Uplandsteig

Magnificent countryside around Willingen

Deeply carved valleys, mountain crests that stretch into the distance, flowering upland heaths and crystal-clear springs. What more could a walker want? The Uplandsteig trail runs for 64km through unspoilt upland scenery around the winter sports resort of Willingen , making every step a real pleasure. Ideally, you will need three to four days for the walk. This should allow you plenty of time to stop off and unwind along the way. The diverse Uplandsteig trail, which begins in Willingen, meanders its way through the forests and meadows between Lake Diemelsee in the north and the peaks of the Sauerland in the south. You never really stray that far from the centrally located holiday resort, which means that transfers to and from your accommodation in the morning and evening are pleasingly short.

The route follows the twists and turns of the Ittertal valley, then zigzags up a narrow path to Schwalenburg Castle, an early medieval fortified refuge that is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It continues uphill and downhill through the Aarbachtal valley, then joins the Frankenpfad trail along the route that Charlemagne once took with his soldiers, before climbing up past Dommelmühle mill to the 788m summit of Dommel hill. There's a total climb of almost three hundred metres to negotiate before you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views from the platform at the top of the observation tower.

The climb up Grotenberg hill along narrow grassy tracks is a real pleasure. You then face the choice between the valley or peaks route to the source of the Diemel river where there is a dramatic change of scenery. The route emerges from the patchwork of heath and pine trees on Mount Kahle Pön and enters dense coniferous forests. It then winds its way across the mountain peaks reaching heights of 700 to 800 metres, before reaching its southernmost point on the 801m Hillekopf. From here, the route runs alongside the Rothaarsteig trail on the way back to Willingen.