there. Turn left by the church and take the walk marked A1 on the recommended map through Lüttigkeit, crossing the A3 path to reach Vellinghausen. Take the X23 path down to the shore of the reservoir at E. When we visited in 2015 the last part of the path was indistinct, having been trampled by cattle, but others showed us the way.

From here simply turn left and follow the shoreline, past point G on the shorter walk, back to the Eastern end of the bridge that separates the upper part of the reservoir from the main area. From there the road leads straight up the hill back to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

Like the Eder Reservoir (qv), Brits know about this place only because the Möhne Reservoir was one of the targets of the Dambuster raids. The third target, Sorpe Reservoir, lies only a few miles to the South. To be remembered only for that connection with war is a great shame: the low hills and many inlets on the shores of this reservoir offer opportunities for good, long walks and short strolls.

Whilst in the area, try to pull in a visit to the town of Soest. There is a large car park on the edge of town but not far from the station where there is ample room for a campervan to stop. Warendorf, nearby, is also worth a brief stop.

This medium-sized campsite (190 pitches) is well set up for watersports visitors. The facilities are adequate but not palatial. One niggle is that the shoreside pitches do not enjoy wide views because of tree planting. The area probably gets very busy in high season.

You cannot get lost on this walk. Leave the site by the main entrance and turn left. There is a path alongside the road, which can be busy in season. Follow the shore of the reservoir East, then at A take the footbridge over the water towards Körbecke, a resort that also has a campsite and watersports facilities. At the end of the bridge turn left and follow the shore East, eventually joining a road at the edge of Delecke village. Turn left at the roundabout and recross the water by the road bridge, the Delecker Brücke. From the southern end of the Delecker Brücke at B avoid the traffic by taking the footpath, A7 on the recommended map, back to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

Like the Eder Reservoir (qv), Brits know about this place only because the Möhne Reservoir was one of the targets of the Dambuster raids. The third target, Sorpe Reservoir, lies only a few miles to the South. To be remembered only for that connection with war is a great shame: the low hills and many inlets on the shores of this reservoir offer opportunities for good, long walks and short strolls.

Whilst in the area, try to pull in a visit to the town of Soest. There is a large carpark on the edge of town but not far from the station where there is ample room for a campervan to stop. Warendorf, nearby, is also worth a brief stop.

This medium-sized campsite (190 pitches) is well set up for watersports visitors. The facilities are adequate but not palatial. One niggle is that the shoreside pitches do not enjoy wide views because of tree planting. The area probably gets very busy in high season.

From the site entrance walk South alongside the B229, turning left by the Torhaus. Take the Seeweg/Klangpfad, the path (A5 on the recommended map) that runs South from the Torhaus and then turns left along the bank of the Hevesee. This area is known as the Klangwald and along the path are installations designed to make interesting sounds.

Eventually the path reaches the former hunting lodge at St Meinolf, point C. This is now private, so no longer offering refreshment. Several paths cross here. Take the A5 path to Wilhelmsruh, a quiet leisure development served by Franzi’s, a pleasant restaurant at D.

Now head roughly north-west up the Neuhäusher Kirchweg, a path once used by the faithful of that area who had no local place of worship. It runs fairly straight through the woods to reach the main path, the Rennweg, at E. Here turn left and follow the Rennweg back, eventually, to the Torhaus. On your right are many points where paths come up from the southern shore of the Möhnesee. If you have time to spare, take one of them down to the shore and return to the site that way. If you stay on the Rennweg you should pass a feature not shown on the recommended map (maybe they didn’t pay to be included?), a wooden viewing tower that provides panoramic views over the reservoir.

From the Torhaus it is only a few steps back to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

Like the Eder Reservoir (qv), Brits know about this place only because the Möhne Reservoir was one of the targets of the Dambuster raids. The third target, Sorpe Reservoir, lies only a few miles to the South. To be remembered only for that connection with war is a great shame: the low hills and many inlets on the shores of this reservoir offer opportunities for good, long walks and short strolls.

Whilst in the area, try to pull in a visit to the town of Soest. There is a large carpark on the edge of town but not far from the station where there is ample room for a campervan to stop. Warendorf, nearby, is also worth a brief stop.

This medium-sized campsite (190 pitches) is well set up for watersports visitors. The facilities are adequate but not palatial. One niggle is that the shoreside pitches do not enjoy wide views because of tree planting. The area probably gets very busy in high season.

