Sorper panorama trail (Rothaarsteig trail)

Just in time for the 119th German Hiking Day in Winterberg and Schmallenberg, the Sorper Panoramapfad was certified as a quality hiking trail for Wanderable Germany in 2019 and included in the group of so-called Rothaarsteig trails.

On the Sorper panorama path, hikers can explore the valley of the Sorpe, a 10km long tributary of the Lenne in the urban area of Schmallenberg. The Sorper Panorama Path starts at the hiking portal in Niedersorpe in the vicinity of the Landgasthof Wulbeck. We walk right past it and a little later turn left into the forests of the Rothaargebirge.

We now go to the Schmallenberg golf course, where we reach the western apex of the Sorper panorama path at the associated parking lot. Now we keep to the southeast and walk into the Sorpetal and to Winkhausen, a small village at the foot of the Knollens (533m). An important trade route once ran along here, which is why Winkhausen was first mentioned in a document almost a thousand years ago.

In Winkhausen we cross the Sorpe and now hike over the Knollen with its historic quarries to the White Cross and on to the Niedersorpe cemetery. The Sorper panorama path leads through the Sorpe Valley to Waldemei, where the Klute Gallery runs an art forge and glassworks. On the way we pass the covered open-air bowling alley of the Niedersorpe tourist office.

We follow the Sorpe upstream to the Rellmecke, where the Schmiedewelten Dünnebacke shows art from traditional craft in an impressive natural setting. From Rellemecke we now hike through the Sorpetal back to Niedersorpe. As early as 1571 there was a church courtyard in the village. The St. Sebastian Chapel was consecrated in 1739. During the last renovation of Martins Chapel in 2005, the remains of an older chapel and ceramic pieces from the 13th to 14th centuries were found.

The Sorper Panoramaweg was laid out by the local association of the Sauerland Mountain Association (SGV). Ferdi Pape from the board of directors of SGV Niedersorpe explains: “We have created a varied path that leads through the Sorpetal. Our beautiful places with their lively village and work life are an extremely beautiful setting that hikers can experience during their visit. "