Saalhausen circular hiking trail

The circular trail around the village begins in the center of Saalhausen (S). Cross the main road at the traffic lights and follow the white S across the lively Lenne. Passing a café, you walk through the quiet alleyways down the Lenne to the end of the village. There, the well-kept floodplain spreads out and within sight of the river, you walk almost flat through the valley on a paved path. Ignore the footbridge to the spa gardens and walk straight ahead. After 0.9 km, a Kneipp facility promises healthy refreshment before a rustic hut at the Bräukelken parking lot offers space to rest a few meters later. The route then continues straight over the K27 and gently downhill through the rolling meadows with the best view of the valley. The path describes a bend and descends significantly. You pass the junction to the fishing ponds, cross the Lenne and come to the B 236, which you cross at the traffic lights and continue straight on along Gleierstraße through the small village. As soon as you have passed the last houses, you can leave the road to the right and follow the S-path to the Rinsleyfelsen parking lot in the forest. Follow the paved forest path deeper into the spruce forest and turn right at a crossroads. A few meters further on, a rest area with a water treading facility and playground invites you to linger. After 3.2 km, you leave the Spinkacker Bachtal valley to the right and conquer the hill on forest paths. After the first ascent, the forest opens up and offers a great view of Saalhausen and the Lenne valley. The forest adventure trail now briefly accompanies the S-path and benches give you the opportunity to enjoy the view.Sections of forest alternate again and again with areas of windbreak and from the steadily ascending path, you can take in the valley from changing perspectives. The path then leads through lush forest again, circles the Saßmecke valley and slowly descends. You reach the Böddesbach valley and turn right onto an asphalt path. Passing a game reserve and an industrial area, you reach the built-up area. Immediately turn left into Teckholzstraße and walk out of the village back into nature. Once again, you can enjoy the green surroundings. After 9 km, you reach Haus Hilmecke via a path and walk down a small road to the B 236. In Störmecke, you cross the main road and walk along the K 26 for approx. 150 m. Then you can turn right onto the valley path. The paved path mostly leads back to Saalhausen close to the lively rippling Lenne. At the sports field and the neighboring mountain bike park, you reach the municipality again. At the parking lot at the Lenne bridge, turn left immediately before the river and walk along a paved footpath and side roads to the Lenne bridge at the church. You cross the Lenne again and after a total of 11.8 km you arrive back at the starting point in the center of the village (S).Accessible route description:The low-barrier tour starts at the parking lot of the Kur- und Bürgerhaus in Saalhausen. There are plenty of places to park here. You walk past the overview maps on the left, on an asphalted path, towards Steelenplatz. Continue over the Lenne, following the cycle path signs. From the first houses, go straight ahead and follow the "TalVITAL" signs to the bridge. Keep to the left of the bridge. Cycle past a café through the quiet lanes down the Lenne to the end of the village. Keep to the asphalt road, which is almost flat through the valley. Ignore the wooden bridge leading to the spa gardens on the right and continue straight ahead. After 0.9 km, a Kneipp facility promises a refreshing dip. A few meters later, a hut at Bräukelchen invites you to take a break. The trail then continues straight ahead along the K27, curves and descends sharply. You pass the junction to the fishing ponds, cross the Lenne and come to the B 236. Cross the traffic lights and walk straight on along Gleierstraße through the small village. As soon as you have passed the last houses, leave the road to the right and follow the S-path to the Rinsleyfelsen parking lot in the forest. Follow the paved forest path deeper into the spruce forest and turn right at a crossroads. After a total of approx. 3 km, a rest area with a water treading facility and playground invites you to linger. From here, the path climbs steeply uphill. At the next junction, take a sharp right uphill and continue to follow the signs S. A little after the right-hand bend, the path is flat again, but shortly afterwards it climbs quite steeply again. Along the way, you will find benches that invite you to take a breather. A great view over Saalhausen awaits you on this steep section. On this section, you will find signs for the forest nature trail. From the "Forest animals" sign, the path leads downhill again. Follow the "S" and continue alternately slightly uphill and downhill. At the crossroads, follow the tracks on the right, which lead you steeply downhill. The surface here is a forest path with stones. You come to a tarmac road where you turn right. There is a game reserve on the left. Stay on the road and turn left at the first possibility and immediately left again, following the "S", in the direction of "Haus Hilmecke". From the end of the houses, the road leads quite steeply uphill on rough gravel. At the junction, turn right and continue in the direction of "Haus Hilmecke". From here, the path is flat again for the time being, or leads slightly uphill. At the next junction, take the right-hand path, which takes you downhill on gravel to "Haus Hilmecke". Here you have a nice place to stop for refreshments. Follow the "S" and take the asphalt path downhill to the B 236 road. Keep left, cross the traffic lights, then turn right and immediately right again. From here, you are now on the cycle path that leads back towards Saalhausen. The path is asphalted right to the end. You reach Saalhausen, always along the Lenne. At the start of the TalVITAL there are seating areas and a playground, as well as a small mountain bike facility for children. Shortly afterwards you will reach your starting point again, the parking lot of the Kur-und Bürgerhaus.