Info day trip to the Skywalk Willingen
The Willingen Skywalk is Germany's longest suspension bridge and the second longest suspension bridge in the world, and adds a top tourist attraction to Willingen and the Sauerland region.
On this page you will find all the information & tips for an exciting day trip to the Skywalk and other tourist highlights in Willingen.
In combination with the Mühlenkopf ski jump (largest ski jump in the world) and the largest High heathen Germany, as well as Ettelsberg with cable car and Hochheide Tower (highest point of view in Northwest Germany at 875m e.g.), Willingen has sights and natural experiences with a top-regional character that is already a very popular holiday spot and becomes an absolute visitor magnet for holidaymakers and day visitors from the Sauerland.
How about a holiday apartment in Willingen? There's a lot here."More than you expect!" because Willingen is the border of the top holiday regions Sauerland and Waldecker Land/Edersee with its National Park (Unesco World Heritage).
Willingen (Upland) Do 22.10.2026 Temp.: 6,9 °C
min Temp.: 6,9 °C max Temp.: 6,9 °C Fr 23.10.2026 Temp.: 7,0 °C
min Temp.: 5,1 °C max Temp.: 8,9 °C Sa 24.10.2026 Temp.: 3,7 °C
min Temp.: 1,3 °C max Temp.: 6,2 °C
© openweathermap.org
Arrival in Skywalk Willingen per trein of auto/parkeren
The central location and the varied range of Willingen are ideal for a day trip or overnight stay.By car Going to Skyywalk Willingen is simple: From Dortmund via junction Dortmund/Unna A44 to junction Werl, then A445/A46 towards Arnsberg/Brilon until the end of the BAB in Olsberg. Continue your road on the B480 towards Winterberg and turn left via Olsberg to Willingen (travel time from DO/UN node approx. 1 hour). Skywalk Parking In Willingen take the B251 through the city towards Korbach. The large free parking lot at Wakenfeld is 1 km behind the end of the city. From the parking lot it is about 1.2 km walk through nature to the entrance of the Skywalk on the Musenberg - or the same distance to the cable car at the Mühlenkopfschanze, which takes you to the opposite entrance of the Skywalk at the Schanzenturm.
Komoot-route from P to entrance Musenberg, see HERE Komoot-route from the valley to the entrance at the ski tower, see HERE
Arrival by train to Willingen Train Station: Overnight holidaymakers from other Sauerland cities can take the SauerlandCard Free by train to the Skywalk. From the train station it is a 10-minute walk to the Ettelsberg cable car. From the mountain station to the Skywalk it is about 2.2 km walk. A beautiful tourist tour starts on the Ettelsberg to the Skywalk and via Stryck back to Willingen (8 km, pure walking time including Skywalk 2 - 2.5 hours). [next] [next] shows more
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Skywalk Willingen - voltage guaranteed!
A trip to Skywalk Willingen, opened on July 1, 2023, is not for scared people. For many day guests and holidaymakers from the Sauerland, the suspension bridge is a highlight with a special kick. At a length of 665 meters and at a dizzy height of 100 meters you walk over a 1.2 meter narrow suspension bridge path with a transparent grid floor that spans the Ittertal. 700 visitors may be allowed at the same time on the Skywalk. The bridge is subject to constant fluctuations, which, depending on the crowd and wind, can be up to 6 meters wide, but you don't even notice that because it is only < 1% in relation to its length. Apparently one in six visitors turn around early due to anxiety, but that doesn't stop the masses from visiting the Skywalk. In the summer of 2023 alone, over 100,000 visitors bravely crossed the Skywalk. Windy days are particularly exciting for adrenaline freaks, but safety is always guaranteed. With hard winds, hydraulic cylinders can pull and secure the bridge backwards so that it doesn't wave so much in the wind. The Skywalk can withstand wind blows up to 80 km/h without having to stop working. Wind sensors continuously calculate the wind load on the bridge and when the limit values are exceeded, the tourniquets are automatically blocked. Even in the event of thunderstorm, the bridge is closed. Tourniquets and cashless ticket machines are located on both sides of the bridge with EC/Girocard payments. At the valley station of the Ettelsbergbahn and at the cable car near the Mühlenkopfschans there are checkouts with service and cash payment. Prices and opening hours see next section.shows more
Skywalk - idea, creation and technical data
The idea for the Skywalk came into being in September 2016 during a tour of hotelier Gerd Göbel from Willingen with business friends to Austria to the suspension bridge "Highline179" in Reutte/Tirol. They were so impressed that it was decided to carry out such a project in Upland - and in 2017 capital was collected from Upland citizens and business people in the form of an investment partnership with more than 100 senior partners.
