The Sauerland is a hilly, forested region in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, halfway between Dortmund and Kassel. It is the closest thing to mountains that the millions of people living between Cologne and Düsseldorf have, and they flock here in winter for skiing and in summer for hiking and cycling.
The main town is Winterberg, which has the best skiing facilities — around ten lifts, enough for a long weekend. The peaks top out at about 840 metres, so snow is less reliable than in the Alps, but when conditions are right the slopes are perfectly enjoyable. Weekends can get crowded; weekdays are much quieter.
In summer the Sauerland is surprisingly pretty — rolling hills, reservoirs, and small timber-framed towns. The Biggesee and Sorpesee are popular for swimming and sailing, and the Rothaarsteig long-distance trail crosses the region.
