Sauerland-Höhenflug: A chair for giants in the "Tuscany of the Sauerland"

From the bus stop Hesborn, Ortsmitte, take bus no. 361 to Hallenberg, Heinrich-Hugo-Platz. The Sauerland-Höhenflug crosses the main road through Hallenberg at the pedestrian crossing. You are directly on the long-distance hiking trail!Hallenberg is famous for its open-air stage, the Hallenberg Easter Night and its half-timbered ensemble. More than 50 half-timbered houses in the town area, including the "Kump", a half-timbered building on the market square that now houses the information center, are protected as architectural monuments.From Hallenberg, the high-altitude route first leads up to the Siegelsberg (470 m above sea level), from where you can enjoy your first beautiful view of Hallenberg and the Heidkopf tower. The trail winds its way through meadows and fields towards Liesen, following a beautiful crossroads in places.Above Liesen on the Kohlberg (528 m above sea level), a very special highlight awaits. The eight-metre-high Sauerland-Stabil-Panorama-Stuhl is enthroned up here. From its "seat", you have a fantastic 360° panoramic view over Liesen, Hallenberg and Hesborn all the way into the Medebach Bay. Here, hikers and day-trippers can rest, relax and enjoy the magnificent view of the bird and landscape conservation areas. The giant chair was created in collaboration with furniture manufacturer Kusch & Co. from Hallenberg. It is based on the classic chair from 1947, the seating furniture manufacturer's first chair, which was called "Program 100" at the time. The oversized version of the chair is not only an impressive work of art, but is also combined with something practical, a viewing platform. In this way, hikers can experience typical Sauerland comfort, fantastic panoramas and unspoilt nature.The high-altitude trail now descends through meadows from the Kohlberg, crosses the L 617 and leads directly into the Liesetal-Hilmesberg FFH area. The Liesen valley is not only characterized by a close interlocking of forest and open land, but is also home to many endangered habitats such as rough pastures, golden and harbour meadows and wet grassland. To the east of this FFH area rises the Hilmesberg (634 m above sea level), on the ridge of which there is a large mountain heath.Continue to the "Hohe Schlade" parking lot and through meadows to the "Im Tal" rest area. A short time later, we leave the Sauerland-Höhenflug and hike via the Hallenberg hiking trail to the center of Hesborn.