Referinghausen: Hiking and History

Referinghausen combines marked hiking and cycling trails with historic sites. Numerous trails are signposted at marked junctions; there are also the local circular routes R1, R2 and R3. With the Marienkapelle above the village and the church, the area also offers opportunities to explore local and trail history during your stay. You can plan your trip around whether you mainly want to spend time on the trails or discover historic places.

Hiking trails and a tour with a specific time estimate

The Referinghausen South Round is listed as 10.6 kilometres long, with an approximate duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. This makes it easier to estimate the time needed for this hike than for a circular route for which no duration is given here. The circular routes R1, R2 and R3 complement the local hiking and cycling network. Signposting at marked junctions helps you find your way along the route. Before setting out, check the markings and the downloadable route information.

The details for the South Round give you a concrete basis for planning your hiking day, without requiring you to treat the duration as an exact guideline. The local circular routes and the longer regional trail in the wider Medebach destination represent different route lengths and scales. If you want to combine your hike with a visit to historic sites, you can take both interests into account when planning your stay.

Marienkapelle, Heidenstraße and the church

The Marienkapelle stands above Referinghausen beside the historic Heidenstraße. Locally, this road is described as a centuries-old military and trade route from Cologne to Leipzig and as part of a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. A memorial plaque at the chapel explains the route. Here, you can discover both the history of the chapel and the road’s traditional significance and connection to the pilgrimage route.

The church in Referinghausen also tells the story of the village. After the village fire of 1781, it was once again available for church services in 1797. Inside is a Romanesque seated Madonna from the 13th century. The dates relate the resumption of services and the age of the Madonna to different periods of history: the Madonna dates from the 13th century, and the church was again available for services in 1797 after the fire. Together with the chapel and the Heidenstraße, these sites form a historic focus that you can explore regardless of which hiking route you choose.

More places to visit in the wider Medebach destination

In the wider Medebach destination, the 66-kilometre Medebacher Bergweg quality trail offers a regional perspective: it connects the town of Medebach with all its districts. It differs from the individual Referinghausen South Round hike, which is 10.6 kilometres long and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. These specific details help you put the route lengths into perspective when planning; they describe different trails, not the same route.

Medebach also has terrain therapy trails for health-promoting walks through the Medebach Bay landscape. Guided mountain bike tours start at the Tourist Information Office in Medebach and can be adapted to participants’ fitness and riding skills. Check the latest booking details in advance. The Gelängebachtal Nature Trail has an interactive nature activity for children and adults; check the current condition of the facilities before visiting.

Cultural attractions in the wider Medebach destination also complement the themes of hiking and local history. The museum and the narrow-gauge railway exhibition are located at Oberstraße 26 in Medebach. Check the latest opening information before visiting. At the Heimathaus Düdinghausen, you can watch woodturning demonstrations at the Dreggestobe and take guided tours of the Heimathaus; check the seasonal dates in advance. The Freistuhl Düdinghausen is a historic court site with far-reaching views over forests and meadows. These attractions have different focuses, ranging from regional history and crafts to experiences in the landscape.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Medebach.