Brilon: Old Town, Geology and Hiking Trails

Brilon combines a historic old town with fascinating insights into the history of the Earth and a range of themed trails. The Haus Hövener town museum is right on the market square; two certified hiking trails also start there. Brilon therefore offers a variety of options for planning your trip: architecture and local history, geological features or a route through the landscape.

Old Town, Town Hall and Town Museum

Brilon’s old town preserves a well-maintained architectural heritage dating back centuries. The market square’s historic landmarks include a group of half-timbered buildings and the town hall. Built around 1250, the town hall has a Baroque façade and is considered one of Germany’s oldest town halls. The imposing west tower of the Provost Church of St. Peter and St. Andrew is another prominent feature: it is regarded as Brilon’s landmark.

The Haus Hövener town museum is in the centre of Brilon, right on the market square. The building has been largely preserved in its 1910 condition. Inside, an interactive model of the town offers insights into life in Brilon in centuries past. Original Iguanodon bones are also on display. They were discovered in 1978 in a quarry near Brilon-Nehden. Themed town tours can be booked through the museum; check availability before your trip.

The Brilon Schnadezug is another link to the town’s history. It is one of Westphalia’s largest and most distinctive folk festivals, and celebrates Brilon’s customs and traditions. Its history goes back more than 620 years; it has been documented as a boundary walk since 1388. No specific event dates are given here, so check them separately if the Schnadezug is relevant to your trip.

Geological Features and Themed Trails

The Geologischer Sprung Brilon trail brings to life two distinct geological features from the Devonian period: the limestone hills of the Brilon Plateau and the diabase deposits of Bilstein. The approximately 8-kilometre themed trail links these geological transitions with panoramic views. One notable spot is the viewing platform on the 634-metre-high Bilstein spoil heap. If you are interested in how different rock formations developed and changed, this trail brings both together under one theme.

The DinoSpuren in Brilon-Nehden trail also has a clear theme. This family-friendly circular route focuses on dinosaur tracks, is about 800 metres long and has no strenuous climbs. Another option is the Landschaftstherapeutischer Weg Brilon: it is 2.54 kilometres long and features the Feenklang sound installation, a reference to Brilon’s forest fairy. The distances provide a first guide when choosing a route: from the short dinosaur loop to the landscape trail and the longer Geologischer Sprung.

Hiking Trails Starting from the Market Square

The certified Rothaarsteig and the certified Briloner Kammweg both start at Brilon’s market square. This makes the square not only a focal point of the old town but also a named starting point for these two routes. The main route of the Gewerkenweg starts or ends at the Haus Hövener museum. In Brilon’s Bürgerwald, the section from the Kyrill Gate to the Feuereiche is part of the Briloner Kammweg and the Rothaarsteig.

A specific section of the Rothaarsteig is also described: the route from Brilon to Bruchhausen is 17.02 kilometres long and passes through Olsberg. Compared with the approximately 800-metre dinosaur loop, it is a much longer route section; however, the two distances refer to different types of trails and destinations.

Discover more destinations: Radlinghausen, Madfeld, Alme, Brilon-Wald, Gudenhagen, Hoppecke, Nehden, Bontkirchen.

Return to the regional travel overview: Hochsauerlandkreis.