Arpe: Circular Routes and Stories Along the Way

When planning your stay, the focus is not only on individual destinations, but also on different ways of experiencing the village and its surroundings: short paths with hands-on stations, circular hikes with scenic views, themed routes, as well as ecclesiastical and culinary stopping points. This allows you to structure your days according to your preferred pace and switch between active walking, stories along the way and regional dining.

Circular routes with different profiles

The Hardt Adventure Trail Arpe is an approximately 2.5 km-long, child-friendly circular route. Various hands-on stations are located along the route, where visitors can test their skill, imagination and endurance. It passes through sections of woodland and meadows, rocky areas and along slopes beside a stream valley. Its approximate length makes it easier for you to assess whether it is suitable when you are looking for a manageable circular route with varied stations for a day out.

The circular route around Arpe is designated AR2. It begins in Arpe, heads towards Herschede, passes Silberg on the way to Keppel and then returns to Arpe. Along the route, there are many beautiful views after the climb to Herschede and on reaching Silberg.

The Hardt Adventure Trail focuses on its approximately 2.5 kilometres and its hands-on stations, while AR2 links the route via Herschede, Silberg and Keppel with the views after the climb. If you are travelling with children, the Hardt Adventure Trail offers an explicitly child-friendly route option. If you prefer a hike with climbs and scenic views, the AR2 route provides a different basis for planning your day.

Starting point and orientation along the way

The starting point of AR2 is at the hiking information board opposite the Voss Inn in Arpe. This specific landmark helps you identify the beginning of the circular route without confusing the route’s starting point with any random point in the village. Bus route 345 also operates in Arpe. The “Arpe” stop can be used to reach the starting point of the circular route around Arpe.

In addition to the AR2 circular route, the Myths Trail, or MW for short, also passes through Arpe. Its route runs from Berghausen via Niederberndorf to Arpe. The access point to the Arpe Lauschpohl listening stations is marked by an information board about the Lauschpohl listening stations in Hawerland.

Lauschpohl Tour and stories along the way

Lauschpohl Tour 1 runs from Arpe via Keppel and Silberg, passing various Lauschpohl stations on the way to Herschede, and then returns to Arpe.

At Lauschpohl No. 16 / Dornröschenweg, the story of a little princess, the “Blackthorn Fairy”, is told along an enchanted path.

Church life and regional cuisine

The pilgrimage on foot from Arpe to Werl is also part of the local context. It developed into a traditional part of church and village life in Arpe. The connection to Werl is explicitly part of the pilgrimage and should not be equated with a circular route within Arpe.

Arpe is also home to the small St. Anthony’s subsidiary church. It was built in the Renaissance style. Its exact age is unclear and may date back to around 1650. The church was renovated in 2015. In front of the building stands a group of figures depicting St. Anthony with pigs, known as “Fickeltünnes”.

For regional dining, the Voss Inn in Arpe is available. Regional specialities and seasonal dishes are always freshly prepared there.

Further places for orientation: Sellinghausen, Gleidorf, Altenilpe, Lenne, Bödefeld, Oberhenneborn, Fleckenberg, Dorlar.

For the overarching travel overview: Schmallenberg.