Â鶹APP

Willingen Sauerland Stern Sauerland-Ost 158.jpg Photo by Michael Kramer –

Top 10 Fun Facts About The Sauerland

The Sauerland is a rural, hilly area that spreads across most of North Rhine-Westphalia. The site is heavily forested and apart from significant valleys, it’s sparsely inhabited. It is the most prominent tourist region in the area in particular for maintaining biking, cycling, water sports, and scenic recreation. 

In 1800, the western part of Sauerland was part of the Country of the Mark which was based in Altena. After World War II, Westphalia was merged with North Rhineland. The area has several artificial lakes were created on the smaller rivers by building dams to store water for the nearby Ruhr area.

The renowned summit is well known for the nearby skiing facilities, weather station, and observation tower. Plus, it has six reservoir lakes namely; Sorpesee, Biggesse, Hennesee, Listersee, Diemelsee, and Mohnsee. 

Most of the bedrock underneath Sauerland originates from the middle and upper Denovian periods. This means that the slates, sandstones, and greywackes are the most abundant rock types in Sauerland.

The limestones are still exploited in numerous quarries, and some of the caves are becoming modest attractions to tourists.

1. The Beautiful Environment

Schmallenberg-Almert Sauerland Ost 036 pk.jpg Photo by Teta –

The biodiversity in the area is the main habitat of many species within Germany, some of them are the great grey shrike, black stirk, and Eurasian eagle-owl. 

However, there have been reports of free-roaming wolves, which has wiped out in Germany until a few specimens returned to the country in 2000. 

The area has had an outbreak of bark battles that have been killing up to 60% of the area of forest in some regions of the Sauerland. In 2007, there was a cyclone that caused severe damage to the coniferous forests.

2. Towns In The Area

Willingen Sauerland Stern Sauerland Ost 375 pk.jpg Photo by Teta –

The largest town of the Sauerland is Iserlohn the other larger towns include Arnsberg, Meschede, and Ludenscheid. Sauerland has much single administrative divisions like Balve, Halver, Hemer, Attendom, and many more.

3. Stable Economy

The major valleys in the northwest represent an old industrial region, the area has availability of iron ore, and the abundance of wood and water allowed iron production before the Ruhr area.

There are only a few remains of this early heavy industry and a number of small factories still occupy the old industrial areas. 

Due to tourism, Sauerland is able to sustain itself. With a large number of tours all year round, the area is usually at a high visitation rate, compared to most German tourist sites, Sauerland is at its peak mostly in the winter season.

4. Tourism In Sauerland

Being a popular tourist area, many visitors are from the Ruhr area and the Netherlands. The picturesque small towns are attractive for hikers and outdoor sports, there is more than 30,000 km of tagged hiking trails in the region that is maintained by the Sauerland region.

Winter sports are popular in Sauerland especially the bobsleigh track in Winterberg as well as Ski jumping in Willingen. But that’s not all, the area has a successful theme park called Fort Fun. 

One of the biggest prehistoric caves in Europe is Balve Cave which is situated in Balve, the largest accessible limestone cave outside the Alps is the Atta Cave in Attendorn.

5. Transportation To Sauerland

Sauerland can be reached by car or train, the drive takes an hour from Cologne or Dortmund. However, it takes two hours from Kassel or Frankfurt- Rhine-Main, the closest commercial airport is Dortmund Airport. 

In the region, the most important means of transport used to be railways but that was between 1950 and 1990, the smaller branch lines were closed and rail travel is only present in the major valleys.

6. Sauerland Home Federation

Eslohe Haus Wenne Sauerland-Ost 464.jpg Photo by Michael Kramer –

The federation is a nonprofit NGO, its main purpose is to adhere to and honor the cultural roots, heritage, and traditions in the area.  The organization was founded by a Roman Catholic priest.

It was founded because of the experiences of World War I. With over 3,000 members there is an annual meeting which is compulsory. Over the years, it has had notable members like Theodor Propper a composer, Franz Lenze a politician, and Werner Ahrens a designer. 

The chairman of the organization is Elmar Reuter.

7. Living In Sauerland

Other than its fascinating leisure opportunities, the area has many opportunities for everyone.  With a total of 13 golf courses with fairways, greens, and ponds that enable you to improve on the sport. 

Plus, there are many ways to tour and discover Sauerland whether on your own or with a tour guide, you still get to learn about its culture and see all the historic towns and villages. 

With numerous castles, palaces, and industrial monuments, the area has a lot to offer for tourists and new additions to the community. It is the best place for a family getaway.

8. The Geology

Sauerland is part of the Rhine Massif but is separated by the Rhine valley. The area was subjected to folding and faulting and eroded to a peneplain in the Permain. Until today, the low mountain range began approximately 500,000 years ago and is still going on.

The northern part has several caves but the biggest ones are Attendorn and Balve. The area has the occurrence of lead, zinc, silver, and ores which lead to the development of considerable mining industry. 

Mining in the area lasted until the 20th century. Now, there is no active mining site in Sauerland. The limestones are still exploited, to a minor extent, in numerous quarries. 

9. Arnsberg Nature Park

Sauerland-Museum Dauerausstellung.jpg Photo by Julia Gehrmann –

Well within Sauerland lies Arnsberg Forest Nature Park, with the most remarkable sights and many trails that lead through the hills and valleys. The area is best known among tourists who enjoy nature walks and its beauty of it. 

Arnsberg park brings a lot of revenue to Sauerland due to the fact that it’s within the location of Lormecke Tower. 

10. The Castles

Sauerland has the most beautiful castles in Germany, the entire drive to each one is memorable and unforgettable. With most of the castles being in close proximity to each other, it’s hard to be tempted to visit each one and learn the history behind it.