Berlar: Hiking, Village Life and Horses

Berlar combines rural village character with hiking trails and equestrian activities. The village has the charm of a traditional farming community, with five full-time agricultural businesses, including three dairy farms, as well as a chicken farm and a horse boarding stable. If you are looking for a hotel in Berlar, these themes can help guide your choice of stay.

Hiking around Berlar

The Berlar BL9 circular trail runs through the woods around Berlar. It is rated moderate, is 6.5 kilometres long, and has 180 metres of ascent and 183 metres of descent. The distance, elevation gain and rating offer different points of reference for planning. When comparing routes, it is best to keep these details separate: the distance and elevation profile are specific measurements, while “moderate” is the stated difficulty rating.

The Bestwig Panorama Trail is on a different scale: it runs via Raviele and Ostfeld to Berlar and is around 60 kilometres long. Within the wider Bestwig destination, the route follows the municipality’s ridges. This gives you two distinct hiking options: a 6.5-kilometre circular walk and a considerably longer route with a different course.

Horses and village history

At Berger Riding School, beginner lessons in the indoor arena can be booked on request, subject to school-horse availability, alongside any course. Riding helmets are available to borrow. Check whether lessons are available before booking so you can take this condition into account when planning.

The old bakehouse by Stehling-Witthöfer farm is also part of the rural village scene: bread is baked there several times a year. St. Peter and Paul Chapel adds a historical note. Its foundation stone was laid in 1882—a specific date that forms part of Berlar’s history alongside its present-day hiking and equestrian themes.

There is a free public hiking car park in front of the riding stables. If you plan to use it for a hike, check the local situation before setting off, as conditions may change.

More options in the wider Bestwig destination

The Bestwiger BestWege are circular hiking trails around Andreasberg, Heringhausen, Nuttlar, Ostwig, Ramsbeck and Velmede-Bestwig. With walking times of two to four hours, they are suitable for half-day hikes. This time estimate offers a different way to plan than the distance of the Berlar circular trail.

One natural attraction in Bestwig is Plästerlegge near Bestwig-Wasserfall, the only natural waterfall in North Rhine-Westphalia. The water drops around 20 metres almost vertically over a rocky ledge and then continues for about 500 metres as a torrent. Plästerlegge is about a 20-minute walk from the car park in the centre of the village on Aurorastraße; trail conditions may vary.

At the Sauerland Visitor Mine, an electric mine train travels around 1.5 kilometres through the dark Eickhoff tunnel. Bus route R72 runs regularly from Bestwig station to the visitor mine in Ramsbeck; the “Ramsbeck-Ziegelwiese” stop is right outside. Check the timetable before travelling.

The Old Grain Mill in Ramsbeck is the only surviving mill in North Rhine-Westphalia with three sets of millstones and medieval technology. It opens every year on Whit Monday, International Mill Day; check the date before travelling. The mill festival includes free guided tours. During the milling demonstration, you can watch water power grind grain into flour.

Discover more destinations: Valme, Wasserfall, Andreasberg.

See the wider travel overview: Bestwig.