Wintercamping in the Sauerland

Camping in winter? On the right campsite and with the right equipment, nothing stands in the way of a holiday in a caravan or motorhome, even during the frosty season. The Sauerland is an impressive camping destination with a variety of winter activities and fascinating landscapes. When the frozen water glistens on the large lakes and the snow crunches under your boots as you hike, the magic of winter takes over.

Destinations

Winterberg is known for its ideal conditions for sports enthusiasts. In the middle of the Rothaargebirge mountains, the cosy town lies at an altitude of just under 700 metres, which almost guarantees fantastic snow cover in the cold season. The town is particularly popular with campers because shopping facilities and outdoor activities are so close together. The first ski lift is just a few minutes' walk from the Hochsauerland camping park in Winterberg. The exceptionally beautifully designed campsite not only offers washing machines and tumble dryers, but also entertainment for younger guests in the ski kindergarten. Not far from Willingen, on the edge of the Sauerland, lies the enchanting Diemelsee lake. The region around the lake is a paradise for alpine sports. Guided winter mountain bike tours are offered, but visitors can of course also explore the Sauerland on their own. The mountains are an adventure playground for climbers, but there are also plenty of circular trails for more leisurely walks in winter. The hiking paradise in the Diemelsee Nature Park can be reached quickly and easily from a nearby winter campsite in the Sauerland.

The Brilon camping and holiday park is located just outside the town of the same name, surrounded by wintry mountain landscapes, endless forests and traditional half-timbered houses. Winter campers can reach the Poppenberg, to which a drag lift leads, in just a few minutes on foot. Whether snowboarders, skiers or cross-country skiers, winter sports enthusiasts get their money's worth there. The proximity to the town of Brilon offers a varied alternative to the winter programme: In art galleries, museums or shopping centres, even rainy days are full of variety.

Top tips

• When winter camping in the Sauerland, visitors not only benefit from the snow sports on offer: the Sauerland is also known for its Mediterranean sauna landscapes and healing saltwater pools. In numerous swimming pools, such as the thermal brine pool in Bad Waldliesborn or the Finto adventure pool, you can relax in the Turkish steam bath, the thermal brine pool or the Finnish sauna. A short holiday for body and soul. You can also easily reach the lagoon adventure pool with sauna area from the campsite in Willingen.
• The Sauerland as a cave labyrinth: In what is probably the most famous cave in Germany, the Atta Cave, visitors can explore one of the largest interconnected labyrinth systems. Over millions of years, grandiose stalactite worlds have been created in the underworld near Attendorn. A visit to the cave is a particularly exciting experience in winter, when the frozen crystals sparkle in the dark cold.

Activities and excursions

Whether indoors or outdoors, the campsites in the Sauerland are the perfect starting point for many activities and excursions in winter. Visitors can choose between a sporting programme, such as skiing, or cultural visits.

Ski paradise Sauerland

The Sauerland can now look back on over 100 years of skiing tradition. A total of 26 lifts are available for skiing enthusiasts between Neuastenberg and Winterberg. From chairlifts to T-bar lifts, green and black runs, everything is included. Beginners and advanced skiers are guaranteed to get their money's worth on a total of 7 mountains. You can put your skiing skills to the test on the slalom slope or on the steepest descent north of the Alps. On many days, the ski area offers floodlit skiing. Even without daylight, the snowboarding and skiing fun continues.

For history buffs: museums and exhibitions

There is plenty to see in numerous cultural institutions from the fields of business, natural history and art. The Alte Schmitte museum of local history and hunting is home to many treasures from times gone by, a hunting exhibition and an original cobbler's workshop. In the Oldtimer Museum Westheim, the collection focuses on historical vehicles, machines and household items from rural life. Visitors to the Neuastenberg Winter Sports Museum can find all the information they need about ski production in earlier times as well as a summary of over 5,000 years of skiing history. How did skiing come to the Sauerland and how did it ultimately become a popular sport? These questions are also answered there.

Themed hikes: Get on the trail of the Sauerland

Visitors can explore the Sauerland interactively with interesting themed hikes. On guided tours or individual circular walks, you can learn stories and legends about the region. The Kahle Pön nature trail leads for almost 6 kilometres from the district of Düdinghausen through one of the high heaths rarely found in the Sauerland. The trail ends at a vantage point from where you have an impressive view over the Medebach Bay. The 11-kilometre themed hike "Grenzgeschichten hautnah" is also highly recommended. The hike includes a tower ascent, a stop in an idyllic nature reserve and interesting anecdotes.

Events

Numerous events in the Sauerland also invite you to join in the fun, take part and stroll around in winter.

February

• Ski Jumping World Cup: Every year in February, the world's best ski athletes gather in Willingen to collect points in the Ski Jumping World Cup. The adrenaline-fuelled event is accompanied by a colourful programme and a final fireworks display.

November

• Nikolauslauf: This event has been organised by SC Willingen for over 100 years. In addition to the sporting activities in the Upland stadium, it is also about socialising. After the St Nicholas Run, people chat and eat together in a relaxed atmosphere.

December

• Numerous Christmas markets open in December, transforming the Sauerland into a winter wonderland. The Christmas village in Bad Sassendorf, which is open until Christmas Eve, is particularly popular. In the festively decorated Christmas village, over 40 huts offer visitors high-quality handicrafts, colourful decorative items and fine jewellery.