Discover Bruchhausen: Rocks, Trails and a Moated Castle

The Bruchhauser Steine bring together natural and historical features that define Bruchhausen as a travel destination. They were designated a National Natural Monument in 2017 and lie within the Sauerland-Rothaargebirge Nature Park. They are also sites where rare glacial relicts grow, a traditional nesting site for the peregrine falcon, and an integral part of a prehistoric hillfort. Special plant habitats, wildlife and archaeological traces can therefore be found side by side.

A nature experience with a specific viewpoint

On the archaeological trail, the 45-metre-high Feldstein offers views of the Teutoburg Forest in good visibility. Visibility is part of the experience: the Teutoburg Forest can be seen when conditions are clear. Visitors interested in the Bruchhauser Steine can explore nature and archaeology together here. The rocks are more than just a scenic viewpoint; their significance ranges from providing a habitat for rare glacial relicts to their history as part of a hillfort.

Hiking trails with different destinations

The Olsberg Chapel Circular Trail leads to the Marienkapelle in Bruchhausen. The chapel lies at the foot of the Istenberg. The Ginsterkopf Tour offers a different route: it follows the Rothaarsteig below the Bruchhauser Steine and continues to Bruchhausen. This gives you two distinct options: one route has the Marienkapelle as its destination, while the other focuses on the stretch below the rocks and the continuation to Bruchhausen. When planning your day, you can start by choosing the destination you prefer.

Experience Schloss Bruchhausen from the outside

Schloss Bruchhausen is a historic moated castle at the foot of the Bruchhauser Steine. Its grounds can be visited. As the castle is occupied by its owners, the interior is not open to visitors. In practical terms, you can include an exterior view of the moated castle in your stay, but a visit inside is not possible. This historic site complements the nature and hiking destinations without requiring you to plan an indoor visit.

More activities, each with a different focus

The Sternrodt ski area has a separate, beginner-friendly children's and practice lift. The Sternrodler mountain toboggan run offers a different experience: riders are first pulled 300 metres uphill, then descend through seven bends at speeds of up to 45 km/h. The lift focuses on practice and winter sports, while the toboggan run offers a winding descent. These differences give you specific points to consider when adding a range of activities to your travel plans.

More options in the wider destination of Olsberg

The wider destination of Olsberg offers further nature and leisure activities. The Kneipp WanderWeg Olsberg is a 40-kilometre quality trail certified by “Wanderbares Deutschland”, with six natural Kneipp treading pools. At the Kneipp ErlebnisPark in Olsberg, ten Kneipp-RastOrte invite visitors to experience Kneipp’s five elements with all their senses. The AquaOlsberg Sauerland thermal baths combine brine and Kneipp treatments with sports and leisure facilities; their amenities include a 25-metre sports pool with water heated to 28°C. In the Olsberg area, longer hiking trails, Kneipp experiences and water activities offer a different focus from the rocks, hiking destinations and moated castle in Bruchhausen.

Choose the right base for your stay

When looking for accommodation, you can start by deciding which themes you want to shape your stay. If the Marienkapelle or Schloss Bruchhausen are your points of interest, focus your search on Bruchhausen. If you would also like to include attractions in the wider destination of Olsberg, take them into account when planning your locations and activities. This way, your choice of search area reflects the places you want to put at the heart of your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Antfeld, Gierskopp, Elpe, Elleringhausen, Wiemeringhausen, Assinghausen, Wulmeringhausen.

Back to the wider travel overview: Olsberg.