Discover Oberkirchen: Nature Trails, History and Special Experiences

Oberkirchen combines experiences in nature, local history and unusual travel ideas. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment for a varied stay will find various starting points for planning their days here: paths lead through wooded landscapes and a nature reserve, while historic sites tell the story of the village’s distinctive past. A bus stop directly at the starting point of one of the trails also makes orientation easier when planning.

Nature trails offering different impressions

The Golddorf Route Oberkirchen follows a nature trail through the “Sommerseite” nature reserve and onwards to the Ennest. From there, it is possible to enjoy a panoramic view as well as a view across the Lennetal valley. Sheep and goats are sometimes used in the nature reserve for landscape management. They help preserve the heathland and promote natural biodiversity. The route therefore offers not only exercise but also specific insights into how this landscape is managed.

There are also trails with their own distinctive character to choose from when planning your trip. The Oberkirchen winter hiking trail leads from Oberkirchen towards Winkhausen, onwards to the Almert and the Hexenplatz, and then back to Oberkirchen. The Hartmecketalweg O1 runs through a heavily wooded area via the Mückenplatz to the Hexenplatz and back to Oberkirchen via the Lüttmecke. Those who wish to compare different trail ideas can therefore choose between a route explicitly designated as a winter hiking trail and another route through heavily wooded areas.

Historic places and cultural details

The five historic sites in Oberkirchen include the Baroque church, the Pütte, the gallows, the dungeon and the Hexenplatz. Their names make it clear that the local history is made up of various settings. Travellers interested in culture will find it worthwhile to consider these places as a separate focus alongside the nature trails, rather than seeing Oberkirchen merely as a starting point for hikes.

The painting “St. Jerome” is part of the Catholic parish church of St. Gertrud. Another special feature is the water mill at 15 Alte Poststraße. It comprises the upper and lower mill races. Such specific details add further themes to a stay: after a stretch of walking, your attention can turn to buildings, historic places or individual features of the village landscape.

Special experiences in Oberkirchen

The witch walk in Oberkirchen offers a unique combination of local history and storytelling. The route leads to the dungeon. Afterwards, participants are invited to coffee and cake in the hostess’s living room. For your travel planning, this is another way to get to know Oberkirchen: the focus is not only on the landscape and trails but also on a themed itinerary with a personal conclusion.

The “Kirche” bus stop served by bus route S 40 is located directly at the starting point of the Golddorf Route Oberkirchen. Anyone planning an excursion using public transport therefore has a specific point of orientation for travelling to this trail. Information about travel times or further connections is part of your personal day planning.

Choose the right holiday apartment as a base

When searching for a holiday apartment in Oberkirchen, you can align your priorities with the days you wish to spend on holiday. If the trip is primarily intended to include nature trails and landscapes, the Golddorf Route, the Ennest and the Hartmecketalweg O1 take centre stage. If you are more interested in history, the five historic sites, St. Gertrud and the water mill offer themes of their own. The witch walk adds a special experience with coffee and cake to this selection.

Several of the trails described begin in Oberkirchen or lead back there. This can be taken into account as a general planning consideration when choosing accommodation, without linking individual trails or sights for which no specific distance is given. If you are travelling with children or across several generations, choosing according to your preferred daily rhythm can help: exercise, observing nature, culture and a themed experience can be considered as different focuses.

Discover more places

For comparison with other destinations, you can also include Menkhausen, Nordenau, Altenilpe, Oberhenneborn, Westfeld, Bödefeld, Gleidorf and Fleckenberg in your travel planning.

For the overview of the wider area: Schmallenberg.