Leitmar: Valley Landscapes, Limestone Cliffs and Folk Dancing

Leitmar lies in the basin-shaped head of the valley of the eastern of the Glinde’s two source streams. The generally only gently hilly terrain has several shallow spring hollows in the Bunter Sandstone area. At the northwestern exit of the village, the valley gives way to the Zechstein limestone area. There is an approximately 35 m-high valley slope there. Gentle landforms and this distinctive slope are therefore both part of Leitmar’s landscape.

Hiking and Discovering the Landscape

The 5 km circular educational trail “Around Leitmar” invites you to hike, discover and explore. Its named circular route and length provide a clear framework for exploring the landscape: the tour focuses on Leitmar rather than being just a general hiking idea.

The “Leitmarer Felsen” nature reserve lies north of Leitmar. It encompasses steep limestone cliffs, some of which are naturally free of trees. Alongside the shallow spring hollows and the valley basin, this presents a landscape of a different character: here, it is the steep limestone cliffs that give the area its distinctive character. If you like to combine landscape and outdoor activity when choosing a destination, Leitmar offers a named hiking trail and a specific nature theme.

Building History and Folk Dancing

The Catholic Church of St. Sturmius in Leitmar is a listed monument dating from 1914. The rendered building is an example of the traditionalism promoted by the heritage conservation movement, which drew on the traditional architectural forms of Sauerland Baroque churches. The slightly projecting bell tower is topped by a Welsche hood. These architectural details make the church a cultural attraction in its own right, alongside the landscape.

Another cultural facet is the Leitmar folk-dancing group. Since 1984, it has met regularly to rehearse folk dances at the former school in Leitmar. Its repertoire includes dances from Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary and other countries. The group also regularly invites visitors to its folk-dancing festival. Leitmar thus brings together building history and a cherished dance tradition, offering different interests. If you would like to plan your visit around the folk-dancing festival, check the event date in advance.

In the wider destination of Marsberg

The wider destination of Marsberg also offers other cultural attractions. In Obermarsberg, visitors can see remains of the old town wall, including the Wasserturm and Buttenturm towers. By contrast, in Leitmar the focus is on the Catholic Church of St. Sturmius and its architectural style; in Obermarsberg, it is on the surviving sections of the town wall and the two towers mentioned above.

Another attraction is the bird care station in Marsberg-Essentho, which has been in operation for over 40 years. Visits and guided tours are possible only by prior arrangement, so please arrange your visit in advance. By the Diemel near Giershagen, at the Grube Reinhard leisure facility (Meilerplatz), an information centre for biomimetics, the regional mining industry and geology is housed in an open-sided, covered multipurpose pavilion. Before planning a visit, check whether and under what conditions the information centre can be visited.

The Marsberg archery course is located on the site of a former copper mine and covers 5.9 hectares. Together, these examples showcase different themes across the wider destination: historic buildings, bird care, biomimetics and geology, as well as a site connected to former copper mining.

Choose Your Search Area Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for a place to stay, it helps to first decide what you would like to focus on. If you want to make Leitmar’s valley basin, circular trail, limestone cliffs and local cultural attractions the focus of your trip, search in Leitmar.

Discover more destinations: Helminghausen, Padberg, Obermarsberg, Bredelar, Beringhausen.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Marsberg.