The skywalk was originally planned over the Diemelsee, but there were obstacles in nature conservation.
The project was quickly moved to Willingen. Planning for the new location in Willingen lasted about four years. They were statically very complex and challenging, as the Willingen Bridge would be over 150 meters longer than the practical experience with previous construction projects of this type. There were many test drillings and ground tests needed to establish the static depth of the ground anchorage for the safety of the bridge.
The inhabitants of Willingen hoped for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest suspension bridge in the world in Tibetan style, but then a 56 meter longer "SkyBridge721" in the Giant Mountains / CZ built a little faster because the building The authorities there were not so hesitant about the static approval process. Therefore, the Willinger Bridge is now Germany's longest suspension bridge and the second longest suspension bridge in the world.
Technical dates: Total weight of the bridge: 120 tonnes Depth of the ground anchorage: 24m Height mast: 10m Weight of supporting ropes: 17 tonnes per rope (diameter 70 mm) Overvoltage of the supporting cables: 665m Wide path width: 1,2 m Height above ground: 100m Permitted number of persons: 700 persons Build time: 1 year Construction costs: 4.5 million euros Working society: Skywalk Willingen GmbH & Co. KG Construction company: Swissrope AGshows more
Skywalk Willingen - opening hours, prices and tickets
The Skywalk is open all year round (except during ski jumping).Opening hours: in the hot half of the year (April to October): daily from 9am to 9pm (or until dark) in winter (November to end of March): daily from 9am to 5pm
Prices: Adults: € 11 Children 6-15 years: € 8.50 (Children under 6 are free) Tickets for Skywalk are available at vending machines (payment only with EC/Girocard) directly at both entrances of the bridge. Cash registers with service and cash payment are available at the cable car Mühlenkopfschans (except Monday) and at the valley station of the Ettelsberg cable car. To book tickets online, click HERE!
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Who or what may . . . . . . . . . .
The Skywalk is also safe for children. A fine-meshed steel net extends from the floor to the railing, so even small children cannot fall through it.
Baby carriages, wheelchairs/walkers, dogs/animals and mountain bikes are not allowed on the Skywalk. Bicycle racks are available on both sides for bicycles. Selfiesticks are also not allowed on the Skywalk, as they can loosen in wind and fall down.
Mühlenkopf-Skischans Willingen
De Mühlenkopfschans in Stryck is een K130-skishans en the largest big hill in the world. Since 1995, the world summit for ski jumping has been here every year for the FIS World Cup jumpingThe stadium accommodates 28,000 visitors.
The ski ramp can be visited all year round (except the Ski World Cup). A modern cable car takes you from the walk-out to the walk-in towers with a height difference of 120 meters. The glass lift takes you to the so-called "Eagle's Nest," where the ski jumpers start. Stand there and look down is a very special experience with guaranteed tingling stomach. The height difference between the extension and the continuous tower is 156 meters high (as high as the Cologne Cathedral!).
Right next to the ski slopes are the Skywalk, the pedigreeCafé AufwindThe Willingen Ski Club's office, as well as the one of the most beautiful high ropes trails of Germany.
Info opening hours and visits HERE
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Cableway at the Mühlenkopf-Skischans / Skywalk
(My card+ partner) The modern cable car runs with a height difference of 120 meters from the exhaust to the walk-in towers of the Mühlenkopfschanze, where there is also one of the two entrances of the Skywalk. The cable car is also popular with families and hikers who want to go to the Ettelsberg or Hochheide and save themselves the climb.
