- Willingen and Lake Diemelsee.
Willingen/Sauerland (550-843m) in the nature park Diemelsee is a sporty and climatological resort with four seasons. As a summer addition for water fun, there is the directly adjacent to the lake Diemelsee.With about 1.4 million overnight stays, Willingen/Diemelsee is the most visited holiday destination in the German Middle Mountains. 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!"
In Willingen you can experience two of the most beautiful German holiday regions, because Willingen still belongs to Hesse and forms the border between the holiday regions Sauerland and Waldecker Land/Lake Edersee. With eight >800m high mountains and a wide range of recreational facilities, the Willingen Upland is both a very popular family holiday home - hiking and winter sports address. What more do you want?! 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
The landmark of Willingen is the imposing viaduct with the Stryckpark and in the middle of the center lies the beautiful Spacing park from the climate and Kneipp-kunurord Willingen.
Five top hiking trails meet in Willingen (Uplandsteig, Rothaarsteig, Diemelsteig, Sauerland-Höhenflug and Briloner Kammweg), therefore the landscape around Willingen has become the most popular hiking area in Sauerland. Trade mark of the Upland Steig are the wide views of the highest peaks of the Sauerland. Due to its intensive milk and grazing economy, the Upland is also called "Allgäu van het noorden" Upland dairy farming has a "MilkMuhseum".
The 838m high Ettelsberg - the heart of Willingen - can be reached with the Cableway, where the hiking trails begin through Germany's largest and highest heath. The Hochheide Tower offers it highest panoramic view (875m) in northwest Germany.
Cult is the Ettelsberg hut of the well-known host Siggi: "No alps in the Alps can compete with Siggis hut!" (Magazine FOCUS).
"Willingen - everything I want"! No other German holiday resort fits this slogan better, because nowhere can one find such a place. compact variety of recreational activities:
There is all year round swimming fun and relaxation in the lagoon water park Willingen with sauna landscape - and on hot summer days it cools beautifully outdoor pool Usseln Go.
Cycling and Mountainbike World Willingen with 250 km signposted MTB Routes and freeride, fourcross and Ettelsberg World Cup runs. Every year in June, the biggest German mountain bike event takes place.
Popular with families is only 26 km from Willingen Adventure Country "Fort Fun" (a kind of Efteling) with many fast moving attractions, such as looping ... etc.
Especially for family holidays Willingen is a special experience with its variety of offers and nature. The leisure world Willingen offers summer toboggan run, Wild & amusement park, visitor mine, Curiosum, adventure golf, indoor kart track, bowling center, climbing hall, high rope course, ice rink, summer adventure camp, cinema, glass factory, covered riding stable, canoe on the Diemel, golf club Brilon , Paragliding, etc.
Top destination for excursions in the region is Lake Edersee, 35 km away - Germany's most famous reservoir - with Waldeck Castle and the Kellerwald National Park/Edersee And the park center. With the MeineCardPlus Most recreational attractions in Willingen, Edersee region and North Hesse can be used for free - including public transport.
Diemelsee Nature Park
NATURE is very important in the Upland. Willingen is part of the Diemelsee Nature Park with its vast forests, the largest highness in Germany, charming streams and valleys, numerous geological attractions such as the Kyrillpad. One of the most popular geological excursion destinations in Sauerland are the volcanic Bruchhausen bricks 7 km from Willingen. The certified quality hiking trail Diemelsteig walks through the nature park Diemelsee. The region was once a coast and is one of the most important fossil sites in the northern hemisphere. National Geopark Grenzwelten and in Bonhage Museum in Korbach.
At the lake Diemelsee There are numerous seaside resorts + dog beach, boat rental and passenger transport. The main tourist resort on the Diemelsee is Heringhausen with a small adventure pool/sauna And golf park. Here is also the 2015 newly opened interactive Visionary of the Diemelsee Nature Park and the Tourist Info. The largest place of the Diemelsee community is Adorf with visitor mine and all shops of daily need. Worth seeing is it Monastery of Flechtdorf. The Diemel cycle path From Usseln leads to Bad Karlshafen, where the Diemel flows into the Weser.
