Discover the waterfall and the Plästerlegge

For a visit to Wasserfall, one natural attraction takes centre stage: the Plästerlegge. From the car park on Aurorastraße in the centre of Wasserfall, you can reach the Plästerlegge in about 20 minutes on foot. The waterfall is accessible only on foot, and the path is unsuitable for pushchairs.

Path, resting place and information

The approach to the falls includes a resting place below the waterfall and information boards about the flora and the Plästerlegge nature reserve. This means there is more to focus on during your visit than just the water: the boards also draw attention to the plant life and protected area, while the resting place offers a chance to take a break.

A natural attraction that changes with the seasons

After longer dry spells, the Plästerlegge can dry up. During the summer months, vegetation can restrict the view of the waterfall. The amount of water and visibility are therefore two distinct aspects that can change with natural conditions. If the waterfall itself is the main focus of your outing, take both into account when setting your expectations for the visit.

More outings in the wider Bestwig destination

In the wider Bestwig destination, the Bestwig Panorama Trail offers a longer hiking option: the route is around 60 kilometres long and runs along the ridges of the municipality of Bestwig. You can start from any district of the municipality. The trail has been awarded the “Quality Trail Wanderbares Deutschland” designation by the German Hiking Association four times in a row.

The Bestwiger BestWege offer a different kind of tour. These circular trails run around Andreasberg, Heringhausen, Nuttlar, Ostwig, Ramsbeck and Velmede-Bestwig. With walking times of two to four hours, they are ideal for half-day hikes. Their approximate walking times make the BestWege a practical option if you are planning to spend half a day hiking.

For a shared nature experience with a playful touch, there is the Ostwig Swing Trail, which combines nature with fun for the whole family. It is 1.7 kilometres long and features six different swings. This makes it very different from the hiking trails in the wider Bestwig area in both length and the kind of experience it offers.

In Ramsbeck, the electric mine train at the Sauerland Visitor Mine travels around 1.5 kilometres through the dark Eickhoff tunnel. Bus route R72 runs regularly from Bestwig station to the visitor mine; the “Ramsbeck-Ziegelwiese” stop is right outside. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable in advance.

The Old Grain Mill in Ramsbeck also combines history with an engaging insight into a traditional craft: 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 includes free guided tours; during the milling demonstrations, you can watch water power grind grain into flour. Check the date of Mill Day for the relevant year before you travel.

The differences are important when planning your time: the Plästerlegge is reached on foot, the Bestwiger BestWege are half-day hikes, and a visit to the mill is tied to Whit Monday. This gives you a way to weigh up the nature experience, hiking time and date-dependent cultural visit when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Andreasberg, Berlar, Valme.

Back to the overview of destinations: Bestwig.