Gierskopp: Kneipp Trails, Road Cycling Tour and Marien Grotto

Gierskopp combines challenging exercise with Kneipp water activities, a spiritual route and local history. The Olsberg Kneipp WanderWeg starts and ends at the Red Bridge on Roten Weg in the Gierskopp district. Other attractions include a road cycling tour along the L743, the Marien Grotto as a historic place of prayer, and the Giersker carnival club’s gala sessions at the Giersker Treff clubhouse.

Hiking and Kneipp Activities in Gierskopp

The Olsberg Kneipp WanderWeg is a difficult circular hiking trail, 41 kilometres long. The route climbs approximately 1,366 metres and descends 1,369 metres. The length, elevation profile and difficulty rating are useful points of reference when planning your hiking days. The Gierskopp stream is part of the trail’s natural surroundings; its water-focused concept includes natural spring-water treading spots as well as numerous Kneipp treading pools and arm baths.

The Spring Tour also takes in a specific stop: the treading spot at the Gierskopp, also known as “An der Scharfsbrücke.” Hikers can rest there and cool their feet. So alongside the long circular hike, water and Kneipp activities are also a focus that you can plan as a separate part of your trip.

Road Cycling Tour and Spiritual Hiking Trail

The “Nach Wasserfall” road cycling tour follows the L743 through Gierskopp. The spiritual hiking trail “Ruhrauen – Das Licht der Kerze” takes a different approach: it branches off at the Gierskopp stream, follows the Kneipp AktivWeg Olsberg along the Gierskopp, and then continues along the Ruhr. This gives you different types of routes to choose from: a road cycling tour through Gierskopp, a challenging long circular hike, and a spiritually oriented hiking trail that follows the waterways.

Marien Grotto and Local History

The Marien Grotto was built in 1912 as a place of prayer near the Gierskopp stream. It was completed after four months and solemnly inaugurated in October of the same year. Around 1925, a memorial to the people of Gierskopp who fell in the First World War was added and incorporated into the grotto complex. This sequence connects the site’s religious origins with local remembrance.

Another historical landmark is the Schultenhof, which was renovated in 1837. Local club life also has a specific venue: the Giersker carnival club holds its gala sessions at the “Giersker Treff” clubhouse. The area’s history thus spans religious and memorial traditions as well as local carnival celebrations.

More to Explore in the Wider Olsberg Destination

The Bruchhauser Steine offer another nature and culture attraction in the wider Olsberg destination. In April 2017, they became the first National Natural Monument in North Rhine-Westphalia; the area is a nature reserve, an FFH site and a bird sanctuary. A visitor centre with guided tours and several themed trails provide access to the protected rocky area. Among the rocks lies a prehistoric hillfort and place of worship dating from around 500 BC. Nature conservation, trails and archaeological history thus come together in the wider Olsberg area, while Gierskopp has its own historical connections at the Marien Grotto and Schultenhof.

Kneipp activities are also part of the wider Olsberg destination. The Kneipp ErlebnisPark includes ten Kneipp rest stops where visitors can experience all five Kneipp elements with all their senses. The AquaOlsberg Sauerland thermal spa combines brine and Kneipp treatments with sports and leisure activities. These attractions complement Gierskopp’s trails and water features with further Kneipp and leisure opportunities across the Olsberg destination.

Getting Here and Choosing a Holiday Apartment

The Gierskopp Körner stop in Olsberg is served by bus route R31; from there, it is around a 15-minute uphill walk. Checking the timetable before travelling can help you plan your journey. When choosing a holiday apartment, first consider what you want to focus on: the difficult circular hike, a road cycling tour, the spiritual trail, or the area’s cultural and historical heritage. The bus connection and the climb that follows are additional practical points to bear in mind.

Discover more destinations: Bruchhausen, Wulmeringhausen, Elpe, Antfeld, Wiemeringhausen, Assinghausen, Elleringhausen.

For the full destination overview: Olsberg.