Hochsauerlandkreis, Administrative district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Hochsauerlandkreis is a rural district in the Arnsberg administrative region of North Rhine-Westphalia, covering forested mountain ranges and river valleys. The landscape alternates between densely wooded slopes, open pastures, and small towns with traditional architecture.
This district came into being on January 1, 1975, when three older districts merged during regional government restructuring. The reform combined the mountain areas of the eastern Sauerland under a single administration.
The district capital Meschede sits between forested hills and serves as the administrative center with a preserved old town core. Many settlements retain their village character with timber-framed houses and small churches built from local sandstone.
Twelve municipalities make up this district, connected by country roads and bus routes with Meschede serving as the central hub. In winter, warm clothing is advisable as the higher areas often experience snow and wind.
Winterberg draws skiers and snowboarders from nearby Netherlands seeking the shortest journey to winter sports areas. In summer, the same slopes transform into trails for mountain bikers and hikers.
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