Altenilpe: Hiking and Local History

Altenilpe offers two clear starting points when planning a hotel stay: the history of St. Lucia’s Church and hiking trails with different routes. The AL4 circular trail starts in Altenilpe; the S8 circular trail runs through the village and the Ilpe Valley. The Sellinghausen Miners’ Trail also provides a historical connection to slate mining.

Hiking trails around Altenilpe

The AL4 starts in Altenilpe, runs below Sellinghausen along the Ilpe spring, and returns to its starting point through part of the wooded Schmallenberg Sauerland. Its starting point and endpoint are therefore clearly located: both are in Altenilpe. The Ilpe spring and the wooded section shape the route. Before setting out, it is advisable to check trail conditions, as they can vary.

The S8 circular trail offers different points of reference: it runs through Altenilpe and around the Ilpe Valley, crosses the Ilpe, passes St. Lucia’s Church, and continues through meadows and then a wooded area towards Hengsiepen and Nierentrop. In comparison with the AL4, the Ilpe crossing and the transition from meadows to woodland are the main features; the church adds a historical connection to the route. When comparing the two trails, you can use these differences in local and landscape features as a guide.

The Sellinghausen Miners’ Trail is a 6.7-kilometre circular hiking trail with an elevation gain of almost 300 metres and several steep sections. You can take its length, elevation gain, and steep sections into account when planning your route. Historically, the trail largely follows the footpath that many miners from Sellinghausen and Altenilpe used for almost 100 years to get to their workplace: the Felicitas slate mine in Heiminghausen. In addition to its specific route profile, the hike therefore has a connection to the history of the miners and their journey to work. Check trail conditions before setting out.

St. Lucia and local history

Around 1600, a chapel dedicated to St. Jodocus was mentioned in Altenilpe; it was in disrepair and was demolished in 1888. In 1890, an earlier chapel in Altenilpe was replaced by a much larger chapel dedicated to St. Lucia. St. Lucia is a three-bay hall church dating from 1921, which incorporates part of the 1890 chapel. The terms describe different features: “three-bay” refers to the division into three bays; “hall church” describes a church building with naves of approximately equal height.

Travel dates and further context

The Schützenfest of the Altenilpe-Sellinghausen shooting club takes place annually on the first weekend of August. If you plan your trip for that weekend, check the latest event dates and hotel availability in advance.

Schmallenberg should be considered separately as a broader travel destination. Schmallenberg’s old town has a consistent neoclassical architectural style and many restored half-timbered houses. Schmallenberg also has a family adventure trail about three kilometres long, with 13 stations about forests, animals, wood, and birds. These urban and nature-themed attractions add to the choice of the broader travel destination; St. Lucia and the hiking trails described here are the specific local points of interest in Altenilpe.

Discover more destinations: Oberkirchen, Bödefeld, Schanze, Kirchrarbach, Fleckenberg, Sellinghausen, Westfeld, Werntrop.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Schmallenberg.