Discover Andreasberg

Andreasberg is shaped by its mining history and historic settlement. At the same time, the BestWeg offers a practical reason to get to know the village on foot. If you would like to combine cultural history and hiking on your trip, these are two themes that fit well into your plans.

Miners’ Colony and Visible Heritage

Andreasberg was founded in 1854 as a miners’ colony. To this day, 19 of the original houses remain, preserving the settlement’s historic character. Together, the founding date and the houses tell the story of Andreasberg as a mining village.

The mining heritage is also still visible in the village: it includes the Carl-Haber tunnel, the Miners’ Cross and the Steigerhaus, as well as the Dörnberg spoil heaps and the historic miners’ houses along the village street. These landmarks represent different traces of mining and give the village’s history specific names. Those interested in the subject can explore them alongside the history of the settlement.

St. Barbara’s Church in Andreasberg is also included in the local BestWeg as a named landmark. It is therefore one of the landmarks to consider when planning this hike.

BestWeg, Parking and Bus Connections

The BestWeg starts and ends at the hiking information board in the centre of Andreasberg. Two parking spaces are available there; additional parking is available near the Schützenhalle. This information can help you plan the start of your hike. As practical parking information may change, please check it before you travel.

Andreasberg is also served by bus: the Andreasberg, Kirche stop is served by route R72. The route connects Bestwig, Ramsbeck, Andreasberg and Wasserfall. Bus routes and timetables may change; please check the timetable before travelling. This lets you consider two practical questions separately when choosing where to stay: where the hike starts, and which bus connection you would like to use.

More Experiences in the Wider Bestwig Destination

The wider Bestwig destination offers more hiking and nature experiences. The Plästerlegge is located near Bestwig-Wasserfall and is the only natural waterfall in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its water drops almost vertically about 20 metres over a rocky outcrop, then continues for approximately 500 metres as a torrent. The Plästerlegge is about a 20-minute walk from the car park in the centre of the village on Aurorastraße; trail conditions may vary.

Bestwig offers hiking routes of varying lengths. The Bestwiger Panoramaweg is around 60 kilometres long and follows the municipality’s ridges; it can be joined from any of Bestwig’s districts. The German Hiking Association has awarded it the “Quality Trail Wanderbares Deutschland” distinction four times in a row. The Bestwiger BestWege are circular hiking trails around Andreasberg, Heringhausen, Nuttlar, Ostwig, Ramsbeck and Velmede-Bestwig. With walking times of two to four hours, they are suitable for half-day hikes. Distance and walking time provide different points of reference when planning a day of hiking.

In Ramsbeck, the Sauerland Visitor Mine’s electric mine train travels around 1.5 kilometres through the dark Eickhoff tunnel. The R72 runs regularly from Bestwig station to the visitor mine; the Ramsbeck-Ziegelwiese stop is right outside. Please check the timetable before travelling.

The Old Corn Mill in Ramsbeck also combines the history of technology with a recurring reason to visit: it is the only surviving mill in North Rhine-Westphalia with three sets of millstones and medieval technology. It opens to visitors every year on Whit Monday, International Mill Day. The mill festival offers free guided tours; during milling demonstrations, you can watch water power turn grain into flour. Please check the date before your trip. In Ostwig, the 1.7-kilometre Schaukelweg combines nature with playful fun for the whole family and features six different swings.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Berlar, Wasserfall, Valme.

Back to the wider travel overview: Bestwig.