Attendorn: Nature, Hiking Trails and History
Accommodation in Attendorn
Attendorn brings together a range of reasons to stay: the 46-kilometre Bigge-Lister Trail, views of Lake Bigge, the Atta Cave and places with more than 800 years of history. When planning your trip, you can decide whether hiking, the landscape, a cave visit or exploring the town’s history should take priority. Attendorn is located in the Biggesee-Listersee Nature and Adventure Area, a leisure and recreation region in South Westphalia.
Attendorn
Photo: Markus Lenk
Hiking: the Bigge-Lister Trail and views
A popular starting point for the Bigge-Lister Trail is Waldenburger Bucht in Attendorn. The trail is 46 kilometres long and can be hiked in full over two days. This gives you a concrete framework if you want to include a longer hike in your stay. From the starting point, the route passes the historic Waldenburg Chapel and continues to the ruins of Waldenburg Castle. There, you can enjoy your first beautiful view of Lake Bigge.
BiggeBlick is another landmark offering views over the lake and surrounding area. The viewing platform is 90 metres above Lake Bigge; from there, you can see the lake, Gilberg Island and the ruins of Waldenburg Castle. The forest path from the large car park to BiggeBlick is about 800 metres long and has some steep sections. These may be difficult to walk on for people with limited mobility. If this is important for your group, take the path’s length and steep sections into account when planning.
A cave visit at a constant temperature
On a guided tour of the Atta Cave, groups enter the realm of Princess Atta through an 80-metre-long tunnel. The temperature in the cave remains a constant 9 °C in both summer and winter. This means it stays the same regardless of the season’s outdoor conditions. If you are planning a cave visit, you can factor this constant temperature into your preparations.
Explore Attendorn’s history for yourself
The historic town walk takes you to important sites that bear witness to Attendorn’s more than 800 years of history. QR codes at each stop provide additional information, historical images and background details. You can plan your own route or follow the route suggestion on Komoot. This lets you decide how to include the historic sites in your walk.
One of the town’s notable historic landmarks is the Cologne Gate. It was once one of the four entrances to the medieval Hanseatic town of Attendorn. Schnellenberg Castle is a historic hilltop castle above Attendorn with a history spanning more than 800 years. The South Sauerland Museum is located on the market square in Attendorn’s pedestrian zone, opposite the parish church; it was formerly known as the District Local History Museum. These places offer different ways to discover Attendorn through its history and cultural institutions.
More local pages
For more local information: Silbecke, Kirchhundem, Lennestadt, Drolshagen, Finnentrop, Wenden and Olpe.
For an overview of the wider area: Olpe District.
