Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park

The Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park is a very large nature park. Its area stretches from Lüdenscheid in the west to Medebach in the east and from Menden in the north to Burbach in the far south. The area is larger than that of the federal states of Saarland and Berlin combined.

On the two highest mountains in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Langenberg (843.2 meters) and the Kahler Asten (842.9 meters), you will encounter many hikers, climbers and mountain bikers in summer. You can experience the hiking region, which is one of the most popular and well-known in Germany, on the certified Rothaarsteig or Sauerland-Höhenflug hiking trails, for example. In winter, the low mountain range region, which is one of the most densely wooded areas in the whole country, is also a popular ski resort.

Since 2013, Europe's largest land mammals, a herd of free-roaming bison, have been roaming the Rothaargebirge again thanks to a private species conservation project. The Bruchhauser Steine, the first National Natural Monument in North Rhine-Westphalia, are an impressive sight. Near Olsberg, the 390-million-year-old rocks tower up to 92 meters high into the sky. On the ascent, you will find glacial plant relics along the way that are otherwise only found in the Alps. Immerse yourself in a fascinating world of stalagmites and stalactites in two of Germany's most famous stalactite caves, the Atta and Dechen caves. Large reservoirs such as the Sorpe, Bigge and Hennesee lakes also offer numerous leisure opportunities in and around the water.

Large parts of the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park have been designated as landscape conservation areas. You can experience rare animal and plant species in the nationally important protected areas such as the Ebbemooren or the Medebacher Bucht European bird sanctuary. You can also take part in one of the many guided tours led by nature park guides or rangers from the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW.

Find out more at: www.veranstaltungen.npsr.de