Plettenberg – River Valleys, Forest and Trails

Plettenberg extends into the river valleys of the Lenne, Else, Grüne and Oester. The green, forested low mountain landscape offers hiking and cycling trails—from longer routes to themed trails that explore art and local history. You can tailor your stay to what matters most to you: outdoor activity, water or cultural discoveries.

Hiking and Cycling Tours in Plettenberg

The hiking trail network in Plettenberg covers 472 kilometres. There are also various options for cycling tours: the Lenneroute, an adventure cycle route, passes through Plettenberg. A 63-kilometre hiking and mountain biking route circles the town. The P-Weg is also 63 kilometres long, challenging and laid out as a circular hiking trail; it can be hiked outside Marathon weekend.

The two 63-kilometre distances refer to different tours: one is described for hiking and mountain biking, while the P-Weg is a challenging circular hike. If you prefer cycling and are interested in history, the 40-kilometre Geschichtstour XL offers another option. Its 20 historical and cultural stops lie around and throughout Plettenberg.

Art, Local History and Water

Along the former railway line on the Hestenberg, the Plettenberg Art Trail features 14 reproductions of artworks. The Plettenberg History Trail takes a different approach: information boards at notable places and buildings in town provide an insight into local history. These two themed trails invite you to discover the town not only as a starting point for longer tours, but also through its art and historic sites.

At the Oestertalsperre reservoir, you can swim, go stand-up paddleboarding and picnic by the lake; fishing and diving are also available there. AquaMagis is a leisure and adventure pool with a Caribbean-themed area and a sauna complex. So alongside hiking and cycling, water activities are another option to focus on.

More Experiences and Practical Information

The ruins of Schwarzenberg Castle are a hiking destination with impressive surviving sections of wall. The foundations date back to a castle founded more than 700 years ago; they survived the fire of 1864. If you’re interested in Plettenberg’s mining history, you can join guided visits to the Neu Glück lead ore mine.

The Sauerländer Kleinbahn railway travels through the Else Valley, bringing past decades of travel back to life. Wilhelm 9 offers e-bike and SUP board hire, as well as a bicycle garage; check whether the rental service is available before your trip.

Excursions in the wider Märkischer Kreis destination

The Märkischer Kreis covers the northwestern part of the Sauerland, south of the Ruhr region. Burg Altena is a monument of national importance; it was the site of the world’s first and therefore oldest permanent youth hostel. The German Wire Museum explores wire production, past and present, as well as the technological, social, economic and cultural history of wire. Hands-on stations invite visitors to take part.

The Luisenhütte and Balver Cave also offer their own historical highlights in the Märkischer Kreis. The Luisenhütte Experience Museum shows how iron was produced there and processed into cast products. Thanks to its archaeological finds, Balver Cave is one of Europe’s most important sites for the cultures of the Middle Palaeolithic. In the Felsenmeer Hemer, you’ll find rock formations shaped over centuries by wind, water and human activity; the area is also home to one of Westphalia’s oldest iron ore mining regions. The Felsenmeer can only be visited via designated paths, and the panoramic trail leads to viewpoints.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Altena, Hemer, Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde, Lüdenscheid, Neuenrade, Menden, Halver, Iserlohn

Back to the main travel overview: Märkischer Kreis.