Elpe: Nature, Circular Trails and Discoveries in the Village

Elpe combines nature experiences and waymarked hiking trails with discoveries in the village. The “Upper Elpe Valley” nature reserve is close by: it protects an unbuilt, open and largely intact upland valley. The reserve includes the natural upper reaches of the Elpe with riverside trees, a spring-fed stream, and wet and nutrient-poor grassland. You can therefore make the natural environment, walking routes and local sights different focuses of your stay.

Valleys and seasonal nature

North of Elpe, the “Elpe and Bremecke Valleys” nature reserve covers a stretch of the Elpe floodplain about 2 km long. A hike starting in Elpe also takes you to the Plästerlegge, a waterfall that is a spectacular sight, especially in winter and spring. If you are interested in the hike, it offers a distinctive seasonal highlight alongside the protected valley landscape.

Hiking trails with a choice of routes

The Elpe E1 Panorama Circular Trail starts in the village centre and climbs along the Hirtenweg. This moderately difficult, 10 km circular hike is marked E1, passes through the “Krauseholz with Chapel” area and offers views of Elpe. Its starting point in the village, circular route and waymarking give the hike a clear course to help you plan.

The Elpe E3 offers a different experience: marked with the E3 waymark, it heads towards Altenfeld, passing the hang-gliding site on the way to the waterfall. From there, it returns to the village via the “auf'm Kipp” area. Elpe also has numerous hiking trails covering around 160 km through the surrounding area, with views of the landscape. There are plenty of benches for a rest; local offerings also include a barbecue area and idyllic horse-drawn carriage rides.

Air sports and Kneipp water therapy

Paragliding is another of Elpe’s highlights. Papillon Paragliding’s Sauerland paragliding school offers beginner courses throughout the season. Its take-off and practice slopes are large, free of obstacles and open to winds from all directions. Air sports have a long tradition in the village: in 1977, Elmar Müller’s father opened the “West German Hang Gliding School” here.

The Elpe Kneipp footbath is another local offering, inviting visitors to try Kneipp water therapy. Alongside hiking and air sports, water treatments are therefore another distinct interest to explore.

Church, window art and village centre

The village centre is home to the Laurentius Fountain, inaugurated on 10 August 2007, and the Roman Catholic Church of St Lucia. Its geometrically ornamented windows were made by Vincenz Pieper in 1955 and consist of antique glass and lead. The materials and design give the church a distinctive detail to look out for when visiting local sights.

These different highlights can help you shape the character of your stay without reducing every activity to the same type of holiday.

Discover more destinations

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

Back to the main travel overview: Olsberg.