This practical guide contains everything you need to know for a perfect vacation. We want you to have a wonderful time with us, exploring our beautiful landscapes and experiencing authentic encounters, memorable impressions, and local delights.
This guide will give you a quick overview of the many “things to know” – from the best places to go to our cultural highlights, shopping tips, food & drink, and more. If you have specific questions, please contact us personally or check out our digital offers, which are constantly updated.
Culinary tours in and around Schmallenberg and Eslohe are easy to combine with specially guided hikes or other activities. Check the calendar to find out what events will take place on your selected dates or explore the many activities we have to offer. With the Schmallenberger Sauerland Card (guest card), you can benefit from deep discounts and direct booking online.
›› Events
Enjoy unforgettable moments
Culture, folklore, partying, hiking, sports, new experiences: Schmallenberg and Eslohe have a lot to offer. Choose the vacation activities that are best for you.
GOOD TO KNOW
›› Authentic and delicious
Food & drink in Schmallenberg and Eslohe
What would you like to eat? Hearty fare at a cozy little restaurant? Cold cuts and cheese or a slice of cake at one of our hiking huts? Or an exquisite five-course meal with just the right wines? The choice is all yours – you’ll find all these culinary delights here in our region.
›› Enjoy leisurely strolls
In Schmallenberg, Eslohe and Bad Fredeburg
Schmallenberg, Bad Fredeburg, and Eslohe all share a charming atmosphere: quaint timbered houses, leafy squares, and owner-operated shops. Here you’ll find quality products, hand-selected assortments, and helpful staff.
Delightful cafes and restaurants offer guests a refreshing break from taking in the sights. Indulge yourself with a special treat and enjoy shopping in our relaxing ambience.
Just more vacation fun!
YOUR GUEST CARDS AT A GLANCE
All vacationers receive the Schmallenberger Sauerland Card from their host or hostess after just one night’s stay. Compared to the regional SauerlandCard, which is available in various locations throughout the Sauerland, this card offers a more comprehensive package of benefits.
Schmallenberger Sauerland Card
» You can get the Schmallenberg Sauerland Card directly from your host.
» Every guest—including children of all ages—receives their own card.
» Included are free travel on public transportation and the walking bus, free admission to museums in the region, and discounts on recreational activities, swimming pools, and e-bike rentals from the Schmallenberg Tourist Information.
» All SauerlandCard services are included.
» The card is also available in digital format for smartphones.
Sauerland Card
All the benefits of the SauerlandCard, which is issued to overnight guests in various towns throughout the Sauerland, are also included in the Schmallenberg Sauerland Card:
» Numerous other discounts on admission fees for various recreational activities throughout the Sauerland region.
» Free public transportation from Schmallenberg via Winterberg to Medebach, from Marsberg to Arnsberg, from Willingen to Möhnesee, or from Hallenberg to Eslohe. - Be sure to check the schedule before you leave.
All of the information below regarding discounts on card benefits is subject to change. You can find all current discounts and exciting special offers online.
What would you like? PLACES TO GO
You’ll take home great memories from your stay here, with many unforgettable experiences and impressions. Choose the most appealing options from the wide variety of activities offered by the Eslohe vacation region and Schmallenberger Sauerland.
›› Theme parks
Fun for children and grownups
A true family experience: head out early to one of the region’s attractive theme or leisure parks and spend a day making memories. Here in Schmallenberger Sauerland and its surroundings, there are wonderful parks for every taste and age group. Whatever your choice – an exciting water slide in an Old West setting, wild animals or the petting zoo, or enjoying nature in pure form, we wish you an unforgettable vacation.
Listen to the silence. Gaze into the distance. Ground your senses. Enjoy shared family experiences. This, and much more, awaits you in the wonderful natural settings of Schmallenberger Sauerland. Many places throughout the region invite you to discover large and small animals, colorful flowers, magnificent trees, and rolling hills.
›› Playgrounds and recreation
Adventure land for young explorers
Happy children – great vacation. Let your kids imagine being a trusty or brave scout, a daring pirate or a woodland fairy with magical powers. Play fosters creativity and is just plain fun! Discover the best playgrounds for children and consider a friendly challenge to a round of mini-golf, pit-pat, or disc golf.
