Discover Düdinghausen: Nature Trails and Village History

Düdinghausen lies at the foot of the 774-metre-high panoramic mountain “Kahler Pön”, within the Medebacher Bucht European Special Protection Area, the Sauerland Mountain Hiking Park and the GrenzWelten National Geopark. Its themes range from high heathland and geology to church art, local history and Easter traditions.

Landscape and trails

The Kahle Pön Nature Trail is a circular route with twelve stops. It leads from the Düdinghausen district through one of the few remaining areas of high heathland to the ridges of the Sauerland, as far as Ka-Lied. From there, you can enjoy an excellent view over the Medebacher Bucht. The Geological Circular Trail is a separate route: it includes the quarries with information panels, the sunken lane “Meggers Holtweg” and the Riepenschlucht gorge. You can choose a route according to your interests: high heathland and views are the highlights of the nature trail, while the quarries, sunken lane and gorge take centre stage on the Geological Circular Trail.

In the wider Rothaar Mountains, montane berry-shrub heaths are among the most important remnants of a vegetation type that is highly endangered in Central Europe. This regional context adds to the picture of the high heaths along the Kahle Pön Nature Trail.

Church, traditions and history

The Neo-Gothic Church of St John the Baptist is a landmark of Düdinghausen’s historic village centre. Notable features include ceiling paintings by church painter Bergenthal and numerous stained-glass panels. The church’s architectural style and artistic features thus represent different aspects of the local cultural heritage.

As part of the Easter Cross tradition, lights are arranged in the shape of a cross measuring about 15 metres on the steep slope below the chapel on Easter Sunday. The exact design may vary from year to year. Düdinghausen also holds a Way of the Cross procession every year on Good Friday to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ. Check in advance how the Easter Cross will be arranged and whether the procession will take place that year.

A pilgrimage route connects the Church of St Anthony, the Düdinghausen Resurrection Chapel, the Düdinghausen Church of St John the Baptist, the Titmaringhausen St Anthony’s Chapel, the Referinghausen Church of St Nicholas, the Deifeld Church of St John the Baptist, the St Mary’s Chapel on the Heidenstraße and the Oberschledorn Church of St Anthony. Check the current route information before your visit.

The historic court site also connects local history with views over forests and meadows. In the Middle Ages, legal matters concerning the people of the Free County of Düdinghausen were heard here.

Village history and woodturning

The Dreggestobe and the Kulturspeicher include exhibition rooms with an atmosphere reminiscent of around 1900. Small exhibitions explore the village’s history, especially its church history and the lost village of Wieferinghausen. The topics offer insights into different chapters of local history.

Woodturning demonstrations featuring bowls, wreaths and decorative items are scheduled at the Dreggestobe on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m., from March to October. Group visits at other times can be arranged by appointment. Seasonal opening times may change, so check the current dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Referinghausen, Medelon, Oberschledorn, Titmaringhausen, Dreislar, Küstelberg

For the main travel overview: Medebach.