Ols­berg Kneipp Hik­ing Trail

En­joy both the beau­ti­ful land­scape of Sauer­land and health be­ne­fits on the Ols­berg Kneipp hik­ing trail.

Hiking the Olsberger Kneippwanderweg (Olsberg Kneipp Hiking Trail) means combining a wonderful adventure in the Sauerland countryside with the Kneipp health philosophy of water treading. This approximately 40-kilometre trail heads around the Kneipp location of Olsberg through a watery landscape. A total of six treading spots (primarily in shallow streams) allow hikers to enjoy Kneipp hydrotherapy treatment until the end of October; for those who aren’t interested in Kneipp therapy, the route is accessible all year round.

If desired, hikers can seek help from Kneipp trail guides. Experts trained in Kneipp medicine will accompany you, demonstrate cold water applications and explain their effects. Guests will also be offered lots of interesting information about Olsberg, its culture and history, and its flora and fauna.

Castles among the trail highlights

Sights along the way include the castles Schloss Schellenstein and Schloss Gevelinghausen with the historic Gevelinghauser Mühle mill. Hikers can make a prior appointment to see the mill’s museum of local history or fortify themselves at the castle’s restaurant. The panoramic view from Olsberg, which is more than 700 metres high, is the crowning glory of the circular hiking trail.

The Philippstollen exhibition mine is worth a short detour; here visitors travel almost 600 metres underground on a discovery tour. Iron ore was mined here as early as pre-Christian times. The mine was decommissioned in 1916. Visitors can take tours in groups of eight or more.

By the way: you won’t need a towel for the Kneipp Hiking Trail, as according to Dr Kneipp, feet that have been cooled by water treading should dry in the open air.

The Olsberg Kneipp Hiking Trail has received the “Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland” seal of quality from the German Hiking Association (DWV) and its consistent thematic focus is unique in Germany.