Sauerland-Höhenflug: From Medelon to Küstelberg

The stage begins in Medelon on Orkestraße near the parish church of St. Engelbert. From here, the Sauerland-Höhenflug leads through the picturesque Orketal valley, where the river meanders in numerous meanders and forms a natural habitat for rare animals and plants. The kingfisher and the dipper can be found here. The Orketal is part of the Medebach Bay FFH area. The Geologischer Aufschluss in the old quarry, which forms part of the Medebach-Hallenberg Geo-Experience Route, provides a glimpse into the history of the earth.After hiking through the Orketal, the ascent begins out of Medebach Bay and up into the Rothaargebirge mountains. In just three kilometers, the Sauerland-Höhenflug overcomes over 300 meters in altitude. On the Rösberg at 781 m above sea level, the highest point of this stage, the ascent is rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view over Elkeringhausen to the Kahler Asten and the Hunau Tower. The Stutzstein, which can be found near the vantage point, is reminiscent of the typical Sauerland "Schnadegänge", where you can learn about the borders in a sustainable and conscious way.The hiking trail now runs along the ridge to the hilltop village of Küstelberg, the highest village in Medebach. Just before the village is the source of the River Orke, the valley of which we walked through just a few kilometers ago. Küstelberg was first mentioned in 1177 and refers to the former monastery, which was moved to Glindfeld in 1298. Küstelberg is located on the old Heidenstraße and therefore quickly developed into a highly frequented place, only losing its importance with the construction of better roads and the railroad.Today, Küstelberg offers a wide range of tourist attractions with numerous hiking trails, a high ropes course, a Nordic walking center and a ski slope. The stage ends in the village center of Küstelberg. In addition to the bus stop and extensive information boards, there is also an imposing 500-year-old lime tree here, which is a kind of landmark of the village.