Meschede, Hochsauerlandkreis

Hennesee: the Whole Way Round

Distance15.8 km

Elevation gain393 m

DifficultyModerate

Estimated time5 h 39 min

Overview

Walk the whole way round the Hennesee, a forest reservoir in the Sauerland. The first half keeps to the water and is almost flat, past the lit stairway on the dam and on to the bathing place at Mielinghausen.

Then the path climbs into the woods on the hill and drops back to Berghauser Bucht, the biggest bathing bay on the lake. On a hot day you can finish with a swim there. A full day, for anyone happy with one proper climb.

Points of interest

Himmelstreppe — At the dam: the Himmelstreppe, a lit stairway of 333 steps and a favourite photo at dusk, in Advent above all. The walk passes along the top and stays level.
Bootsanlegestelle Xavers Ranch — On the east shore: a boat landing, and the first place to cut the day short.
Bootsanlegestelle Mielinghausen — Past halfway, below the holiday village: a bathing place and the last boat landing before the path climbs into the woods.
Berghauser Bucht — Near the finish: the biggest bathing bay on the lake, with a big lawn, a barefoot path and the Piratenbucht playground and its pirate ship.

Trail alerts

Winter ice: Stay on the shore path, even when the lake looks frozen solid. Walking on the ice is forbidden, and ice that holds at the edge can break further out.
Road walking: Walk in single file and keep children close for about a kilometre after Mielinghausen, first along the B 55 and then on a road open to cars. The boat from Mielinghausen skips it.

Plan your day

Shortcut: At Mielinghausen, take the boat to Berghauser Bucht and skip the climb and the road. It runs in season only, Tuesday to Sunday, the last at 16:15. Check the timetable before you rely on it.
What to bring: Swimming things in summer, if you plan to swim. In winter, boots that grip, because the shore path is not cleared regularly.
Food and water: The kiosk at Berghauser Bucht sells snacks, ice cream and cold drinks, and the H1 am See restaurant is close by.

Trail character

Mostly tarred paths and roads, with long stretches of gravel.
The climb after Mielinghausen is steep in places.
Follow the A8 waymarks all the way round.

Access & rules

Getting there: By car, or by bus to the Berghauser Bucht stop by the finish.
Parking: Use the Berghauser Badebucht car park, where the walk starts, or the Großraumparkplatz. Parking on the bathing-bay grounds is banned.
Facilities: Toilets at Berghauser Bucht in bathing weather. Lifeguards at both bathing places on summer weekends, when the red-yellow flag flies.
Official info: hennesee-sauerland.de. Boat times at every landing. Check them before you plan to cut the walk short.

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