Bilstein und Rosenberg – From Bilstein over the Rosenberg Mountain

Bilstein Castle is conspicuously located high above the Veischede Valley. Once the seat of the noble lords of Gevore and later the first administrative headquarters of the District of Olpe, which was founded in 1817, it is today one of the most popular youth hostels in Westfalen-Lippe. The castle is perched on the flank of the Rosenberg Mountain, whose old deciduous forests are preparing to become a "primeval forest of tomorrow". The rock on which the castle stands is of volcanic origin. However, the nature reserve holds not only the widespread species-poor Woodrush-Beech Forest community, but also more demanding forest communities such as the Millet Grass-Woodrush-Beech Forest and Sweet Woodruff-Beech Forest. Long-established residents of old-growth forests like the Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Black Woodpecker have recently been joined by the rare Middle Spotted Woodpecker.