Welleringhausen: Hiking, Geology and Local History

In Welleringhausen, hiking trails, volcanic rocks and traces of the historic landscape shape the scenery. When choosing a stay, it is helpful to consider the different hiking themes: the Volcanic Trail focuses on landscapes and plants, while the History Trail combines geological topics with local history.

Grotenberg: Nutrient-Poor Grasslands and the Volcanic Trail

Ten hectares of nutrient-poor grassland on acidic soils have been preserved on the southern slope of Grotenberg near Welleringhausen. They are considered characteristic of nutrient-depleted diabase sites on the eastern edge of the Sauerland Mountains. The volcanic rocks in the landscape around Welleringhausen are known as “volcaniclastic rocks of Welleringhausen”; they are well exposed at Grotenberg and Kuthenberg. The 6.76-kilometre Welleringhausen Volcanic Trail is an easy circular hiking route in Diemelsee Nature Park. It runs along the foot of the long-extinct Grotenberg volcano and features typical plants, including maiden pink, wild thyme and biting stonecrop.

Two Circular Trails, Different Themes

At 6.41 kilometres, the Welleringhausen History Trail is the shorter of the two circular routes described and is rated moderate; the Volcanic Trail is 6.76 kilometres long and rated easy. The distances are close, but the ratings and themes differ. Along the History Trail, information panels explain geological features and local history. These include a former Jewish settlement that has since become a deserted settlement. When choosing between the routes, you can therefore take into account both the hiking focus and the subject matter of each trail.

Mining and Traces of the Historic Landscape

There is a large diabase quarry on Kuthenberg. Collapsed mine entrances on the slopes and mining pits on the ridge bear witness to former gold and ore mining. Gold was also mined in the Ohl area on the northern slope of Hülsenberg, from the 13th to the 15th century. Today, numerous depressions in the terrain are visible there as remnants of gold-mining pits; there were also horizontal tunnels driven into the mountain. Near the deserted settlement of Wieferinghausen, traces of former paths and building sites can still be seen in the surrounding landscape. Together, these places reveal different traces of settlement and mining history, though they do not share the same historical focus.

Church, Apple Avenue and Directions

The Abraham Church in Welleringhausen is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Opening hours may change, so check before your visit. The Welleringhausen Apple Avenue preserves old apple and pear trees that still bear rare fruit able to withstand the harsh climate of the Upland Mountains. To find your way around the nature reserve, you can follow the described route: From Welleringhausen, first follow the district road for 250 metres in the direction of B 251, then turn right towards the southwest corner of the area.

Welleringhausen in the Willingen (Upland) Destination

The Uplandsteig passes Grotenberg. In the wider Willingen (Upland) destination, it is a certified quality hiking trail, 66 kilometres long, that loops around the municipality and passes through all nine of its districts. This means the local route at Grotenberg and the longer hiking trail through the municipality cover different scales: the Volcanic Trail is a 6.76-kilometre loop, while the Uplandsteig circles the municipality.

Discover more destinations: Bömighausen, Neerdar, Rattlar, Eimelrod, Usseln, Schwalefeld

Go to the main travel overview: Willingen.