- Summit
- Place to stop for a bite to eat
Olsberg Summit Cross Trail (Hiking in Germany Quality Trail) Stage 4: Kneipp Hiking Trail
Hike to the summit cross with wonderful views of the young Ruhrtal. A “must” for every hiker in Olsberg. This is a stage of the Olsberg Kneipp Hiking Trail, the most beautiful trail in North Rhine-Westphalia (as selected by viewers of WDR). It is also a quality hike certified by the Sauerland-Wanderdörfer, Germany’s first certified quality hiking region. www.sauerland-wanderdörfer.de
Tour starting point:
Hiking sign below Olsberg—above the Hasley Hut at the small hiking parking lot
Tour destination point:
Hiking sign below Olsberg—above the Hasley Hut at the small hiking parking lot
Properties:
Additional Information
Category
regionaler WanderwegLength
5.5 kmDuration
2:45 hElevation ascent
297 mElevation descent
303 mLowest point
396 mHighest point
699 mCondition
Difficulty
Recommended seasons
The trail leads to the summit of Olsberg (700 m above sea level) via the famous cliff trail. There, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Kneipp spa town of Olsberg. This hike is certified as a “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality tour—and rightly so.
In addition to unspoiled trails and numerous lookout points, the tour also offers places to stop for refreshments on the way back to town. At the summit, you can enjoy a view that is second to none. The natural footbath at the Luisenquelle invites you to try Kneipp-style water treading. The Olsberg Kneipp Hiking Trail was voted the most beautiful hiking trail in North Rhine-Westphalia by viewers of WDR. This summit cross tour is the 4th stage of the Kneipp Trail. The “Kneipp” theme simply adds value to the hiking experience. Information signs at the natural footbath at the Luisenquelle explain the practice of Kneipp water treading. Just give it a try—it’s worth it.
The tour is well-planned and available as a printed guide from the tourist office.
Information
Directions
Starting at Olsberg Touristik, the trail for this premium hike runs along the lower reaches of the Ruhr River toward the city center. At the roundabout heading toward Winterberg, the trail goes up the street called “Rutsche.” Continue along Kurterrainweg 3 through the street “Am Olsberg” until just before the Hasley Hut (unmanned).After the uphill curve, you’ll find a hiking sign that provides additional useful information about this tour. This is where the premium hike begins; directly across the street, the trail continues—well-signposted and marked with “K” for the Olsberg Kneipp Trail —along the steep and challenging cliff path to the Luisenquelle.There, you can refresh your feet according to Kneipp’s water therapy principles. Continue uphill to the summit cross.Enjoy the spectacular views from there. Beautiful benches and a rotating “Rothaar” recliner provide a place to rest.Now you’ll descend back down into the valley via the other side of the mountain. Above the new housing development, follow the Kurterrainweg sign 3 to the Dr. Grüne Kneipp Park.The center of Olsberg offers many places to stop for refreshments after the hike. To round off the day and as a reward, visit our beautiful AquaOlsberg, the Sauerlandtherme. www.aquaolsberg.de
Equipment
Sturdy shoes and a full water bottle
Safety guidelines
Wear sturdy shoes and bring something to drink. The cliff trail is a bit of a challenge.
Author Tip
Enjoy the natural foot bath at the Luisenquelle.
The themes of water, hiking, and well-being are present throughout the entire tour.
Spending some extra time at the summit is simply wonderful. It’s also a special experience at sunrise.
The Kneipp Trail flyer is available free of charge at the Olsberg Tourist Office. Maybe it will inspire you to tackle the next stage.
Literature
www.olsberg.de
Maps
Olsberg Hiking Map, Olsberg Tourism and City Marketing GmbH.
Public transit
Olsberg Station, Bigge Station, S30 Bus Route Brilon–Olsberg www.bahn.de
How to get there
BAB 44, Bad Wünnenberg exit, via Brilon (B 480) to Olsberg.
At the traffic light intersection in the town center, head toward Olsberg-Bigge.
You’ll find the concert hall 500 m down the road on the right.
Click on the map on the left to enlarge it, or use the route planner.
Parking
Large parking lot directly in front of Olsberg Touristik, Ruhrstrasse 32, 59939 Olsberg www.olsberg.deThis is where the trailhead for the “Qualitätstour” begins.
However, you can also drive directly to the hiking sign below Olsberg and start the hike there.
Exit the roundabout toward Winterberg. About 500 meters past the town exit sign, turn right toward the Hasley Hut. Drive uphill past the hut until you reach a small hiking parking lot on the right. The tour starts here, across the street, marked by the hiking sign.