Antfeld: Castle History, Church Art and Hiking Trails

Antfeld is associated with both architectural and church history, as well as hiking. The Olsberg-Antfeld castle complex, St. Mary’s Church and the Af 1 and Af 4 hiking trails each offer a different focus.

Castle Complex and Church Art

The Olsberg-Antfeld castle complex lies on the northeastern edge of Antfeld. It comprises a manor house, outbuildings, a park and an outer farmyard. The castle chapel of St. John the Baptist is also part of the architectural ensemble: it is attached to the east wing and connected to the castle by a passage above the courtyard gate.

St. Mary’s Church is another landmark in Antfeld’s architectural history. It was built between 1937 and 1938 as a variation on the Braun-style hall church. Its specific architectural form and the stated period give the church its own place in the town’s architectural history.

The Stations of the Cross in the arched walkway of St. Mary’s Church also have a history of relocation. They were formerly at Steinberg and were later moved into the church after a thorough renovation. The church’s history therefore encompasses both its construction and the Stations of the Cross’ former and later locations.

Hiking and Landscape Around Antfeld

The Antfeld Af 1 hiking route starts at the hiking information board in the town centre. It follows field and forest paths and offers views of the mountain landscape and the young Ruhr Valley. Antfeld Af 4 – the Forest Route to Olsberg – is an 8.01 km hiking tour. There are several useful points of reference when choosing a route: Af 1 is described by its starting point, path types and views; Af 4 is named the Forest Route to Olsberg and has a specific route length.

Free parking is available right beside the hiking information board in the town centre. As parking regulations may change, check the current situation before setting out. This allows you to plan your journey for a hike according to the latest local information.

There is also a natural feature in the western Antfeld forest: the stream Faule Siepen rises in Hirschbruch. The stream’s source is another feature of the local landscape, separate from the hiking trails described here.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Olsberg

Beyond Antfeld, the wider destination of Olsberg offers its own nature and culture highlights. The Bruchhauser Steine near Olsberg-Bruchhausen are a nature reserve, an FFH area and a bird sanctuary. In April 2017, they became the first National Natural Monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. A visitor centre with guided tours and several themed trails provide access to the protected rocky landscape. Between the rocks there is also a prehistoric hillfort and place of worship dating from around 500 BC.

The Kneipp offerings are also part of the wider destination of Olsberg. The Kneipp WanderWeg Olsberg is 40 kilometres long, is a “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality trail and has six natural Kneipp foot-bathing stations. Kneipp ErlebnisPark has ten Kneipp rest areas where visitors can experience Kneipp’s five elements with all their senses. The AquaOlsberg Sauerland thermal spa combines brine and Kneipp treatments with sports and leisure facilities; its listed features include a 25-metre sports pool with water heated to 28°C.

When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between the themes: Antfeld centres on the castle complex, church architecture, Stations of the Cross and the two hiking trails. The wider destination of Olsberg adds the Bruchhauser Steine and various Kneipp offerings to this focus. Choose your accommodation search according to which of these themes you want to be the main focus of your stay.

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

View the wider travel overview: Olsberg.