The cable car is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 16.45 (Monday closed)
Rates depending on age: € 3-7 - exact price information click HERE
Ettelsberg, Skywalk and Hochheide tour
A beautiful tour from the mountain station Ettelsberg via the Skywalk to the Hochheide Neuer Hagen and back. The theme trail "The Golden Path" runs through the Hochheide (Info click HERE).
The Nieuwe Hagen, also known as Niedersfelder Hochheide, is a 73.89 ha nature conservation and FFH area in the Sauerland and extends as Hessisch-Westfaals border area between Clemensberg (837 m) and Ettelsberg (838 m). the largest Hochheide in Germany. Here a unique highland landscape and a high bog area have developed with very rare flora and fauna.
The Ettelsberg-Neuer Hagen Plateau is the most popular hiking area in the Sauerland in the middle of a fully traffic-free area of almost 100 square kilometers. Rothaarsteig and Uplandsteig lead through the area.
For route on Google Maps click HERE
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Tip: Tour - Ettelsberg - Skywalk - Willingen
For a trip to the Skywalk we recommend a beautiful tour which not only takes you to the Skywalk, but also through the beautiful nature on the Ettelsberg and past the tourist highlights of Willingen.
Length of the walking route: 7.9 km + Skywalk; pure walking time approx. 2.5 hours.
For this hiking route you park at the valley station of the Ettelsberg cable car, where you can get combination tickets for the cable car and Skywalk.
The cable car will take you to the 338m high Ettelsberg, wherever the Legendary hut of Siggi State. Hochheide Tower is the highest viewpoint in the Sauerland and all of Northwest Germany (875 meters above sea level).From here you have a beautiful view over the Sauerland, the mountains of North Hesse - and at good visibility even up to the Teutoburger Forest and the Harz Mountains. Underneath the tower there is a large adventure playground for children.
The 2 km long walking route to the Skywalk starts:
You pass to the right the tower and the mountain lake and after about 400 meters you reach the Kyrillpad. Then we continue to the Skywalk, whose entrance is at the walk-in towers of the Mühlenkopfschans It is the largest large hill in the world. For € 2 you can take a lift to the Eagle's nest enter to share the view of the staggering depth with the ski jumpers.
After you take the breathtaking journey over the 669 meter long Skywalk Under the master, you walk through a forest path Stryck. Alternatively you can also climb many stairs down on the Mühlenkopfschanze or the Cableway take (free with MeineCardPlus) to the valley. Forest house im Stryck is a recommended place to stop, where there is also a children's playground is located on the other side of the street of the Itterbach Bridge.
From here you follow the hiking route to Willingen along the Itterbach through the Strycktal and the Stryckpark (with water stairs), along the Kurpavillion towards the Railway Viaduct, where are the adventure golf course Free of charge with MeineCardPlus ). Here is another small playground. We continue our way towards the city centre via Willingen shopping street. Opposite the lLndhotel of Göbel, you go left into a narrow path to the spa park, where at the end of the walk you can cool your legs in the Kneipp bathAfter that, it's 300 meters until you reach the starting point in the parking lot of the cable car.
Enjoy Skywalk and discover the tourist highlights of Willingen!
Google Maps route tour Skywalk click HERE
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Ettelsberg - the "heart" of Willingen
An important tourist attraction in the Sauerland leads to the House Mountain of Willingen.
Enjoy the unique view of Willingen in one of Germany's most modern cable cars on the 838m high Ettelsberg. The 8-person gondola ride takes about 8-10 minutes. The cable car is 1470m long and overcomes 240 altitude meters (590-830 meters above sea level). Also prams, wheelchairs and mountain bikes etc. can be transported without problems.
On the Ettelsberg it waits Most popular hiking area in the Sauerland with almost 100km2 traffic-free nature and Germany's largest high heath, Ettelsberg/Neuer Hagen.
The Hochheideturm - the highest viewing point in Northwest Germany at 875 meters above sea level, there is a large children's playground and the mountain lake underneath the tower.
500m away is a nature path and the Kyrill Path, which illustrates the independent revitalisation of nature after the 2007 hurricane. Mühlenkopf ski jump (largest ski jump in the world) can also be reached via a nice tour.
