Sauerland-Höhenflug: Three towers - two Sauerland-Seelenorte - nature galore

The Rothaarsteig initially leads hikers out of the city center and past the winter sports facilities for which Winterberg is so famous. On the Herrloh, there is a wonderful view over parts of the ski lift carousel. The St. Georg ski jump can also be viewed from close up. In both summer and winter, you have the chance to watch top sporting performances there. Since 2000, the ski jump has been converted into a year-round facility and attracts even more visitors. Past the half-hour cross, other ski lifts and a climbing forest, the Rothaarsteig leads hikers unerringly to the Kahler Asten. On the northern slope, it meets the Sauerland-Höhenflug. From here, follow the Sauerland-Höhenflug trail sign (white H on a yellow background).At 841.9 m, the Kahler Asten is probably the most famous mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition to a mountain inn, the tower also houses a natural history exhibition. From the viewing platform, you can enjoy a magnificent view far beyond the Sauerland! The heathland nature trail runs across the Kahler Asten, informing you about the rare and endangered nature on the Kahler Asten, among other things. The vegetation consists mainly of heather, bristle grass and bilberry. Trees hardly grow in the harsh climate. This Hochheide is a habitat that has become rare today; the tree pipit and meadow pipit, among others, breed here and is therefore protected as a nature reserve of international importance (FFH area). Walk briefly to the Lennequelle spring before descending towards Mollseifen (the high route briefly crosses the parking lot below the observation tower. Caution: the entrance to the Sauerland-Höhenflug trail from the parking lot is difficult to spot). The Höhenflug leads steeply downhill to Helleplatz, crosses it and now leads to the idyllic and quiet forest village of Mollseifen. On the way, the trail passes an impressive geological fault, which brings the fascinating and powerful elemental force of the earth to life. If you have not stopped for refreshments on the Kahler Asten, you should fortify yourself in Mollseifen for the rest of the hike, as there are no other refreshment stops on this stage to Hallenberg.In Mollseifen, the high-altitude trail passes the ski hut and then turns left into a spruce forest at the hiking cross. The path first climbs, then descends again through a cyrillic area to the Lose Holz crossroads, before climbing again through young beech trees, whose branches form a magnificent canopy, to the summit of the Siebenahorn (Sauerland-Seelenorte). Up here at 690 m is the Femegericht Freie Stuhl, an old court where crimes such as murder, robbery and perjury were tried between 1375 and 1580. Seven maples have been planted to commemorate this historic site. A rest area invites you to take a break.The high-altitude route to Ziegenhellen leads along natural paths, past the sparse forests of the nature reserve around Osterkopf and Moselkopf. The summit can be reached via a narrow and steep path. There is a refuge and a 13-metre-high observation tower on the Ziegenhellen. The first mentions of a tower on the 815 m high Ziegenhellen date back to the 19th century. However, the current observation tower was only inaugurated in 2011 after the previous tower was demolished for safety reasons. You can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view from the viewing platform. In particular, the Kahler Asten and the ski jump near Winterberg are clearly visible as landmarks. The rest of the route to the third viewing tower, the Heidkopf Tower, is also characterized by quiet, natural paths. The Heidkopf tower is located on the summit of the 703 m high mountain of the same name. The Heidkopf forms the easternmost foothills of the Ziegenhellen massif and is also the junction to Medebach Bay. From its viewing platform, there is a fantastic panoramic view over parts of the Rothaargebirge, Hallenberg and parts of Medebach Bay, across to the Kellerwald and Habichtswaldforests.The trail leads steeply downhill through forests towards Hallenberg. Above Hallenberg, you can enjoy one last view of Hallenberg itself and the further course of the Höhenflug towards Medelon on the opposite side of the mountain. The Sauerland-Höhenflug runs directly through the historic town center of Hallenberg. Just a little further on, you will come across another Sauerland-Seelenorte, the Unterkirche Hallenberg. The half-timbered ensemble around the parish church of St. Heribert with the Petrusbrunnen fountain and the Kump is also impressive. The hike ends at Heinrich-Hugo-Platz on the B 236.