Sondern on Biggesee: Beach, water sports and trails

Sondern and neighbouring Hanemicke are right on Biggesee. There are two bathing areas nearby, as well as varied cycling and hiking trails. The area therefore combines days by the water with opportunities to get active on land. When looking for accommodation, this combination is a good starting point: consider whether bathing areas and water activities, or trails for walking and cycling, will be the deciding factor for your holiday. This lets you prioritise what matters most for your trip instead of choosing based only on a general idea of a lakeside holiday.

Swimming and water sports at Sonderner Kopf

At Sonderner Kopf, the beach offers several water activities, including slides and floating attractions such as a trampoline, climbing wall and action tower. Swimmers can easily enter the water via ladders and ramps; this also applies to people with reduced mobility. If you are planning a day at the beach, check the current operating status in advance.

The Biggesee Diving School is located directly beside the beach at the “Vier Jahreszeiten” campsite at Sonderner Kopf in Olpe. It has its own diving area, named “Sonderner Kopf”, and offers diving equipment rental, diving courses, excursions and trips. Visits are by arrangement, so check in advance whether the service you want is available on your chosen date. This helps distinguish a day at the beach from a stay that includes a specific diving activity.

At Biggesee in Olpe-Sondern, NamaSteg rents stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and fishing boats. The service operates by arrangement or during events; check in advance whether your preferred type of boat is available on your chosen date. The offerings also differ in terms of planning: NamaSteg rents boards and boats, while the diving school also offers courses, excursions and diving equipment. This can help you choose a water activity that suits your interests.

Hiking, the railway station and passenger cruises

Hiking also has a direct connection to the area: the Bigge-Lister-Weg leads to Sondern railway station. There, you can transfer directly to a passenger cruise on Biggesee. If you want to combine the trail and a cruise in one day, check the current timetable in advance. The station received the NRW Hiking Station award in 2020. It therefore serves two distinct purposes for planning: it is the destination of the trail and also provides access to the cruise service.

Religious sites and connections

At Diehlberg in Sondern, the wayside shrine “Madonna am Weg” is a pilgrimage stop on the Franz-Hitze-Pfad. It offers a specific point of interest for anyone interested in religious wayside markers. Another church-related landmark is Maria-Hilf-Kirche in Sondern: the St. Cyriakus Rhode parish looks after it as a branch church in the so-called Kirchspiel Rhode. These are two distinct connections: the wayside shrine is a stop on the pilgrimage route, while the church belongs to the St. Cyriakus Rhode parish.

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