Sauerland high-altitude flight: From Meinerzhagen to Nordhelle

The stage on the Sauerland-Höhenflug from the Meinerzhagen entry point starts at the Schallershaus entry portal. The entry point is easily accessible via the Meinerzhagen exit of the A 45 highway. There are plenty of parking spaces at the entry point as well as extensive information boards where hikers can find out about the route of the Sauerland-Höhenflug. Right at the entrance portal, you can enjoy the first beautiful view of the town's landmark: the Meinhardus-Mattenschanze. Since 1982, the current ski jump has been a training and competition site for various ski associations, with a distance record of 68.6 m.The Sauerland-Höhenflug leads through meadows and forests, always with a view of the ski jump, to the moated castle of Badinghagen, which is hidden deep in the forest and offers a romantic sight with its ditches and ponds, although it is not open to the public. After Badinghagen, the trail climbs steeply along a narrow path, then runs idyllically through meadows and forests on the ridge. The Höhenflug passes the village of Kropplenberg and after another 2 kilometers reaches the village of Hellsiepen, which consists of just two houses. Now the elevation gain increases again, but the climb is rewarded with a magnificent view over the Sauerland! Take a seat on a bench and enjoy the panoramic view!At Buntelichte, you will pass a ground monument that represents part of the historic road from Frankfurt to Amsterdam. Right next to the A 45 highway, nowhere else can you follow the development from ancient cart tracks to today's highways!Another highlight of the stage awaits you in Möllsiepen. The Sauerland high-altitude airport was created at Gasthaus Eckern as part of an educational project by the Nestor educational institute. Wooden airplanes in different colors and shapes whirl through the air and make you experience "height" in a whole new way. Enjoy the view over the high-altitude airport and the Listertal valley while taking a break on a comfortable forest sofa. Below Möllsiepen, the hiking trail briefly follows the K 4, but then turns into a beautiful meadow path through a nature reserve in the Liese valley. Near Österfeld, the Höhenflug crosses the country road coming from Valbert.On the way towards Hösinghausen, there are always beautiful views back over the Liese valley with the course of the Sauerland-Höhenflug towards Möllsiepen. Shortly after Hösinghausen is the Quellental hiking parking lot. Young hikers can use an Archimedes spiral to draw water from the Hösinghausen stream and let it flow back through various natural stone channels. A Sauerland bench also invites you to take a break. Narrow paths, lush fern vegetation and the nearby Ochsenmoor take hikers back to earlier times in the history of the earth. The high-altitude route continues up to the Koppenkopf, where there is a refuge and a memorial stone.Hikers experience fascinating and untouched nature as they cross the narrow wooden footbridge through the "Wilde Wiese" moorland area. The nature reserve is part of the Ebbemoore, which has been designated an FFH area due to its rarity. Many rare animal and plant species such as peat moss, cranberry, bog lily and the raised bog fritillary butterfly can be found in these hillside and spring moors (listen to the Sauerland-Höhenflug podcast!).The Höhenflug continues steadily uphill through the wild and romantic nature reserve. Below the Nordhelle, the trail comes across a 250-year-old brand tree. The gnarled copper beech served as a border tree, marking the boundary of the Herscheider Mark.The Sauerland-Höhenflug reaches the Nordhelle via a natural path. At 663 m above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the Ebbegebirge. Next to a hiking restaurant is the Robert-Kolb-Tower on the summit, which was built in 1913 and named after the then head hiking warden of the Sauerland Mountain Association. From here, you have a wonderful view over the Märkischer Kreis district. The 130 m high WDR broadcasting tower is also located on the Nordhelle. This is where the stage ends.