Berleburger Wanderspuren
Welcome to Bad Berleburg – the first Premium Hiking Town in North Rhine-Westphalia. Located in the Rothaar Mountains, the town covers an area of 275 square kilometres, making it the second-largest municipality by area within a district in North Rhine-Westphalia. Forests and agricultural land account for 90% of its area, making Bad Berleburg a truly green destination. Around 20,000 people currently live in this natural paradise in South Westphalia.
Hikers can explore certified trails that stand out for their high quality, thematic diversity and variety of route lengths. Hiker-friendly hosts offer delicious culinary experiences, while welcoming hotels, guesthouses and holiday apartments invite visitors to stay and enjoy the region.
The Premium Hiking Town of Bad Berleburg
The Berleburger Wanderspuren comprise five certified trails ranging from six to 21 kilometres in length. The routes lead up and down through the hilly landscape, rewarding hikers with wonderful panoramic views from the heights and adventurous, winding natural paths in the valleys. Along trails through meadows and forests, hikers encounter impressive rock formations, extensive slate scree slopes and clear streams.
The routes showcase the landscape at its very best: some sections are adventurous and have an almost alpine character. Along the way, hikers can discover majestic ancient trees, a genuine bat cave, idyllic bodies of water and traces of the region’s history. Nature is given free rein along the trails, revealing its full beauty and creating a true sense of wilderness.
Hikers of all ages can immerse themselves in a very special world of fairy tales right in the town centre. The “Märchenspur” Premium Walking Trails leads through the historic old town, up to the castle and its park, and onwards into mysterious forests. A quiz leaflet available from the Nature Park Information Centre turns the hike into an adventure for the whole family – collect stamps, solve puzzles and earn a reward. The result is a memorable day out combining beautiful natural scenery, the romance of a historic castle and the magic of fairy tales.
Key Facts
| Country / State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
|---|---|
| Region | Siegen-Wittgenstein |
| Premium hiking trails | 4 |
| Premium winter hiking trails | 0 |
| Premium city hiking trails | 0 |
| Premium walking trails | 1 |
| Additional certificate "RegionalGenuss" (Regional Culinary Excellence) | 0 |
| Trail group | Berleburger Wanderspuren |
| Certification | 2021, 2024 |
| Certificate valid until | September 2027 |
In addition to the mandatory criteria, the Premium Hiking Town meets the following optional criteria:
Component 1: Hiking Opportunities
The municipality offers more than the three required Premium circular hiking trails.
The municipality offers one or more Premium Walking Trails.
One or more certified long-distance trails (Premium Trails or Quality Trails) pass through the area of the Hiking Town.
Component 2: Well Informed
The Premium Hiking Town publishes a printed hiking map featuring all Premium Trails within the destination.
An information hotline is available on weekdays from Monday to Friday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
The certified trail network is clearly structured using categories such as easy, moderate and difficult.
Component 3: Hiker-Friendly Hosts
Seasonal culinary events and promotions are offered by local restaurants and are jointly coordinated and marketed by the Premium Hiking Town and participating businesses.
Self-service drinks stations, including vending machines, are available along 50% of the Premium Trails.
The destination cooperates with organisations that promote sustainable and regional food, such as Slow Food organisations and regional food brands.
Component 4: Trail Activities and Hiking Events
Additional hiking events and guided hikes on a variety of themes are offered regularly (at least once a year):
Culinary experiences and hiking (e.g. beer hikes, wine hikes and three-course-menu hikes)
Hiking marathon
Hiking laboratory
Premium Trails in the Region
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Good public transport connection