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Schmallenberg, Germany
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Schmallenberg Upper Town to Old Town via Mount Wilzenberg (5.9mi)

Schmallenberg School Complex – Aberg – Wilzenberg – Aberg – Spa Park – Gasthof Mönig

Map: Please note that the routes I walk are designed for me and my individual needs only. I do not guarantee their suitability or safety. You always travel at your own risk.
Page published: 22 November 2024 Page modified: 3 December 2024
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Experience one of rural Germany’s hidden gems: the town of Schmallenberg in the Sauerland mountains.

I gathered some friends to hike up Mount Wilzenberg, also known as ‘the Holy Mountain of the Sauerland’. The day before, Jasmin and I went on a town walk, which I included in the latter part of my video. You can find it here and on my YouTube channel.

Raphael, Dominik, Daniel and I began our walk in Schmallenberg’s upper town at Obringhauser Straße, near the School Complex. From there, we passed through a residential area and an industrial estate. At the end of the estate, a steep path led us to the top of the Aberg Hill.

A first break at the ‘Lake’ Industrial Estate. A first break at the ‘Lake’ Industrial Estate.
The beers hadn’t been finished when we arrived at the top of the Aberg. The beers hadn’t been finished when we arrived at the top of the Aberg.
The old tree on the Aberg … The old lime tree on the Aberg …
… has a cross standing in front of it. … has a cross standing in front of it.

Mount Wilzenberg

From there, we went up Mount Wilzenberg. It’s a Christian pilgrimage site, and at the summit, you’ll find an old chapel, a summit cross, and an observation tower. You can learn more about the mountain’s history and the legends surrounding it in the video.

Walking up Mount Wilzenberg. Walking up Mount Wilzenberg.
Another break at the Wilzenberg car park. Another break at the Wilzenberg car park.
The figure inside the wayside shrine is called ‘Blood-Sweating Saviour’. The figure inside the wayside shrine is called ‘Blood-Sweating Saviour’.
It’s possible to slightly shortcut the route to the mountaintop by walking up this steep path, where there’s a pond halfway along. It’s possible to slightly shortcut the route to the mountaintop by walking up this steep path, where there’s a pond halfway along.
There’s a mysterious ambience up here. There’s a mysterious ambience up here.
Since 1963, the traditional marksmen of the Meschede area have held triannual pilgrimages to the Wilzenberg. Since 1963, the traditional marksmen of the Meschede area have held triannual pilgrimages to the Wilzenberg.
St Mary’s Chapel and wayside shrines in the mist on top of the mountain. St Mary’s Chapel and wayside shrines in the mist on top of the mountain.
The stony surface near the summit cross. The stony surface near the summit cross.
On my way to Studland village. Arriving at the Wilzenberg Tower.
Perfect reflection of the tower in a puddle. Perfect reflection of the tower in a puddle.
The Wilzenberg Tower in all its glory. The Wilzenberg Tower in all its glory.
Our hiking group on top of the observation tower. Our hiking group on top of the observation tower.
Picnic at the summit. Picnic at the summit.

Descent back to Schmallenberg

After descending from the Wilzenberg, we returned to the Aberg and went down to the town of Schmallenberg’s lower town, crossing a section of the Spa Park. A path then took us to the old town, where we enjoyed an amazing evening at The Mönig Inn, or ‘Gasthof Mönig’.

We’re back in Schmallenberg. We’re back in Schmallenberg.
Watching football at Schacka’s. Watching football at Schacka’s.
The tension was high. The tension was high.
Later in the evening at Gasthof Mönig. Later in the evening at Gasthof Mönig.

Town tour

During our town walk, we explored some of central Schmallenberg’s sights and gathered interesting information about the town and its history. So, if you haven’t watched the video yet, now might be the perfect time to do so. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by.

Scenery of Schmallenberg from a viewpoint in the shape of a ship. Scenery of Schmallenberg from a viewpoint in the shape of a ship.
In a beer garden opposite the Schützenplatz. In a beer garden opposite the Schützenplatz.
At Weststraße. At Weststraße.
Jasmin and Breybalg. Jasmin and Breybalg.
Schmalen Haus. Schmalen Haus.
At Oststraße. At Oststraße.

Thanks

A big shout-out to my wife Jasmin who surprised me with this journey for my birthday and all my friends who took part in this video, especially:

Raphael, who contributed a great deal of amazing photos,
Mäckes (one photo) – visit him on Instagram: maeckes83,
Freddy (one photo),
my brother Daniel,
Dominik,
Benni,
‘Schacka’ of Gasthof Mönig,

and everyone else who joined me on that day, and made it such a wonderful experience.

To the video

Locations visited Germany – North Rhine‑Westphalia – Westphalia – Sauerland – High Sauerland District (Hochsauerlandkreis) – Schmallenberg – upper town – Obringhauser Straße – Schmallenberg School Complex (Schulzentrum Schmallenberg) – ‘Altes Feld’ residential area – Sauerland-Radring – B 236 road – ‘Lake’ Industrial Estate – River Lenne – Aberg – Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology – Mount Wilzenberg – Wilzenberg car park – St Mary’s Chapel – summit cross – Wilzenberg observation tower – lower town – Spa Park – footpath below the former town wall – old town – street atop the former town wall – Oststraße – The Mönig Inn (Gasthof Mönig / Schacka) – Burgess Hill Square (Burgess‑Hill‑Platz) – Wood and Tourism Centre (Holz‑ und Touristikzentrum) – Town Event Hall (Stadthalle) – Marksmen’s Square (Schützenplatz) – Weststraße – Stoffel’s Inn (Gasthof Stoffels) – St Alexander’s Church – Breybalg – Town Hall (Rathaus) – Schmalen Haus – Chapel on the Werth (Kapelle auf dem Werth)
Shoe