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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Kreis Olpe

Kirchhundem

Quality Tour: Krenkeltal and Goldener Zapfen - ridge walk between the Rhine and Weser rivers

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Kreis Olpe

Kirchhundem

Quality Tour: Krenkeltal and Goldener Zapfen - ridge walk between the Rhine and Weser rivers

Hard

4.7

(195)

526

hikers

Quality Tour: Krenkeltal and Goldener Zapfen - ridge walk between the Rhine and Weser rivers

03:24

11.6km

270m

Hiking

Magnificent forest paths meet imposing views on this tour, along with a good dose of history. Furthermore, you are on an excellent quality trail.

You start your tour at the Stauweiher Heinsberg hiking parking lot, located south of the town of Heinsberg. You head into the green on the quickest route, which first means: Welcome to the beautiful Krenkeltal valley. A little hidden here in the forest is an exciting sight – a historic aqueduct, a stream diversion over an old railway line.

And shortly thereafter, the next little journey through time awaits you. The scene of the event is the Dreiherrnstein. If it could speak, it would tell stories of border disputes. You can simply listen to the region's exciting past on site thanks to a free podcast.

Along the route, the Rothaarhütte is also a nice place for a stop. You will enjoy great panoramic views shortly after your hut stop from the Goldenen Zapfen.

by Sauerland-Tourismus

Last updated: August 3, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 2.69 km for 491 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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2.18 km

Krenkel Valley Aqueduct

Highlight • Monument

A real sight is hidden in the forest. There used to be a railway line here, which shortly afterwards led into a tunnel. This is now closed. But this aqueduct still leads over the old railway line and allows the stream its normal course into the valley.

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4.16 km

Three Lords' Stone

Highlight • Monument

At the Dreiherrnstein, the territories of the Duchy of Westphalia, Nassau-Siegen, and Wittgenstein-Hohenstein met. The large triangular stone on the Wildborn is marked with a Wolfsangel on the Nassau side, a large W on the Wittgenstein side, and a cross on the Electoral Cologne side. In 1817, Prussia formed the districts of Olpe, Siegen, and Wittgenstein. The old territorial borders thus became mere district borders in the newly founded Province of Westphalia. Today, the former "three-country corner" is a border point between the districts of Olpe and Siegen-Wittgenstein. For centuries, bitter and sometimes even fatal border conflicts with destruction and theft of wood, tools, and livestock raged along this territorial border. To this day, this old border is characterized not only by the Rothaarkamm ridge but also by the confluence of Saxon and Franconian cultural and confessional influences. (Source: Erlebnisführer Rothaarsteig)

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6.83 km

Rothaar Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Always recommended as a meeting and starting point. However, one should note the opening hours, as the hut is mostly only open on weekends and public holidays (Saturdays from 1:30 PM to 6 PM and Sundays and public holidays from 10 AM to 6 PM).

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7.40 km

View of the Siegerland from the Goldener Zapfen

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great view far into the Siegerland. Friedrich Nietzsche's saying "World-wisdom" fits here: "Don't stay on a flat field! Don't climb so high! The world looks most beautiful from halfway up. ”

Translated by Google •

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11.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.83 km

1.10 km

491 m

104 m

Surfaces

8.61 km

1.84 km

971 m

104 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (670 m)

Lowest point (450 m)

Weather

Saturday 22 August

16°C

6°C

-- %

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Comments

February 8, 2025,Qualitätstour: Krenkeltal und Goldener Zapfen - Äquedukt- Sauerlandhütte-Heinsberg

A really nice tour! Normal paths alternated with forest and meadow paths. A short stop at the Rothaarhütte was a must, of course😅..
🔝

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February 23, 2025,Aquädukt im Krenkeltal – Schöner Ausblick Runde von Heinsberg

Slower than usual on the "back". Unfortunately, many of the paths were very muddy. Few trails.

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April 19, 2025,Dreiherrnstein🪨 - Rothaarhütte🛖 ab Stauweiher Heinsberg💦🅿️🥾🥾

Since preparations for an evening family celebration🎉 would take up my time from midday onwards, I scheduled my obligatory hike for another early Saturday morning. Due to the start time, I missed the vaguely promised sunshine☀️, as blue skies only appeared on the return journey. Nevertheless, the route along the border between Sauerland and Siegerland turned out to be charming …

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October 1, 2023,Qualitätstour: Krenkeltal und Goldener Zapfen - Gratwanderung zwischen Rhein und Weser

After the morning shift we went for a ride. We went to Heinsberg again. From there you go to the aqueduct, the old Krenkelbach crossing over the then existing railway line. The old tunnel is walled up and serves as a home for bats. We went over the Dreiherrn-Stein with beautiful views towards the Elberndorfer Bachtal and later back towards …

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November 1, 2022,Follow the "O" - Aquädukt – Ausblick vom „Goldenen Zapfen“ Runde von Heinsberg

Great round in the Siegerland/Sauerland border area with a Turkish monument, lots of nature and a place to stop for refreshments in the Rothaarhütte (unfortunately only on weekends and public holidays). Due to the ongoing logging work, the path offers some off-road passages, unfortunately also difficult to pass sections on wet days. The harvesters just leave tracks. Have fun hiking😀

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September 3, 2022,Qualitätstour Krenkeltal und Goldener Zapfen - Gratwanderung zwischen Rhein und Weser 3.09.2022 🌳🌥🐕‍🦺🌳

Magnificent views, wonderful natural passages through sunken paths and forest idyll, a stream that crosses a railway line at lofty heights.
As a quality trail with a high proportion of nature trails, its variety and many adventure points, the circular route is one of the "Sauerland tracks".
Itinerary:
alltrails.com/de/explore/map/wandern-85203ae
Pictures also at:
ivv-wandern-weber.de
or:
facebook.com/stefan.weber.1654

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May 26, 2024,Krenkeltal und Goldener Zapfen - Gratwanderung zwischen Rhein und Weser

After I brought a bad case of bronchitis back from Tallinn, I had to see what I could do today in the nice weather. 😉
I'm happy, even though I had to gasp heavily a few times. 😜. But I'm actually feeling pretty good again.
The circular route contributed to this, by the way, it was very nice. 👍👋

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September 5, 2021,Krenkeltal u. Goldener Zapfen - Gratwanderung 05.09 2021 15:20

Today we hiked the "Krenkeltal and Goldener Zapfen - ridge walk between the Rhine and Weser" rating path, this path is a Sauerland trail. We started at the Stauweiher Heinsberg hiking car park and followed the signs with the white circle on a black background in a clockwise direction. The path first led us to the first highlight, the aqueduct …

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July 18, 2026

Magnificent forest paths meet imposing views on this tour, along with a good dose of history. Furthermore, you are on an excellent quality trail.
﻿
You start your tour at the Stauweiher Heinsberg hiking parking lot, located south of the town of Heinsberg. You head into the green on the quickest route, which

Showing Translation

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Quality Tour: Krenkeltal and Goldener Zapfen - ridge walk between the Rhine and Weser rivers

Krenkel Valley Aqueduct

Three Lords' Stone

Rothaar Hut

View of the Siegerland from the Goldener Zapfen

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