Last but not least, a stop at Siggis Ettelsberg hut is a MUST! The landlord and cabin are well known and cult. The mountain festival takes place here every Saturday from 11.00 - normal madness!
Open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (During inspection hours in November and after the end of the ski season only Fri-su)
Ettelsberg cable car To the Hoppecke 5
34508 Willingen (Upland) Telephone: +49 (0)5632-969820
Email: info[at]ettelsberg-seilbahn.de www.ettelsberg-seilbahn.de
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Climbing forest on the Mühlenkopfschans
The impressive high-speed course is located directly on the WK ski slopes and the Skywalk. The unique location and the special panorama on the jumping area and the idyllic Strycktal make the feeling at altitude even more intense and spectacular than it would be! Anyone with a MINIMUM HIGHNESS of 1.90 m can participate!Advantageous clothing: Robust, weatherproof clothing for outdoors, comfortable long trousers and tops; sturdy footwear, preferably walking or trekking shoes, or sneakers; long bicycle or other gloves (make it easier to grab the ropes); glasses should have a spectacle bath with them! Safety first - Instruction in safety techniques and monitoring of climbers is carried out by trained staff who also give useful tips! Open from May to September At the Mühlenkopfschanze Willingen Contact and information: KombiNaTour, owner Holger Pavlu Telephone: 0049 5251 / 1809622 www.kombinatour.de
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Recreational world Willingen - largest choice in Sauerland
Willingen and the nature park region Diemelsee offer a multitude of amazing leisure facilities and activities for all age groups, who are so compact in almost no other holiday destination in Germany. indoor and outdoor options: Game + amusement park, summer toboggan run, visitor mine, indoor skelter track, bowling center, ice rink, climbing hall, numerous top events, high-speed course, Ettelsberg cable car, downhill-bike park, 3D mini golf hall, curiosityum, adventure golf, lagoon adventure pool, show Glasmanufaktur, MUHseum de dairy factory, Visionarium Diemelsee and much more. In Willingen you will certainly not be bored! More information click HERE
Walk through the center
The centre has a attractive shopping street with numerous shops, pubs and cafés, stretching about 1 km from the train station to Hotel Waldecker Hof. On Friday and Saturday it is quite lively until late in the evening, because here is also the party mile.
The Center of Willingen is the Linenkerlplatz for the former old village church, which is now one of the most popular adventure bars "Don Camillo." In the center lies the beautiful spa park as an oasis of relaxation with a Kneipp pool and an art gallery.
The retail trade is largely run by the owner (narrow chains) and numerous in each branch. Along the Briloner Strasse and Waldecker Strasse invite attractive specialty shops with an individual atmosphere here everyone will find something suitable for shopping - current fashion collections of well-known and unusual brands, matching accessories, bags and jewelry, a wide range of shoes, sports and leisure articles, sportswear, gift items, books, drugstore goods, fragrances, flowers and much more.
Inform your hosts or tourist information about the VIP block. There you will find many vouchers and discount coupons for shops and restaurants.
For more information: www.einkaufswelt-willingen.deShow more
Gastronomy tips around the Skywalk
For more information (link to the restaurant) click on the name of the restaurant!
Café Aufwind aan de Mühlenkopfschans: There are warm dishes for small and large trekking, kaiserschmarrn, waffles, appelstrudel, cakes & cakes, ice cream
Forsthaus Stryck: idyllicly located on the Itterbach with terrace. There are seasonal dishes, changing daily dishes and even grandmother's cooking pot and homemade cakes and waffles.
Gastronomy in the Romantik-Hotel Stryckhaus: The Stryckhaus is Willingen's first hotel address. Day guests are also welcome in the restaurant. There is a luxurious restaurant or a rustic tavern with a small menu.
Gourmet-Restaurant Gutshof Itterbach in de Stryck: Willingen's first address in cultivated atmosphere with summer terrace in beautiful nature; First class kitchen for the demanding taste, at high prices. We recommend a Sunday brunch from 10.00 to 14.00 hours.
Café-Restaurant Hotel Friederike in the Stryck: Family-run hotel with homely cuisine and a café where you can dine inside and outside.
