Winkhausen: Chapel, Hiking Trails and Golf

Winkhausen can be explored through a range of themes: St. Catherine’s Chapel, hiking trails, cycling and golf. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between historic local landmarks, specific routes and a sports facility.

St. Catherine’s Chapel and local history

St. Catherine’s Chapel was built in the 18th century in a simple Baroque style. Its stained-glass windows were designed in 1980 by Herne artist Jupp Gesing. The simple Baroque style and colourful stained-glass windows give the building distinct features.

The history of the Heidenstraße is also part of the local context: Winkhausen lay on this important medieval long-distance route between Cologne and Leipzig. Alongside the chapel’s architectural history, this brings the area’s historic connections into focus.

Hiking and cycling

The hiking route from Winkhausen to Nordenau follows the Sauerland-Höhenflug for much of its length. Further up the ascent, which passes the signposted W1 junction starting in Winkhausen, stands Seilmann’s Lime Tree, designated a natural monument. A route to Nordenau and an ascent featuring a named natural monument offer two distinct hiking options.

The Village Churches Cycling Route – Variant 1 leads to the simple Chapel of St. Catherine in Winkhausen. If you are sorting routes by theme, you can distinguish this cycling route, which ends at the chapel, from the hiking connection to Nordenau: one leads to a specific building, while the other is defined by its two locations and its route along the Sauerland-Höhenflug.

Golf and practical planning

The Schmallenberg Golf Club grounds are in Schmallenberg-Winkhausen; the club operates a 27-hole course. This means that golf is another distinct local attraction to consider alongside the cultural and natural landscapes when planning your trip.

The Ismo 466 hiking bus serves Winkhausen and the excursion destination of Wilzenberg. Each journey must be booked at least 30 minutes before departure. As transport details may change, check the current timetable and booking options before travelling. The booking deadline is a specific detail to include in your plans.

More to explore in the wider Schmallenberg destination

In the wider Schmallenberg destination, the old town is a distinctive architectural landmark. It has a unified Neoclassical architectural character and many restored half-timbered houses. This differs stylistically from the simple Baroque chapel in Winkhausen, giving the two places distinct architectural perspectives within the destination.

For cyclists, the 84-kilometre Sauerland Cycle Ring connects Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt; the route follows former railway lines. This is a different scale of route from the Village Churches Cycling Route – Variant 1, which leads to the Chapel of St. Catherine in Winkhausen. Schmallenberg also has a family adventure trail of around three kilometres, with 13 stops on the themes of forests, animals, wood and birds.

In Schmallenberg-Latrop, the Forestry Workers’ Museum displays historic tools, photographs of earlier forest and village life, historic forestry records and information on the development of the chainsaw. Also in Schmallenberg-Latrop, the Forestry Workers’ and Foresters’ Trail covers 4.5 kilometres and has 17 stops on topics such as forest ecology and timber use. A guided historical town tour offers insights into Schmallenberg’s history and introduces figures such as the Floigenkasper and the Breybalg. Check current dates and booking arrangements for the tour.

Discover more destinations: Oberhenneborn, Lenne, Altenilpe, Kirchilpe, Niederberndorf, Bad Fredeburg, Arpe, Menkhausen.

Return to the main travel overview: Schmallenberg.