Arpe: Adventure Trails, Views and Village Culture

Arpe combines varied trails, storied landscapes and village culture. For families, the approximately 2.5 km-long Hardt Adventure Trail Arpe offers a child-friendly circular route with various hands-on stations. These engage dexterity, imagination and stamina in different ways. The trail leads through sections of woodland and meadows, rocky areas and along slopes beside a stream valley. This makes it possible to begin a stay in Arpe with a manageable yet varied hike.

Hiking trails with different highlights

Those looking for a longer route with changing landscape impressions can include the circular route around Arpe (AR2) in their plans. It starts in Arpe, heads towards Herschede past Silberg to Keppel and then returns to Arpe. After the ascent to Herschede and reaching Silberg, there are many beautiful views. The route therefore combines a clear starting point with a course in which the ascent and the views are defining features.

The starting point of the circular route is at the hiking information board opposite Gasthof Voss in Arpe. Bus route 345 can also be used for the journey: The “Arpe” stop provides access to the starting point of the circular route around Arpe (AR2). Those who do not want to plan their trip by car can take this information into account when choosing their day of travel.

Listening Posts, Stories and Special Trails

Arpe is also integrated into several themed trail experiences. The Myths Trail (MW) leads from Berghausen via Niederberndorf to Arpe. Lauschpohl Tour 1 runs from Arpe via Keppel and Silberg along various Lauschpohl stations to Herschede and then back to Arpe. At Lauschpohl No. 16 / Sleeping Beauty Trail, the story of a little princess, the “Blackthorn Fairy”, is told on an enchanted path. The entry point to the Lauschpohl sites in Arpe is marked by an information board about the Lauschpohl sites in Hawerland. Such stations add a storytelling element to a hike and provide starting points for shared discoveries with children.

Village History and Regional Cuisine

The church tradition is also part of the village’s identity. The pilgrimage on foot from Arpe to Werl developed into a traditional part of church and village life in Arpe. The small branch church of St. Anthony was built in the Renaissance style. Its exact age is unclear and may date back to around 1650. The church was renovated in 2015; in front of it stands a group of figures depicting Saint Anthony with pigs, known as “Fickeltünnes”.

At Gasthof Voss in Arpe, regional specialities and seasonal dishes are always freshly prepared.

Choose Arpe as Your Holiday Destination

A holiday apartment or holiday house in Arpe is particularly well suited to travel plans focused on trails and discovering the village.

If, after exploring Arpe, you would like to see other places from the same selection, you can find Obringhausen, Winkhausen, Bödefeld, Oberkirchen, Altenilpe, Gellinghausen, Rehsiepen and Dorlar here.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Schmallenberg.