Siggis Ettelsberg hut: The cultut on the Ettelsberg, widely known. The furniture and the food offered are typically spartan in a hut and are limited to the essentials. Legendary is the pea soup with smoked bockwurst in a beer stuff. Every Saturday the bear rages like 2,000 happy people celebrating a big party. On other days it is pleasantly quiet.
Grave Stolberghut above the Diemelquelle: Cosy cabin with sun terrace and fantastic views at 708 meters above sea level. about 2.5 km away from the Skywalk towards Usseln. Rustic cuisine typical for huts with predominantly regional products. Homemade cakes, ice cream and milk specialities made with Upländer milk.
There are so many bars, pubs and restaurants in Willingen - that Willingen is the record holder for most restaurants per 1000 inhabitants in Germany. On a separate page we will introduce you to our personal favorite places where we like to eat. There is something for everyone, from breakfast to gourmet cuisine.
Our gastro-tips can be found HERE
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Willingen is worth a holiday all year round!
In NL Willingen is still more an insider tip - but among German guests Willingen is more popular than Winterberg.Het NL anwb-reisgids "Sauerland-appief" zegd over Willingen: "The healthy climate and the sporting possibilities here are similar to those in Winterberg, Willingen scores higher in appearance!" Willingen/Upland in the Sauerland (550-843m) is a sporty and salutary 4-season holiday resortAs a summer bonus for water fun there is the directly adjacent lake DiemelseeWith about 1.4 million overnight stays a year, Willingen/Diemelsee is the most visited low mountain destination of German holidaymakers and equally popular with families, active holidaymakers, seniors and party tourists. FewoZentrale Willingen offers beautiful holiday apartments and houses for almost all requirements. When do you book your holiday home or apartment in Willingen? "...more than you expect" - Willingen is known for its varied range, which in such a compact form is probably unique in Germany: hiking - nature experience - skiing & winter sports - mountain biking - party - family holiday - leisure world - water fun at the Diemelsee and top events. Such facilities are not just there, but Willingen has a TOP offer in almost all areas, making this holiday destination so attractive all year round. Click HERE for all major tourist information in the region of Willingen/Diemelsee of A-Z:
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Diemelsee - the recreational lake in front of Willingen
After the Skywalk in the summer just swim fast at Diemelsee?!
The Diemelsee is the smallest and most natural of the Sauerlandse reservoirs, but has its qualities, because on hot summer days it is varied but more contemplative than on the often overcrowded Möhnee or Edersee. At Diemelsee you experience a pleasant and stress-free summer day. It starts at the parking lot, because there are enough free parking Diemelsee.
Around the Diemelsee there are numerous summer attractions: the new SeePromenade Heringhausen, boat tour MS-Muffert; natural history trail about life on the lake; playgrounds; canoe rental, electric boats and pedalos. There is also a beautiful, usually nutritious hiking trail over the lake as partial surf (4.5 km) in combination with the ship (raft walk). Canoeing on the Diemel Promise an adventure.
In Heringhausen there is it "Visionarium"and the beautifully situated "Golf Park" with "Diemelseehütte" and a beautiful view of the lake.
It "Ferry house" is located on the Westphalian coast near Helming Houses Beach - one of the most popular motorcycle meetings in the Sauerland, where hundreds of motorcycles can be admired on sunny weekends. Motor paradise.
More Diemelsee information HERE
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Ski & winter sports in Willingen
Combine a visit to the Skywalk with a winter sports adventure day! Almost the entire winter sports offer is possible in Willingen: Alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, biathlon, cross country skiing, skating, curling, ice hockey, winter hiking, horse sledding and tobogganing. There are also ski lifts in Usseln. Numerous ski schools and ski rental. The annual highlight of the season is the FIS World Cup ski jumping at the Mühlenkopfschanze - and the après-ski of Willingen on weekends is legendary!All winter sports information HERE Webcams of all ski resorts in Sauerland click HERE!
Village plan Willingen
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Image Gastronomy: Rüthers Parkhotel Willingen all other pictures: willingen.de, fewozentrale-willingen