Willingen

The Sauerland heaths are the highlights of the landscape around Willingen. They were created by man through his rigorous deforestation. Today they are sensitive, strictly protected natural refuges that need a lot of care - and they are hiking areas with great views at any time of year. The high trails that connect them offer panoramic views far beyond the Sauerland, especially in winter - the time of clear air.

Steps in the sky

The Skywalk leads our steps into the sky around Willingen - a world full of distant views and scenic places to stop for refreshments. It doesn't really matter which direction you take in Willingen. It's always uphill and always leads to great views.

Dry air not only ensures that a winter's day doesn't feel as unpleasantly cold as one of those damp, cold days that the Sauerland people call "usselig". And dry winter air also has another advantage: visibility is clear. That's exactly what today is all about. We set off from Willingen to find the best distant views.

Of course, we want to use the Skywalk on the way up - the second longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world and, at 665 meters, the longest in Germany. Only in the Czech Republic is there a pedestrian suspension bridge that is another 56 meters longer. After all, 120 tons of metal dead weight hang up to 100 meters above the floor of the Strycktal near Willingen. The name says it all: we really are walking through the sky here and anyone who thinks that a little air can't move so much solid metal will soon be proven wrong. The bridge offers a great view of the Mühlenkopfschanze, which should of course be captured on the sensor. This would be much easier if everything wasn't constantly moving. The action is a little adventurous, but completely stable and safe. The Skywalk is an adrenaline rush for people who prefer not to take any risks. Anyone can manage this walk across the valley. Views like this right at the start are definitely promising.

The route continues uphill on the south side of the Strycktal. After a gentle ascent in the forest, all the promises are fulfilled. First we can see Usseln to the north. Just opposite is another one of the Sauerland-Seelenorte: the heathland on the Osterkopf. Shortly before the highest point, we can see almost the entire Medebach Bay and a significant part of the neighboring Hesse region to the south.

We don't have to part with this view for a small or large refreshment. The Graf Stolberg Hütte is located on the panoramic ridge directly on the hiking trail. Wide meadows in front of the viewing terrace guarantee unobstructed distant views. Even the growing forests won't be able to do anything about it. The terrace is well frequented, but some of the visitors were somehow unathletic. There is a parking lot for hikers very close to the hut. You could have driven up here by car, but views are even more beautiful when you pay for them with tired calves. So we continue on foot.

From the Graf Stolberg Hütte, we follow a circular hiking trail that is aptly named "Blick-ins-Land". In Rothaarsteigland, the most beautiful circular hiking trails of this type are called Rothaarsteigspuren. They are probably the most beautiful one-day circular tours in the region. Shortly after the hut, the path divides - if you turn right, you will later come back from the left and vice versa. The most beautiful place to watch the sunset is the cross on the Usseln Heid. If you want to get there quickly, it is best to turn left. However, if you have brought some time with you, you should walk anticlockwise and turn right first. Both paths lead to the Heid. The right-hand path is further and takes you past some more great views, for example above Düdinghausen.

Whichever path you take, at some point the 180º panorama of the Usseln Heid opens up. The whole of Upland lies at our feet. In summer, the sun sets picturesquely from here behind the striking observation tower on the Ettelsberg. In winter, it is the nearby Hohe Pön behind which the sun now disappears. Langenberg and Clemensberg are very close by - we really are on the roof of the Sauerland. The highest Sauerland peaks are given a golden edge by the setting sun this evening. What a way to end a day on the hunt for distant views in the winter light!

Klaus-Peter Kappe