Nature experiences
Nature makes you happy.
Listen to the silence. Letting your gaze wander far and wide. Shared family experiences. Ground the senses. This and much more is possible during a stay in the wonderful nature of the Schmallenberger Sauerland. A variety of offers invite you to discover small or large animals, colorful flowers, stately trees and swaying landscapes.
A backpack full of adventure
Discovery tours for the whole family
Go on a discovery tour with the event backpack - on your own and at your own pace. An audio box guides you through various tasks and the rucksack contains everything you need. Book online now, pick it up at the Tourist Information Schmallenberg and take it with you for a day:
Kyrill-Path
The calm after the storm
At the beginning of 2007, hurricane Kyrill redrew the contours of the region with incredible destructive force. Within one night, it devastated more forest in the Sauerland than any storm ever before. 16 million cubic meters fell in NRW, 4 million in Hochsauerland. In order to make Kyrill's consequences visible and tangible for years to come, the rangers of the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW have Rothaarsteig created the Kyrill trail by hand. Schanze created. On an uncleared storm wood area in the state forest, hikers can experience the "force of nature peacefully" over a length of around one kilometer via narrow steps and under fallen trees. The landmark of the trail, which is also very interesting for children, is "the ship's bow" on a splintered tree.
The Kyrill trail is located in the small Schmallenberg district Schanze and starts at the newly built ranger station. The Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW offers guided hikes by arrangement for a wide range of target groups.
Forest worker and forester trail
Discover the secrets of the forest
A total of 17 stations over 4.5 kilometers reveal all kinds of information about the "secrets of the forest". The lumberjack and forester trail vividly explains the complex forest ecosystem with its diverse functions and shows the importance and use of the valuable raw material wood. Whether it's charcoal burning, monoculture, or logging—topics from both yesterday and today, spanning from ecology to forest management—are addressed. Additionally, there is even a small "forest worker museum" on the trail
The start of the trail with free parking is at the village hall in Schmallenberg-Latrop.
Especially recommended for families with children is the approximately three-kilometer-long family adventure trail in Schmallenberg. Take the whole family to explore the 13 stations on the theme of forests, animals, wood and birds. The trail is easy to manage for children aged five and over or "all-terrain" baby carriages without any major inclines.
The badger guides you on your discovery tour on the approximately 3.5 km long forest adventure trail in Bad Fredeburg. Interesting facts about native plants, animals and trees are explained on descriptive boards, while play stations along the trail invite young and old "scouts" to embark on adventures.
Note: Please note that the forest adventure trail is currently only accessible to a very limited extent due to construction work. For up-to-date information please contact the tourist information office in Bad Fredeburg on 02974 / 7037 (as of 25.08.2022).
Jumping long distances, puzzling pictures of birds of prey, guessing the ground conditions barefoot - the forest adventure trail Dorlar challenges all the senses. Over a distance of approx. 2.5 km, nine adventure stations convey the diversity of nature. Parking is available at Schützenhalle in Dorlar. From there, you can reach the trail in approx. 15 - 20 minutes on foot.
More nature adventure trails in the region
Wisent-Wildnis
on Rothaarsteig
An impressive encounter with "his majesty", the bison, awaits you. At Wisent-Wildnis, a herd of Europe's largest land mammals lives in a natural area of around 20 hectares. A three-kilometre adventure trail leads around the enclosure so that you are very likely to be able to observe the impressive animals. The trail is deliberately designed to be close to nature and varied and therefore requires suitable footwear and a sure footing. The Wisent-Wildnis is closed on Mondays.
At the end of the hike, we recommend a visit to the adventure playground or a stop at the bison hut, located directly at Wisent-Wildnis.
The family amusement park in the Sauerland. A variety of attractions such as the summer toboggan run, bouncy cushions, play and climbing castles or the slide paradise will make children's hearts beat faster. Experience pure nature when you meet red deer, mouflons, sika and fallow deer, wild boar and bison in the extensive enclosures. There are also wolves, lynx and otters to marvel at. The little ones especially love the large petting zoo with many domestic animal breeds.
Zum Panorama Park...In this wildlife park, you can experience seven typical wild animal species up close. The park has been around for 50 years and is accessible free of charge all year round. Sika and red deer, wild boar, raccoons, foxes and lynxes live in the enclosures. In addition, "Skudden", an old breed of sheep, are on the move around the Bilstein rock as landscape conservationists. The Bilstein cave and an extensive forest playground are located in the immediate vicinity.
Zum Wildpark Bilsteintal...In the wild forest Vosswinkel you can experience nature and the forest for a whole day. More than 12 km of hiking trails run through the park. Along the way, playgrounds, forest stations, rest areas and viewing platforms invite you to discover nature and observe wild animals. Wildlife feedings take place at different times of the day and during the fall months Werden numerous special tours are offered for the deer rut.
Zum Wildwald Vosswinkel...Visit the wildlife and leisure park Willingen in the middle of the nature park Diemelsee. The park's extensive enclosures are home to native species such as fallow deer, red deer and sika deer, predators such as brown bears and wild cats, as well as some exotic animals. A special highlight is the impressive daily birds of prey demonstration. You can also discover 26 lovingly designed fairytale houses in which the characters of childhood "come alive" Werden.
Zum Wildpark Willingen...
You can explore around 400 meters of a 1,850-meter-long cave system at Bilsteintal in the Bilstein Cave. The remaining cave systems are reserved for professional speleologists or are often under water for months at a time. This is because an active cave stream flows through the Bilstein Cave, constantly washing it out.