Orke water trail - nature experience trail

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9.50 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: easy
Condition: medium
Hiking trail
Hiking
  • 3:00 h
  • 9.50 km
  • 115 m
  • 114 m
  • 376 m
  • 446 m
  • 70 m
  • Start: Hiking portal in the centre of Medelon
  • Destination: Hiking portal in the centre of Medelon
... on the trail of the Orke!

Numerous watercourses are the lifelines of the Hochsauerland region. But water alone does not make a stream. The Orke with its diversity of floodplain and stream inhabitants is an impressive example of this.

Nature lovers and families are in good hands on the discovery trail!
At 13 stations, QR codes provide interesting information about habitats, animals and plants, the former use of the watercourse and nature conservation measures.

The tour leads along the stream, through meadow valleys and floodplains, along paths and past a geological outcrop.

Hiking with children
Families with younger children can look forward to the playground in the centre of the village. The tour can be shortened at the wooden bridge and, at around four kilometres, is also easy to manage with younger children. The path is not suitable for pushchairs!

Information on the renaturalisation:
In the European LIFE project - a building block for Natura 2000 - the Orke was made more natural through extensive measures. By converting or bypassing 22 transverse structures, the river's passability for brown trout, brook lamprey and bullhead was restored. The black stork also benefits from the renaturalisation due to a better food supply. Afforestation from spruce or hybrid poplars was converted back into grassland, which is now managed by farmers in a nature conservation-friendly manner.

Further information can be found at: www.naturschaetze-suedwestfalens.de

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The Orke valley is best experienced on the Orke water trail. From the starting point, follow the mascot "Koppi", a light-coloured bullhead (fish) on a blue background.

Western section:
Via Marienglück into the Vildischer Grund to the Kaltenscheid forester's lodge and back (7.4 km; 9 stops).

Eastern section:
To renaturalised sections of the Orke below Medelon and back (2.2 km; 4 stops).

Tour information

  • Familiy-Friendly

  • Labelling

  • Loop Road

  • Possibility of Accommodation

  • Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for the weather. Depending on the weather, the paths and trails may be wet.

Directions & Parking facilities

Parking is available in the centre of the village of Medelon directly on the main road. The entrance to the water trail is marked by a pavilion. An alternative access to the area is the "Orketal" hiking car park.

Address for navigation: Orkestraße 21, 59964 Medelon (Medebach)

You will find parking facilities at the side of Medeloner Straße. You can also park at the Landhotel Müller or at the Medelon parish hall by prior arrangement.

Additional information

Further information can be found at: www.naturschaetze-suedwestfalens.de

Literature

Flyer on the Orke water trail, available from the Medebach tourist information centre

Author

Touristik-Gesellschaft Medebach mbH
Marktplatz 1
59964 Medebach

Organization

Touristik-Gesellschaft Medebach mbH

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Families with children can borrow an explorer rucksack for young naturalists from the Medebach tourist information centre!

Map

Medebach cycling and hiking map, 1 : 25,000, available from the Medebach tourist information centre

Nearby

Getting there

Orke water trail - nature experience trail
59964 Medebach - Medelon

License (master data)

License: Attribution, ShareAlike
Touristik-Gesellschaft Medebach mbH