Wildewiese: Natural Snow, Panoramic Views and Hiking Trails

Natural-snow skiing, hiking trails and panoramic views from Schomberg Tower shape the character of Wildewiese. The area also has traces of its history, from its former floodlighting tradition to the charcoal burners’ sites at Schlubberbruch.

Natural Snow and Winter Activities

The Wildewiese ski area lies at an elevation of 540 to 645 metres. It has five lifts, several runs ranging from 100 to 1,200 metres in length, and several groomed cross-country ski trails. The stated run lengths offer a clear guide when choosing between shorter and longer descents.

Wildewiese is an entirely natural-snow ski area. Snowmaking equipment cannot be operated there because of the water supply, so lift operations depend on natural snowfall. Almost six kilometres of slopes are floodlit for night skiing. Check the latest snow and operating information before your visit.

The ski area also has a former floodlighting tradition: in the 1970s and 1980s, a floodlit slope in Wildewiese was illuminated twice a week, making it possible to ski after dark. The toboggan run is directly to the left of the road at the entrance to the village. It is immediately accessible from the car parks via public paths.

Views, Circular Trails and Longer Stages

The 65-metre-high Vodafone radio relay tower, also known as Schomberg Tower, stands in the Wildewiese ski area. Its viewing platform is 30 metres above the ground. In clear weather, the view extends across the northern Ruhr region and the Lippeland to Münster, 85 kilometres away, the Teutoburg Forest and the radio tower near Bielefeld, 90 kilometres away.

For a direct comparison of route lengths, choose between two circular trails: “Around Schomberg in Wildewiese” is 2.7 kilometres long, marked W2 and passes Schomberg Tower. The Sauerland-Höhenflug winter hike from Wildewiese to Faulebutter is listed as an 8.5-kilometre circular route.

As a longer stage, the Sauerland-Höhenflug runs for around 19 kilometres from Altenaffeln via the mining village of Hagen to Wildewiese. The “Hagener Weg” leads from the church in Hagen through the mountains to Wildewiese. Those interested in the history of charcoal burning will find the Schlubberbruch rest area on the winter hike from the hilltop village of Wildewiese to Faulebutter: charcoal-burning families lived there until the end of the 19th century, and numerous circular kiln sites in the forests bear witness to the area’s former charcoal-burning activity.

Spring and Protected Open Spaces

Wildewiese lies by the source of the Sorpe. The “Wildewiese” landscape conservation area covers 60.9 hectares. Its designation protects the remaining open spaces around Wildewiese that are used as grassland. Together with the spring, this protected area gives the landscape a clear, local connection.

More to Explore in Sundern (Sauerland)

The wider destination of Sundern (Sauerland) includes other distinct places and experiences. Lake Sorpe is in Sundern, between the districts of Langscheid and Amecke, amid the Sauerland landscape. Amecke, on the edge of the Sauerland reservoir, is also home to the 3.4-kilometre AiRlebnisweg. It features 20 interactive stations about air, breathing and water and is fully illuminated, open year-round and completely accessible.

For an overview of the wider destination: Sundern.