Sauerland-Höhenflug Winter Hike: Around Küstelberg

The trail begins in the mountain village of Küstelberg at the village square. Here, next to the bus stop, stands an impressive, approximately 500-year-old linden tree, which serves as a sort of landmark for the village. Küstelberg is the highest-elevation district of the town of Medebach and was first mentioned in 1177. On your hike, first follow the Sauerland-Höhenflug trail toward Medelon. Shortly after leaving the village, you’ll reach the source of the Orke River, through whose valley you’ll continue hiking. Right at the edge of town, you’ll leave the Sauerland-Höhenflug trail and turn right onto an unmarked connecting path leading into the Orketal. The forests in the upper reaches of the Orke are protected nature reserves. The Glindfeld Forest Reserve nature reserve is characterized by extensive Buchenwälder of varying ages, interspersed with riparian forests and natural stretches of flowing water.After crossing one of these streams, follow the path for another 850 m and then take a sharp right. After another 430 m, you’ll come to the E1 hiking trail, which runs along the Orke back to just below the Orke’s source. If you’d like, you can add a loop around the village: To do this, follow Am Sonnenhang, cross Winterberg Straße, and you’ll come to the Rothaarsteig. After passing the wind farm, turn right. Take the K3 along the outskirts of the village back to the starting point of the hike.