Hike: From the Aggerquelle to the Genkeltalsperre in Meinerzhagen

We start our hike at the hiking parking lot at the entrance portal to the Sauerland-Höhenflug long-distance hiking trail (Schallershaus) in Meinerzhagen and hike towards the Meinhardusschanzen ski jump facility. A few meters away is the source of the Agger, which flows into the Sieg after 69 km between Siegburg and Troisdorf. We follow the Sauerland-Höhenflug (white H on a yellow background) for approx. 500 m and then leave it to the right. It goes slightly downhill, you cross the Sauerland-Höhenflug again and come to a wider path. Turn right here and then right again 300 m further on. Once again, we reach the Sauerland-Höhenflug hiking trail, on which we now continue along the babbling brook to Badinghagen Castle. The romantic half-timbered Wasserschloß, which was first mentioned in a document in 1160, is now in private use and can therefore only be viewed from the outside. We then turn right and Wenden left at the next opportunity. We now walk along the right-hand side of the large pond and walk a short distance alongside the L323. Then cross the road and continue along the slightly ascending path until you reach the wide alder path. Follow this to the left for 200 m and then continue along a narrow path, from where you can enjoy wonderful views over meadows and forests as far as the Agger valley. Shortly before the village of Helberg, we meet up with the Erlenweg again and turn right from it in a north-westerly direction. The route now climbs through varied sections of forest to the refuge at Harkenstiel. Here you have completed about half of the hike and can treat yourself to a leisurely rest at the hut. Then head downhill through picturesque beech forest and follow the Dreslerweg trail to the left. 200 m further on, turn right and you can already see the water surface of the Genkeltalsperre dam on your left. The water body is a pure drinking water reservoir, which is mainly fed by the Genkel and Grotmicke rivers. We continue along the dam and follow the left-hand bend of the path. Then turn right three times and gradually leave the Genkeltalsperre behind you. We follow the path past lush Weide pastures into the Grotmicke valley. At the gauging station, keep left and continue along the course of the stream and through meadows towards Heed. The Heed guest house is located in this small district of Meinerzhagen. The forest and environmental education center is a former Friends of Nature house that accommodates 36 beds and also serves as a conference and seminar venue. You can also sample homemade cakes and coffee here on Sundays and public holidays between 2 and 4 pm and by appointment. After we have fortified ourselves, we continue walking and keep to the left. Cross the L323, walk a short distance to the right along the country road and turn right at the next fork in the road. We follow the path out of the forest and can soon see the Meinhardusschanzen on the right. At the Schützenplatz, turn right and continue along the L306n for a short distance, which leads back to the starting point.