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PLACES TO GO
›› Guided tours & sightseeing Get to know Schmallenberg
Take a tour and get to know Schmallenberg’s history and folklore figures such as “Floigenkasper” and “Breybalg.” Whether you take a guided tour or head out on your own to discover historical or culinary highlights, our tours offer lots to see and exciting things to learn.
›› A day at the lake Relax and immerse yourself
On a hot summer day, the region’s many lakes offer a refreshing place to relax and experience unforgettable moments in an idyllic setting. Whether you want to cool off with a dip, lounge by the shore, or try water sports such as stand-up paddling or diving, the Sauerland offers an individual and relaxing oasis for everyone.
›› Movie theaters
A fun activity for rainy days
The smell of popcorn and the thrill of a good story – going to the movies is a welcome change of pace and a great rainy-day activity. Here’s a list of our nearby movie theaters.
ART & CULTURE
Cultural Discoveries!
Schmallenberger Sauerland is known for its wide variety of artists, different perspectives, lovely galleries, and many kinds of cultural events. Learn more about what’s happening in our region’s lively arts and cultural scene!
›› Museums & tours
History, culture, and traditions
To get to know the region and its people, learning a bit about its history is a great way to start. In the area’s many museums, you can get to know the legends and stories of Schmallenberg and Eslohe. And there are many other sights worth visiting, where you can absorb more of the lore, art, culture, and beliefs that shape our region.
Throughout Schmallenberger Sauerland, you will find many visible signs of faith in every village, along the roads and pathways, and in the midst of nature. These range from historically important structures with unique wall paintings and significant church organs to tiny village chapels and countless wayside shrines and wooden crucifixes. We invite you to visit these sites. Enjoy their stillness and special atmosphere.
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›› Places for the soul
Living silence
In and around our Sauerland hiking villages, 43 special sites have been designated “Sauerland·Seelenorte” – literally: “soul places,” or places that nourish the spirit. These sites include rock formations and quarries, churches and hilltops, mighty trees and underground grottoes, lakes and valleys.
All of these sites are particularly impressive, and they have a special meaning for the locals – not only today but also in earlier times. They touch people emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and evoke strong resonances. People come to these places to find renewal: to enjoy the peace and quiet, come to themselves, be inspired, gain new insights. While each “soul place” has its own story to tell, one quality unites them all: living silence.
What’s your sport? OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Whether you exercise pro-level or just for fun, Schmallenberg and the Eslohe region offer lots of fun sports and outdoor activities for your stay here – from golf to tennis, from swimming to sauna, from hiking to biking – and much more.
›› Digital tour portal
Overview of all hiking & biking trails
Our interactive tour platform features more than 300 hiking and biking tours – active and challenging, comfortable and relaxing, or especially family-friendly. The site contains detailed information about paths and trails, walking times, altitude differences, and difficulty levels.
On the platform, you can search as you like, filter the tours, and track the trail sections yourself. All tours can be downloaded as PDF or GPX files. You can also rate the tours (or read what others have to say about them) and get ideas for each tour regarding nearby activities and places to stop.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
›› A hiker’s dream
Get away and into the great outdoors!
Hiking is our region’s absolute claim to fame! A variety of trails and beautiful destinations offer great options for exploring Schmallenberg Sauerland and Eslohe on foot – easy and stress-free, thanks to our high-quality hiking infrastructure. Take time for yourself, spend special moments with your loved ones, and/or get to know other hiking enthusiasts. Experience the special living silence of our wonderful “soul places.” Discover nature and, along with it, art, history, and local color. Take part in our group hiking events and meet people from the region. In short, enjoy our region’s wealth of hiking opportunities and services.
›› Hiking bus and hiking taxis
Getting to the best hiking spots
An excellent convenience in our hiker’s paradise are our hiking bus and public transportation system: you can catch a bus from where you are staying, or go by car to your hiking destination, then take a short bus trip and hike back along an attractive route. Possibilities are almost endless. Don’t just take our word for it – see for yourself!