This is an easy short walk but offers a few fine views over the reservoir. From the site entrance cross the B229 and take the A 7 path on the recommended map to the Southern end, B, of the Delecker Brücke, the bridge over the reservoir. Do not go over the bridge. Instead take the A7 past the kiosk and along the shore. Follow it round to point G, where the reservoir pleasure steamer calls in season. Continue round the Heversberg peninsula, arriving at the B229 opposite the Torhaus. Turn left along the side of B229 to return to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

The River Werra once formed part of the border between East and West Germany, as will be seen on two of these walks, so lies further into Germany than most Brits usually venture, but worth it. We found Camping Oase Wahlhausen to be a really good base for several pleasant walks. We were made welcome and chose a pitch at the highest part of the site that gave us almost uninterrupted views across the valley, with great sunsets over the hills. The site is on wide terraces, with long-stay campers naturally enjoying the best views over the river. A meadow by the river bank hosts tents, especially for canoeists who use the landing stage to pause here overnight on their tours of the river.

From the site take the road South towards Allendorf, turning left at A to climb a farm track. Heierkopf hill is on your left as you climb and soon you are aware that the track is formed from concrete blocks that rise steeply, turning left to bring you almost to the top of the hill, where a monument reminds you that the Iron Curtain border was here. The path rises, but less steeply, to take you past a section of reconstructed Iron Curtain and to the former control centre that now houses the Grenzmuseum. On the way you will see the ‘hole in the wall’ through which East Germans would pass on their way to spy on the West. No doubt the authorities raked the sand strip clean to obliterate their tracks.

The Border Museum is worth a visit. Notable among the exhibits, which include Trabis, two rather Spartan helicopters and ordnance recalling that the US Army once occupied this land, are propaganda leaflets dropped in the later stages of the Second World War. One leaflet, in German but signed by ‘Bomber’ Harris, starts by praising the skill of German fighter pilots but goes on to tell local residents that Germany has lost many of its pilots and aircraft and that the Allies cannot forget the damage done to Warsaw, Coventry and London. They will be coming in force, by night and by day, to bomb Germany.

Leave the museum and head along the border road towards Sickenberg, B. We had hoped to get a meal at the Hof here but were disappointed, so retraced our steps to point B and took the country road down to the road from Dietzenrode, C, there turning left to Wahlhausen, passing the church, D, and back to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

The River Werra once formed part of the border between East and West Germany, as will be seen on two of these walks, so is further into Germany than most Brits usually venture, but worth it. We found Camping Oase Wahlhausen to be a really good base for several pleasant walks. We were made welcome and chose a pitch at the highest part of the site that gave us almost uninterrupted views across the valley, with great sunsets over the hills. The site is on wide terraces, with long-stay campers naturally enjoying the best views over the river. A meadow by the river bank hosts tents, especially from canoeists who use the landing stage to pause here overnight on their tours of the river.

Take the country road to Wahlhausen, turning left at the church D to pick up the cycle path to Lindewerra. Part way along is a beautifully constructed wooden shelter, built by local people with EU funding for the materials. You can keep to the path all the way to the village but at point E the path runs by the road and a shorter walk would take you to Lindewerra slightly more quickly. Either way, pause at F to admire the scenery by the bridge over the river, then call in at the Stockmachermuseum [Walking Stick Factory and Museum] to examine the walking sticks and no doubt to sample the Kaffee und Kuchen (so beloved of Germans of ample stature).

Leaving Lindewerra on the Wahlhausen road a farm track leads off to the left at G. In truth, this flatters to deceive. As you reach a ‘saddle’ between the Trimberg on your right and the Dorfberg to your left an old sign tells you the distance back to Wahlhausen, tempting you to take a minor path on the right down through the woods. You are very close, in horizontal plane, to the road at point E but (as we found) it is unwise to descend through the wood to the road. The path is steep and the final 8-foot steep bank at the roadside has been blocked off, no doubt as a safety feature to stop people from stumbling down onto the road in front of traffic, because there is no footpath on that side of the road. Instead you should keep to the marked path past the Pfeillietenhűtte; or simply avoid the path at G and go back by the cycle path.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

The River Werra once formed part of the border between East and West Germany, as will be seen on two of these walks, so is further into Germany than most Brits usually venture but well worth it. The region is famous for the walking around the Hoher Meissner.

We found Camping Oase Wahlhausen to be a really good base for several pleasant walks. We were made welcome and chose a pitch at the highest part of the site that gave us almost uninterrupted views across the valley, with great sunsets over the hills. The site is on wide terraces, with long-stay campers naturally enjoying the best views over the river. A meadow by the river bank hosts tents, especially from canoeists who use the landing stage to pause here overnight on their tours of the river.

