Discover Ober-Waroldern

Ober-Waroldern is a compact village with an irregular layout. It lies in a valley basin surrounded by forests, open to the east; the church stands centrally and on slightly higher ground. The L 3083 from Korbach to Freienhagen passes through Ober-Waroldern. The village layout, landscape and road connection give the place its distinctive character.

Village Character and Historic Traces

The church is a simple hall church dating from the 18th century. It was renovated and extended in 1856. Its location in the center of the village, on slightly higher ground, connects the building with the settlement pattern described here. Anyone interested in historic village architecture will find a specific example of the village’s development here.

Ober-Waroldern was first mentioned in 1126 under the names “Warolderon” and “Waroldoron.” The history of local lordship is also linked to Ober-Waroldern Castle, which was owned by the Counts of Waldeck. Ecclesiastically, Ober-Waroldern was a medieval parish and became independent again at the end of the 16th century. In 1706, Elleringhausen was incorporated into the Ober-Waroldern parish. The dates mark different aspects: 1126 is the first mention of the village, the end of the 16th century marks the parish’s renewed independence, 1706 marks Elleringhausen’s incorporation into the parish, and 1856 marks the work carried out on the church. This keeps the histories of the village, church and building distinct, rather than presenting them as a single stage of development.

The historic village ensemble is protected as a listed conservation area. Gut Malberg is located southwest of the village and is also protected as an ensemble. Malberg Castle and estate were a fief of Waldeck. These details add another historic point of reference to the village’s history without equating the estate with the village center.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

The Rudolfshagen nature reserve is located in a wooded area between Höringhausen and Ober-Waroldern. It is home to one of the largest populations of the small red wood ant in Central Europe. The Elbe-Twiste Trail runs through the nature reserve; in this section, it is also marked as H 2 and passes many impressive anthills.

Another nearby trail is the official Korbach K1 circular hiking trail. It is 5.5 km long and loops around the Korbacher Mark, passing ponds and a shelter near the deserted settlement of Eidinghausen. The trail is located on the L 3083 between Korbach and Strothe, just beyond the turnoff to Ober-Waroldern.

The two trails have different points of focus: the Elbe-Twiste Trail highlights the nature reserve and anthills, while the Korbach K1 follows a loop around the Korbacher Mark with ponds and a shelter. Check route details and road conditions before setting out.

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