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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Biking
On the go on two wheels
Biking fans will find countless options for trips and tours – no matter whether you’re a pleasure biker, a mountain biker, or a tour biker. We also have family-friendly options with less steep routes. Discover our region – serenely or with an adrenaline kick, solo or with the whole family, tailored to your personal preferences.
Well-paved and detailed routes such as the bike ring (“SauerlandRadring”), the children’s bike route (“Kinderland-Radroute”), and the bike trails of the Bike-Arena Sauerland offer attractive options for everyone.
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E-bike rentals
The easy way to get to the top!
Rental stations all around Schmallenberg and Eslohe offer a range of e-bikes and tour bikes. At the Tourist Information center in Schmallenberg, you can rent tour and mountain bikes as well as e-bikes for children. Along with your two-wheeler, you’ll receive detailed handling instructions, tips on the best routes, and personal recommendations – all included in the rental fee, of course. Simply book online and you’re on your way!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
›› Golf courses in Schmallenberger Sauerland Top-notch courses in superb settings
Our golf courses are one-of-a-kind. Their stunning locations make them must-see destinations for golfers. Indulge your passion for golf at the 27-hole Panorama course in Winkhausen or the 18-hole golf course in Sellinghausen. Both are located in superb settings. As a guest and as a member, you benefit from attractive special offers, qualified training, and carefully kept grounds. Discover seemingly endless green embedded in the extraordinary mountain panorama of Schmallenberger Sauerland.
›› Other sports and recreation
Join in our region’s many activities
Schmallenberger Sauerland is a gold mine of activities for sports lovers and outdoor enthusiasts – we have something for everyone here. Lots of different sports and recreational activities are popular with the locals, and guests are welcome to join in the fun. Be it swimming, disc golf, archery, tennis, climbing, or fishing – take your pick and enjoy!
Happy days for everyone FAMILY VACATIONS
Successful family vacations need two key ingredients: happy children and happy parents. In Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Eslohe vacation region, you’ll find everything for a perfect family vacation: child-friendly places to stay, authentic nature experiences, exciting places to go, and an extra-warm and caring welcome for children. Our region offers a range of activities and services for family vacations. Places to stay include apartments and cottages at the sites run by Schmallenberg’s Kinderland hosts (incl. some working farms) or comfortable rooms in the area’s many family-friendly hotels. Special attention has gone into our varied and eventful children’s program as well as great playgrounds and family-friendly walking trails.
Family vacation program
Our family vacation program offers variety and adventure away from smart phones and tablets. The program contains many wonderful ideas for your family vacation: night-time walks, “hands-on” sight-seeing at farms, bread-making, climbing courses, handicraft workshops, and much more – perfect activities for small and adventurous explorers.
WINTER SPORTS
Worlds in white
In Schmallenberg, the best ski slopes north of the Alps are right at our doorstep. In recent years, Sauerland’s Winter Sports Arena was systematically developed into an attractive ski resort area, reliably snowy from December to March. Discover our wonderful slopes – just a one- to three-hour drive from Germany’s urban centers.
Winter hiking
Bundle up warm and hike our region’s winter wonderland. It’s a pleasure that truly frees the mind. Nature is wrapped all in white with sparkling accents; nothing disturbs the pure snowy stillness – a dream of tranquility and relaxation. The clear fresh air, a special light, and stunning panoramas provide an unforgettable experience of nature in winter. You can opt to wander along snow-plowed trails or strap on a pair of snowshoes and head out into deep untouched snow fields. No matter what your preference – Schmallenberger Sauerland’s winter wonderland will delight your senses.
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Snowfall & lift status
Ready for an unforgettable winter experience? We’ll keep you up-todate on snow conditions and the current operating status of the ski areas all around Schmallenberger Sauerland.
›› Book online: Winter activities
Your perfect winter adventure
Book your winter adventure. Be it snowshoe trekking, a hearty hiker’s fondue, stargazing and night photography, or a tour of the Hunau snow-making operations, you’ll find lots of options for perfect vacation days.
