Oberrarbach: Hiking the OR4

For a stay focused on hiking, the marked OR4 circular trail offers a specific local point of reference. The route starts and ends at the chapel in Oberrarbach and leads through the forests of the Rarbachtal; viewpoints are also part of the trail. This makes it easy to pair a visit to the village with a clearly named hike, without having to plan for different starting and finishing points.

Hiking the OR4

The OR4 is marked as a circular trail. The chapel is both the starting and finishing point, the forest character of the Rarbachtal shapes the route, and viewpoints add to the landscape. Hiking boots and sufficient food and drinks are practical recommendations for hikers. These details apply to the OR4 and may change if the route is rerouted. Therefore, check the current route information before setting out.

Getting to the hiking trail

You can take bus route 465 to the Oberrarbach stop to access the OR4. Limited parking is available in front of the Wollmeiner inn. This gives you two different ways to plan your arrival: take the bus to the stop, or drive and use the limited parking in front of the inn. Check the timetable and parking situation again before travelling, as bus service and parking availability are operational details.

More experiences in the wider destination of Schmallenberg

In the wider destination of Schmallenberg, hiking is just one of several themes. The old town is distinguished by its cohesive Neoclassical architecture and many restored half-timbered houses. A historical city tour offers insights into Schmallenberg’s history and introduces local characters such as the Floigenkasper and the Breybalg. If you would like to include this tour in your travel plans, check the current dates and booking arrangements.

Schmallenberg also offers a connection to forests and their history. The Forestry Workers’ Museum in Schmallenberg-Latrop features historical tools, pictures of life in the forest and village in earlier times, historical forestry office records, and information about the development of the chainsaw. The Forest Workers’ and Foresters’ Trail also starts in Schmallenberg-Latrop: its 17 stations cover topics such as forest ecology and timber use along a route of over 4.5 kilometres. The museum visit and the trail focus on different aspects of forestry history and nature and land-use topics.

A family adventure trail in Schmallenberg is about three kilometres long and has 13 stations about forests, animals, wood, and birds. For a different kind of tour, the 84-kilometre Sauerland Cycle Ring connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg, and Lennestadt; it follows former railway lines. The activities can therefore also be distinguished by format: the OR4 is a marked circular hike starting at the chapel in Oberrarbach, the adventure trail features themed stations, and the Sauerland Cycle Ring connects several towns on a longer cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Werntrop, Winkhausen, Arpe, Lenne, Bödefeld, Oberkirchen, Dorlar, Nordenau.

Back to the wider travel overview: Schmallenberg.