Look forward to the Märkisches Sauerland

Castle Altena © Andreas Giesbrecht Mantler | Märkisches Sauerland

The Märkische Kreis and County Waterford share a special bond. Since 2023, the Märkische Kreis in Germany has been our partnership county. This connection not only enriches the relationship between our two countries but also promotes cultural exchange and strengthens the friendship between our regions.

The Märkische Kreis is the westernmost part of the German Sauerland mountain range and one of the most successful economic regions in Germany. Iron ore, forest, and waterwere the natural riches people utilised for centuries. To this day, forests and water define the beautiful landscape of mountains and ridges, valleys, and reservoirs.

They now form the treasure of the Märkisches Sauerland as part of the Sauerland destination, inviting guests to a variety of outdoor activities – complemented by diverse indoor offerings. A unique feature of the region is its caves: Three enchanting stalactite caves are accessible to visitors.

Besides nature, the fascinating industrial culture also plays a significant role in the Märkisches Sauerland. Everything that is experienceable about industrial history – around15 historical sites and experience museums as well as events – is combined by the WasserEisenLand association.

Outdoor Activities

Our natural surroundings offer you everything your heart desires in outdoor activities: You can cycle, climb, hike, swim, or simply relax in our beautiful nature. For day trips by bike, for example, you will find well-developed cycle paths along some rivers with few inclines. Mountain bikers, as well as road cyclists, love our steep mountain routes, which our region also uses for targeted training.

If you prefer to be on foot, you will find a dense network of hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels, according to your wishes and fitness. The Drahthandelsweg, our themed trail on the topic of wire, can be explored in two to three days. You can also embark on multi-day hikes with us: In Iserlohn, the 240-kilometre-long Sauerland-Waldroute begins, leading through the wooded areas of the entire Sauerland, in Altena and Meinerzhagen, the 250-kilometre-long Sauerland-Höhenflug, which takes you over the peaks of the Sauerland.

But with us, you can also be active outdoors in between times. Choose your challenge, for example, for a few hours on our great climbing rocks on the Lenne shore in Werdohl (only with your own equipment). Swim a few laps in the Oester, the Lister, or the Glör reservoir. Or rent a board for stand-up paddling at the Lister reservoir or the Oester reservoir. And afterwards, simply relax with a picnic at an idyllic spot in the forest, by a stream, or a lake.

Waldroute © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Eisenwaldtrails © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Ranger tours © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Caves

In some places in the Märkisches Sauerland, the ground and the rocks are full of secrets. There, small and large caves have developed over millions of years. You can visit the largest ones and let the beauty of the underworld enchant you. Look forward, for example, to exploring the Dechen Cave with its impressive halls, stalactites, and mini-sinter terraces in Iserlohn. 400 metres are developed for visitors. In the neighbouring German Cave Museum, you can also learn more about cave research – in the Sauerland and in other regions of the world.

You can also see the Heinrich’s Cave in Hemer or the Recken Cave near Balve. Both are smaller than the Dechen Cave but also very impressive. In Hemer, you will also find the Felsenmeer, a nature reserve of 600 metres in length and 200 metres in width with interesting geological rock formations. Here, iron ore was mined before the forest overgrew the entire area. Today, you can comfortably walk through the entire area on wooden footbridges. And events such as concerts, plays, and festivals take place in the Balver Cave.

Dechen Cave © Linda Nitsch | Märkisches Sauerland

Felsenmeer © MR Fotografie | Märkisches Sauerland

Indoor Experiences

If you don’t want to be outside for a change, our indoor experiences will tempt you. For example, there’s Altena Castle, which towers high above the town of Altena and attracts all eyes. The most entertaining way to visit it is the adventure lift to the castle, where you’ll get the basic information. Once at the top, you’ll get to know the world’s first youth hostel, which was founded here. And you’ll learn a lot about medieval life in the region, about early iron production, and about the art of wire drawing during tours in the Altena Castle museums, as well as the German Wire Museum, just a few hundred metres from the castle, where you can experience how wire was and is produced.

Closely linked to the history of our region is also the Luisenhütte in Balve, now an experience museum where exciting events take place several times a year. In the oldest completely preserved blast furnace in Germany, iron was extracted and cast in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, indoor fun can also look very different with us: In the Kletterwelt Sauerland in Altena, you can train for your climbing sessions on rocks at any time. A more playful experience can be found at Lasermaxx Lüdenscheid, where you can test your agility and reaction skills. Or you can dive into the world of natural sciences at Phänomenta Lüdenscheid.

