Sellinghausen

Sellinghausen combines traces of history, seasonal traditions and a wide range of outdoor activities. The best way to experience the village is along the Sellinghausen Miners’ Trail: the 6.7-kilometre circular hiking trail roughly follows the route taken by miners from Sellinghausen and Altenilpe to the slate mine in Heiminghausen in the 19th century. This makes Sellinghausen a destination for anyone who wants to combine physical activity with a tangible insight into the history of working life.

Hiking in the footsteps of mining

The Miners’ Trail has an elevation difference of approximately 300 metres and includes several steep sections. Seven information boards explain the miners’ working lives and the importance of their workplaces to the development of Sellinghausen and Altenilpe. The trail is marked with a thematically appropriate hiking symbol featuring a hammer and pick. Both the distance and the elevation gain are important reference points when planning your day.

The historic connection dates back almost 100 years: miners from Sellinghausen and Altenilpe used the footpath to reach their workplace, the Felicitas slate mine in Heiminghausen. Anyone looking for more than just scenery while hiking, and also seeking a narrative connection to the past, will find a clearly defined focus for their stay here.

Chapel and vibrant village traditions

The St. Blasius Chapel is part of the village’s history. It was built in 1887 and ceremonially consecrated on 5 July 1887. On 27 February 1998, it was added to the list of historic monuments of the town of Schmallenberg. The chapel adds a religious dimension to Sellinghausen’s historic character.

Seasonal traditions also shape the character of the village. These include the costumed procession of schoolgirls on Weiberfastnacht and the gathering of flowers for the Corpus Christi carpets. On 22 February, the schoolboys walk through the village singing and carrying wooden hammers to drive away winter and lure out the sun bird. Such traditions add a cultural touch to trip planning that goes beyond purely leisure-oriented activities.

Winter sports and winter hiking

During the cold season, the Sellinghausen winter sports centre offers several options. The ski lift provides access to two slopes measuring 600 and 1,000 metres respectively. The winter sports centre also has three circular cross-country ski trails and a toboggan lift. In the area around the ski lift, there are groomed paths for winter hikes through the wintry landscape. At several points, the Somberg cross-country ski trail offers views across the northern Schmallenberg Sauerland.

This means that Sellinghausen can be planned around different priorities depending on the time of year: in winter, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing and groomed hiking paths take centre stage; outside these activities, the Miners’ Trail can define the active part of your stay.

Ideas for shared experiences

The Sellinghausen Easter Trail is aimed at children and adults. Along the seasonal themed trail, participants solve tasks, and children can collect a prize at the finish. For families, this is a practical way to combine an outing with a playful challenge without losing sight of the village’s historic and scenic character.

Anyone looking for another activity with a view can include Sellinghausen Golf Club in their plans. There are wonderful views from every hole. The golf school at the golf course offers individual and group lessons, introductory golf courses, intensive courses for beginners and advanced players, as well as courses leading to the attainment of playing proficiency.

The right accommodation for your trip planning

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Sellinghausen, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel focus in advance. At Grünewalds Eiche village square, part of the trunk of the former oak tree serves as a table with a glass top and historical information about the village; a water station and benches invite hikers to stop and rest. Sellinghausen is also served by the Schmallenberg Bürgerbus community bus. Those who prefer historic paths and village history can focus on the Miners’ Trail and St. Blasius Chapel. For a winter trip, the winter sports centre, circular cross-country ski trails and groomed winter hiking paths are key points of reference. Families can take the seasonal Easter Trail into account, while golf enthusiasts can plan around the golf course and the golf school’s offerings. In this way, the choice of accommodation depends on the experiences you want to shape your trip, without turning the individual options into one uniform programme.

If you would like to extend your trip planning to other places, you can also include Bad Fredeburg, Oberrarbach, Oberkirchen, Gellinghausen, Lenne, Menkhausen, Kirchilpe and Kirchrarbach in your selection.

For the overall travel overview: Schmallenberg.