The best running trails around Rüthen

The Hachtor - We are writing the 14th century AD. Uncertain times reign on the outer borders of the Electorate of Cologne. The town of Rüthen must be fortified... If you enter the Rüthen town center coming from the north, you will pass through the Rüthener Hachtor, which is one of the town's landmarks and gives its name to the Hachtorstraße leading into the town. The Hachtor, built from Rüthener Grünsandstein (green sandstone), was built around the year 1300. According to tradition, the name Hachtor derives from the term Hagentor or Hafttor. The latter seems plausible when you consider that in the Middle Ages, external criminals were actually imprisoned in the upper floors of the Hachtor. In the outer blind arch on the north side of the Hachtor, you can still recognize today the place where the portcullis used to be. In addition, on the north side, you will find the two curtain walls, to which another barbican was directly attached to the north in earlier times. The main gate and this now non-existent barbican were previously connected by a drawbridge to the moats, still visible to the east and west. On the west side, you can very well recognize the seam to the former city wall, over three meters high, which led around Rüthen for about 2.7 kilometers and whose course you can still walk and enjoy today with its wonderful views. On the east side of the Hachtor, you can see a small wooden door at height, which probably used to offer access to the Hachtor via the city wall. On the west side, too, with closer observation, you can still recognize outlines that perhaps also represented such an access in earlier times. We have equipped the Hachtor for you with modern LED lighting from the inside and outside, which is capable of stylishly illuminating the contours of the masonry in the evening and at night with subtle, color-changing light. The Hachtor is the last of the formerly four city gates in Rüthen to have survived. The original four entrances to the old town of Rüthen all had strong gate towers and drawbridges. Perhaps you will find out during your exploration of the alleys within the city walls where the other three gates once stood. Here's a little tip: The names of the other three city gates were Österntor, Schneringertor, and Burgtor...

The striking 14th-century Witch Tower is one of the most impressive relics of Rüthen's medieval town fortifications. Despite its name, it did not serve as a site for witch trials, but rather as a prison tower for common criminals for centuries. Today, it houses a compelling exhibition on the history of witch persecution in the Sauerland region – a topic that has particularly shaped Rüthen, as more than one hundred people fell victim to the Inquisition here. The exhibition displays replicas of historical interrogation instruments, highlights individual fates such as that of Grete Eickhoff, and commemorates Friedrich Spee and Michael Stapirus, who spoke out against these cruel practices early on, with a bronze relief. The tower thus combines authentic architecture, regional history, and a poignant reminder to create a truly impressive visitor destination. https://www.nrw-stiftung.de/entdecken/foerderprojekte/hexenturm-ruethen.html

The beautiful property can only be viewed from the outside as it is privately owned.

A beautiful path starts here, running along the city wall. It's about 3 km long.

Beautiful Baroque moated castle from the 18th century.

Very beautiful from the outside, unfortunately not open to the public, it is privately owned.

Scenic tour in colorful autumn in a historical setting

You almost feel like you're back in time and you feel sorry for the innocent victims.