Radlinghausen: Hiking Trails and Brilon Culture

If you’re considering Radlinghausen for days of hiking, you can compare two different route profiles: a 7 km loop from Rösenbeck with a connection to Radlinghausen, and the M5 Brilon–Madfeld, which is 10.4 km long and takes about three hours to walk. Route length, course and notable waypoints provide guidance for planning your day.

Hiking trails connected to Radlinghausen

The circular hike from Rösenbeck heads towards Radlinghausen. Along the way, it passes three old windmills before joining a field path to Radlinghausen. Both the windmills and the field path are therefore part of the described route of the 7 km loop.

A longer option is the M5 Brilon–Madfeld circular hike. It is 10.4 km long, takes about three hours and passes through and around the Forst Bredelar nature reserve. These details allow for a direct comparison with the 7 km loop: the M5 is longer and its approximate walking time is specified; the routes also differ in their respective courses.

The M5 hike starts at Kelleker Holz, which can be reached from Radlinghausen via the K60. Bus route 483 serves the Tiefer Weg stop. This provides both a named route to the M5 starting point and a bus route with a designated stop for orientation.

Brilon: city history and culture

In Brilon, the old town preserves well-maintained architecture from earlier centuries. The market square features a half-timbered ensemble; the imposing west tower of the Propsteikirche St. Petrus und Andreas is considered a landmark of the town. The town hall, built around 1250, is also a distinctive part of the townscape: its façade is Baroque, and it is considered one of the oldest town halls in Germany.

The Haus Hövener town museum is located right on the market square in the centre of Brilon and has largely been preserved in its 1910 condition. An interactive town model offers insights into life in Brilon in past centuries. The collection also includes original Iguanodon bones on display, discovered in 1978 in a quarry near Brilon-Nehden. Themed town tours can be booked through the museum; if you plan to take one, it is advisable to check availability in advance.

A distinctive Brilon tradition is the Schnadezug. It has a history of more than 620 years and has been documented as a boundary walk since 1388. The Brilon Schnadezug is one of Westphalia’s largest and most distinctive folk festivals. If you would like to plan your trip around this tradition, check the event dates in advance.

Landscape and trails in Brilon

The approximately 8 km-long Geologischer Sprung Brilon combines geological transitions with panoramic views. It brings visitors close to two distinct geological features from the Devonian period: the limestone hills of the Brilon plateau and the diabase deposits of Bilstein. Highlights include a viewing platform on the 634-metre-high Bilstein slag heap.

There are also various starting points to consider when planning walks in Brilon. The certified Rothaarsteig and certified Briloner Kammweg start at the market square. The main route of the Gewerkenweg starts or ends in Brilon at the Haus Hövener Museum. The Brilon Landscape Therapy Trail is 2.54 km long and includes the Feenklang sound installation, which alludes to Brilon’s forest fairy.

In Brilon-Nehden, the family-friendly DinoSpuren themed circular trail offers another point of interest: dinosaur tracks. The loop is about 800 metres long and has no strenuous climbs. Its length is therefore quite different from that of the longer hiking trails, offering a short route with a clearly defined theme.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Alme, Hoppecke, Gudenhagen, Brilon-Wald, Madfeld, Bontkirchen, Nehden.

Back to the main travel overview: Brilon.