Castle Altena © Linda Nitsch | Märkisches Sauerland

Lasermaxx © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Kletterwelt © Michael Kotowski |Märkisches Sauerland

Industrial Culture

Our region’s industrial history roots run deep, with early efforts to extract iron from iron ores using bloomeries and, for centuries, charcoal produced in our forests as the fuel. The introduction of water power in the Middle Ages made iron production more efficient. Charcoal and water power, alongside the ores, were our greatest treasures, making the Märkisches Sauerland and the neighbouring Siegerland central to iron production long before the Ruhr area. This special quality of our iron ore led to the development of the wire industry.

This history gave rise to numerous successful companies during industrialisation, thanks to inventive entrepreneurs in our region, including metalworking firms, wire producers, and plastic manufacturers. Our region, so beautiful in landscape, is still shaped by industries that stand in this tradition. Particularly interesting are, for example, about 15 testimonies of this industrial history, monuments like the Luisenhütte, the Historical Factory Complex Maste-Barendorf, the Ahe Hammer, and the Wire Roll Am Hurk, facilities like the Märkische Museum Railway, and museums like the German Wire Museum, the Bakelite Museum, and the Gut Rödinghausen. Our ten dams are also part of this.

Gut Rödinghausen © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Museum Railway © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Luisenhütte © Michael Kotowski | MärkischesSauerland

Events

Some of our regular events shine far beyond the region: notably, the annual GlanzLicht, illuminating Altena Castle in vibrant colours from Advent through to the first week of January. Another major attraction is the Luise heizt ein festival, held every first Saturday in July around the Luisenhütte, featuring artists, walking acts, and thrilling live music. The Luisenhütte hosts tours throughout the day, concluding with an extraordinary light show.

At Altena Castle, the Anno Tuck summer festival, dedicated to different historical epochs, awaits you. Music festivals also play a significant role, with the Bauz Festival at Nattenberg Stadium in Lüdenscheid, the IRock Festival in Plettenberg, and the Sauerlandpark Open Airs, alongside other events in Sauerlandpark Hemer featuring big-name stars. For unique events, the Balver Cave Festivals with concerts and shows in late summer stands out. Lastly, the Märkisches Sauerland lights up during the Advent season, with Christmas markets taking place in all 15 towns at least one weekend.

Festival Luise heizt ein © Stephan Sensen | Märkisches Sauerland

45 Great Reasons

From sliding, bathing, and swimming experiences at AquaMagis in Plettenberg, to high-wire adventures in the Kletterpark Halver, overnight stays in shepherd’s wagons, an adventure day at the Bauernhofzauber, cosy walks with the Höhendorf Alpacas in Wiblingwerde, panoramic views from the Jüberg tower in Sauerlandpark, tours with the draisine in Halver, thrilling downhill runs for mountain bikers on the Eisenwald Trails in Iserlohn, Ochsentouren in the Stilleking nature reserve, ranger tours in the Ebbe Mountains, surprises at the Neuenrade Vineyard, and delicacies in the Schokoladenmanufaktur Menden…

In addition to our outdoor, indoor, and cave experiences, our industrial culture, and our events, there are at least 45 more unexpected discoveries in the Märkisches Sauerland for you. Check out our suggestions here and let yourself be inspired: 45 great reasons

Alpaca tour © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

Sheperd’s wagon © Michael Kotowski | Märkisches Sauerland

View from Jüberg tower © MRFotografie | Märkisches Sauerland

Here’s how you can reach us

Whether you’re travelling directly from Ireland or already on the move in Germany, you have several options to reach the Märkische Kreis:

By Plane

The nearest airport is Dortmund (DTM), but the journey from Düsseldorf (DUS) and Cologne (CGN) – by rental car or train and bus – is not far. More information can be found here.

By Bus & Train

Nearly all towns in the Märkische Kreis have a train station and are connected to the rail network. For the last leg to your destination, numerous bus lines are available. More information can be found here.

By Car

If you’re arriving by car from the north, south, east, or west, main roads lead from the motorways to the towns of the Märkische Kreis. More information can be found here.

Feel at home

Our accommodations and eateries ensure you feel completely comfortable with us. You can stay in hotels, pensions, and holiday apartments, as well as in the youth hostel at the castle. And in our restaurants, cafes, inns, taverns, ice cream parlours, and patisseries, you’ll enjoy local or international specialties.

Our accommodations

Click here for information on accommodation.

Our gastronomy

Click here for information on gastronomy.