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The Upland community of Willingen is located in the Rothaar Mountains and is part of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district, Hesse, Germany. Willingen is about 60 km west of the city of Kassel. The community comprises several villages, Welleringhausen with 90 residents being the smallest and Willingen with 2500 residents being the largest village. The region is mountainous and wooded, the mountains range in altitude between 700m and 800m above sea level. The rivers Itter, Hoppecke and Diemel originate here.
Willingen was first mentioned in documents in 1380. In the centuries to come the main sources of income were hunting and iron production. Willingen was totally destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and only reluctantly reconstructed the following 100 years. In the 19th century large parts of the population migrated due to economic reasons. In 1898 Willingen got a telephone connection to the neighbouring Usseln. In 1913 the construction of the Upland railway started, since then the Willing Viaduct is the community’s landmark.
Since 1957 Willingen has been a Kneipp spa resort.
Willingen enjoys a low alpine climate. Temperatures in the winter are just below freezing, while in July the average temperature is around 14,3°C. Both winter and summer see a lot of rain. April/May and August to October are the driest months and the ideal times for hikes through one of the six nature reserves located around Willingen.
Have a look at our weater forecast for today, tomorrow or for the weekend.
This Sauerland winter sports destination recently became famous because of the FIS World Cup Ski Jumping event taking place every year at the end of January.
Willingen ski resort offers 18km of pistes and modern lifts suitable for the whole family. Snow making machines provide snow for most parts of the trails; night skiing fun is guaranteed by flood lighting.
A true experience is Ettelsberg cable car, which takes you to the top of Hochheide Hiking Region, boasting a fantastic view. Mountain bikers always enjoy the Biker Festival Willingen at the second half of May. This event should not be confused with the Bike Week – a Harley Davidson Meeting in mid-July.
Bad weather is the right time to visit a museum: Visitor Mine Christine, Upland Milk Museum, Vintage Car Museum Curiseum,or Usseln Local History Parlour. There is also a leisure, nature and Dino park.