Dense woodland clothes the Hőheberg hills above Lindewerra and the paths can be navigated safely only if you have a good map such as the one recommended. We made one wrong turning and paid for it for an hour or so afterwards. Confusingly there are actually two places marked Teufelskanzel [The Devil’s Chancel] on the hill: this walk concerns the lower one near the Riegelsberg, not the one lying between Lindewerra and Gerbershausen.

Take the country road to Wahlhausen, passing the church, D, and turning right to climb the Dietzenrode road. At the edge of the village, H, two paths leave on the left: take the right-hand one towards the Arnberghűtte. Shortly afterwards, and not marked when we visited, the path divides. Do not keep straight ahead, as we did. Instead take the right fork up the hill, past the Arnberghűtte to climb the Hőhberg. The path does not take you to the summit but rather to Teufelskanzel, J, a point where several tracks and roads meet (and where visitors sometime drop old beer cans). The signpost to Teufelskanzel here is confusing and probably relates to the other place of that name. We reached this Teufelskanzel by a less satisfactory path.

From here the path climbs a ridge to Ausgespann (signposted), providing occasional views down towards Fretterode below. The path continues to the other Teufelskanzel or round to Pfeillietenhűtte. Due to the lateness of the hour we did walk that far, instead simply retracing our steps to the site and very welcome beers and Schnitzel at the camp restaurant. An alternative route home leads down to the car park on the Dietzenrode road, by the bridge over the Walse stream.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

It was Robert Browning who wrote of ‘the River Weser, deep and wide’ (in the opening lines of The Pied Piper of Hamelin) but these walks are based several miles up-river from Hameln, on the stretch that flows North from Holzminden to Bodenwerder. There are two sites here, one just by the car ferry at Polle and the one we stayed at, and liked, at Heinsen. Their website shows some of the hills that frame the walks here.

We liked this walk for its fine views. There was a fair bit of climbing but all of it quite gentle.

Turn left out of the site, with playing fields on your left, onto a road that soon becomes a farm track and is marked Hn 2 on the recommended map. Turn right and cross the B83 to point A at the foot of the hill where several paths diverge. Take the left path, HN 1 on the map, which climbs gradually as it rounds the Eastern flank of the Ahlsberg. There are occasional views across the river valley to the wooded hills forming the Bruchholz Nature Reserve. The path continues to climb as it turns south-West, the views getting better all the time. Eventually the path zig-zags North, away from the river, being joined by the Hn 2 path from the right for a short distance before rising towards West-Kandel.

Near the summit, B, the Hn 2 path breaks away. This provides the shorter walk down into the Kandelgrund valley and back to point A. For the full walk, bear left at B on a forest track over fairly level ground. On the right are some disused structures with explanatory notices. Continue by West-Kandel to point C where the forest track continues straight ahead. Here turn right, soon emerging from the woodland into open fields with good views. Turn left at the country road, point D, and climb steadily to where, in 2007, a shelter was built at a junction of the paths. Here turn right at follow the path down into the Hagengrund valley and back to Heinsen. We found at point E a pleasant little café, with tables in the back garden, pausing before walking back through the village to the site.

The small print:
No liability is accepted for any loss suffered by reliance on this walk description. Any sketch map is included for illustration only. You should always obtain and use up to date maps for the area you have chosen to explore. The description of the walk is based on our notes made at the time we visited (see heading for each walk). Whilst none of us can move mountains, paths and features may have changed since then.

It was Robert Browning who wrote of ‘the River Weser, deep and wide’ (in the opening lines of The Pied Piper of Hamelin) but these walks are based several miles up-river from Hameln, on the stretch that flows North from Holzminden to Bodenwerder. There are two sites here, one just by the car ferry at Polle and the one we stayed at, and liked, at Heinsen. Their website shows some of the hills that frame the walks here.

This is a simple ‘there and back’ walk near the river. Sadly, for most of the journey there is no footpath along the bank of the river, which is one or two fields away.

Turn right out of the site towards the centre of Heinsen village past point E where we found a pleasant little café, with tables in the back garden, and out on the Polle road, the B83. The road can be busy but there is a good pavement all the way, with pleasant views of the hills to the left. The road drops slightly as it enters Polle and reaches the car ferry near the ruins of an old castle.

Do as the locals do, and watch the ferry ply its traffic over the fast-flowing river. Enjoy a drink at the Polle campsite café then simply retrace your steps to Heinsen site. On the way back, turn left down one of the side streets to the river. Here you will see old fishermen’s cottages near the church and an example of the boats that were once used for fishing. Continue along the side road to the site.

If you stay at the site at Polle, rather than at Heinsen, you can explore several walks direct from the site. Either take the ferry to explore the land enclosed on three sides by the river or to climb the hills near Polle such as the Giersberg and Osterberg. These walks are clearly shown on the recommended map.