Hemer: Felsenmeer, Cave and GeoTrail
Accommodation in Hemer
At Felsenmeer Hemer, a karst landscape is the focus of the nature experience: a free circular trail leads to viewing platforms and panoramic bridges. There is also the “Sundwiger Schätze” GeoTrail and Heinrichshöhle in the Sundwig district—a combination of landscape, trail stops and cave history that offers options for different kinds of day trips.
Felsenmeer and GeoTrail
Felsenmeer has been a nature reserve since 1968 and is part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The circular trail provides free access to the karst landscape; viewing platforms and panoramic bridges are among its notable visitor spots. Those interested in nature and geological history can also explore the “Sundwiger Schätze” GeoTrail: it is 2.6 kilometres long and has 18 stops. There are no information boards along the trail; details about the stops are available online on the Ruhrgebiet Geopark website.
The GeoTrail starts at the Heinrichshöhle car park, In den Weiden 29, 58675 Hemer. The Sundwig Meise bus stop is 50 metres away; check the current timetable before travelling by bus. The northwest route includes stops 1 to 12, while the southeast route includes stops 13 to 18. Each route is around 1.3 kilometres long, including the outward and return journeys. The stated route lengths are therefore similar; the division by stops provides another way to plan your walks.
Trails and cave history
The cave trail is also part of the GeoTrail. It is narrow and uneven and suitable for pedestrians only. The accessible alternative is the service road or cycle path running below it. As trail conditions may change, check local conditions before your visit.
Heinrichshöhle was opened to visitors between 1903 and 1905 by Heinrich Meise, the innkeeper in Sundwig at the time. A standard guided tour lasts about 40 minutes. Special themed tours, educational programmes and tours for children are also available. This makes it easy to plan the cave visit as a separate activity from exploring the trails in Felsenmeer.
Town festival and museum
The Hemer Autumn Festival has been held since 1972 and, according to the City of Hemer, is one of the region’s most popular town festivals. The programme includes fairground rides, walking acts and clowns; on Saturdays and Sundays there has also been a children’s flea market. More than 250 exhibitors offer arts and crafts, alongside food stalls; the car market and autumn fair are also part of the programme. These attractions take place on Saturdays and Sundays across an event site well over one kilometre long. The specific programme may vary from year to year.
Another place for groups to visit is the Felsenmeer Museum, run by the Hemer Civic and Local History Association. Group tours can be arranged by telephone, including outside opening hours. Arranging a visit is therefore part of planning a trip to the museum.
When choosing a holiday apartment in Hemer, the reason for your trip may be the deciding factor: Felsenmeer and a cave visit offer different experiences from a visit to the Autumn Festival.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Kierspe, Herscheid, Meinerzhagen, Iserlohn, Lüdenscheid, Menden, Plettenberg, Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde.
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