Willingen in Winter:
Willingen with alpine flair is one of the most popular highland ski resorts. The ski resort Willingen is one of the top 5 ski resorts in the German Middle Mountains. 15 km of panoramic slopes, of which 6 km is illuminated; 11 lifts, conveyor belts and 6-8 seat-lifts; Departure lengths of 600-2000m; More than 100 snow cannons guarantee a snow sure ski season from December to March.
DSV-Nordic-Activ-Center with 110 km of trails of all abilities - 20 km above 750 m above sea level - allows good cross-country skiing conditions for low mountain ranges. Jochen Behle, the cross-country ski legend of Germany and former DSV national coach, is based in Willingen. Olympic training ground EWF Biathlon Arena in Usseln with 2 km of snow-covered illuminated runway (in summer tarred ice rink)
The highlight in winter is the annual FIS World Cup jumping competition for more than 50,000 visitors on the Mühlenkopfschans - the biggest ski jump in the world!
Legendary is the après-ski From Willingen! ... and all year round "Saturday Night Fever" with 14 (!) dance rooms for all generations is unique in Germany's holiday destinations. Whether it's for your annual holiday, the short holiday, for family holidays or a weekend away - Willingen with its variety of offers all year round is always worth a visit.
Nice holiday in Willingen wish you the
Willingen and the nature park Diemelsee - all holiday themes in detail
Willingen - Your holiday spot in the Sauerland
Willingen is known for his diversity and top events, in such a compact form unique in Germany. Whether it's nature lovers, families, winter sportsmen, mountain bikers or partyers - in Willingen everyone finds their perfect TOP offer, making this resort so attractive all year round.
Ski and Winter sports in Willingen
Willingen is ideal for winter holidays and offers the whole range of winter sports. Alpine skiing, ski jumping, biathlon, Nordic skating, cross country skiing, skating, curling, winter hiking and tobogganing. There are the longest ski slopes in the Sauerland, plenty of ski schools and ski rental. Search on our website aimed at a ski lift-proof apartment (max. 500m).
Family Recreational Facilities & Events
"Anything I want" - Willingen and the nature park Diemelsee offer a range of great leisure facilities and business opportunities, as well as top events that are so compact in almost every other resort.
There are many indoor and outdoor possibilities here. Willingen doesn't bore you!
Lake Diemelsee
The Diemelsee is the smallest but most natural reservoir of the Sauerland, nestled in the charming landscape of the nature park. Offer the lake and the resort with the same name a relaxed atmosphere in a beautiful nature with numerous beach pools and recreational facilities. At the vote of the most popular recreational lakes 2016 (seen.de) the Diemelsee took place sixth.
Cycling in the Sauerland
Willingen offers the whole spectrum of cycling, whether it's downhill, mountain bike, race bike, family tours on the Diemelradweg or an e-bike tour through nature.
Restaurant & party tips
Here we introduce you to our favorite places, where we like to eat. There is something for everyone, from breakfast to gastronomic cuisine. Also tips for après-ski and nightlife.
Walking in the Upland
Hiking trails "preparably" - there is a network of high quality hiking trails around Willingen that is unique in Germany. For hikers the No.1 in the Sauerland!
sights
Sauerland - excursions
Edersee & National Park
Spa & Wellness
swimming pools/beach pools
Sauerland Card
MeineCardPlus
Family Pass Willingen
Our holiday tips
event calendar
Videos
Webcams region & Ski Resort
Info for Homeowners
Map of Willingen
Willingen & Diemelsee Videos
Willingen - Holiday Attractions & Holiday homes
Open on the original website ↗
Willingen from above
Open on the original website ↗
Leisure world Willingen
Open on the original website ↗
Ski resort Willingen
Open on the original website ↗
Diemelsee Nature Park
Open on the original website ↗
Summer activities on the Diemelsee
Open on the original website ↗
TV-reportage - Tobis citytrip - Willingen
Open on the original website ↗