Choose a language
Plan a route here Copy route
Theme trail recommended route

History and Nature Trail Altena

Theme trail · Sauerland
Responsible for this content
Märkischer Kreis Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Hexentanzplatz
    Hexentanzplatz
    Photo: Melanie Jens, Märkischer Kreis
Forget the stuffy classrooms and look forward to the "green classroom". Sheer nature is what the 3 km long history and nature trail offers, for the young and old. Plaques and signs outline the domestic flora and fauna. With a bit of luck, you will see the forest inhabitants from nearby.
moderate
Distance 1.6 km
0:35 h
92 m
34 m
301 m
211 m

The beginning of the path is opposite Altena castle and it leads to the circular Altenaer Höhen route. The first part of the educational trail will inform you about the Altena castle, the German Youth Hotel Association that was set up in Altena as well as about the development of Altena with its wire and metal industry.   

The further you walk into the wood, the information will focus on that wood. Plaques on the side of the road introduce the forest inhabitants and if you're lucky you will actually see one or more of them.

You will also pass a forest tipi and a mythical well. You might even forget about the Steinsbörnchen, about which you will have learned more during the exciting ride with the adventure elevator to the Altena castle. The end of the circular route is at the green classroom where you can sit down, enjoy the beautiful view of hilly Altena and that provides interesting information regarding flora, fauna and environmental protection on various plaques and signs. 

Author’s recommendation

The Sauerland alpine club gladly accompanies guests on the nature trail to give further explanations and details about the flora and fauna (only in german language). Bookings can be made by telephone: +49 (0) 2352 3934 or +49(0)160 8011 623. The alpine club also offers project education for school classes of all ages, including the construction of nest boxes or insect hotels. Central theme is always the forest as habitat.
Profile picture of Melanie Jens
Author
Melanie Jens
Update: November 09, 2021
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
301 m
Lowest point
211 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Dirt road 24.05%Forested/wild trail 18.54%Path 57.39%
Dirt road
0.4 km
Forested/wild trail
0.3 km
Path
0.9 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Haus Pilling

Tips and hints

Stadt Altena (Westf.)

Tel. 02352 3370944

tourismus@altena.de

www.visitaltena.de 

Start

Burg Altena (210 m)
Coordinates:
DD
51.298495, 7.675226
DMS
51°17'54.6"N 7°40'30.8"E
UTM
32U 407640 5683852
w3w 
///firm.unique.players

Destination

Burg Altena

Turn-by-turn directions

The history and nature trail begins opposite the Altena castle and leads as a circular walk around the black stone. When you get to the forest tipi you can make a detour up and down Zickzack.  

Public transport

Ein Zugangsweg  vom Bahnhof Altena führt zum Startpunkt des Naturlehrpfades am Friedrichstor der Burg Altena (Fritz-Thomée-Straße).

By road

Von der Autobahn A45 (Sauerlandlinie) fahren Sie an der Ausfahrt Lüdenscheid-Nord ab und folgen dann der Beschilderung nach Altena.

Von der A46 nehmen Sie die Ausfahrt Iserlohn-Oestrich und folgen dann den Schildern nach Altena.

Parking

Parkplatz "Am Langen Kamp"

Coordinates

DD
51.298495, 7.675226
DMS
51°17'54.6"N 7°40'30.8"E
UTM
32U 407640 5683852
w3w 
///firm.unique.players
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendations for this region:

Show more

Recommended maps for this region:

Show more

Equipment

Festes Schuhwerk wird empfohlen.

Questions and answers

Ask the first question

Would you like to the ask the author a question?


Rating

Write your first review

Help others by being the first to add a review.


Photos from others


Difficulty
moderate
Distance
1.6 km
Duration
0:35 h
Ascent
92 m
Descent
34 m
Highest point
301 m
Lowest point
211 m
Circular route Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest

Statistics

  • Content
  • Show images Hide images
Features
2D 3D
Maps and trails
  • 4 Waypoints
  • 4 Waypoints
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
Lowest point  m
Push the arrows to change the view