recommended route
Multi-day route
Rothaarsteig
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Landscape framework on the Kornberg at the RothaarsteigPhoto: CC BY-SA, Rothaarsteigverein e.V. / Klaus-Peter Kappest
- Thanks to the good signage – trail markers every 250 meters –
you can clear your mind and focus on nature.
Map or app can stay in your backpack. - A week of vacation is enough to hike the entire Rothaarsteig in eight stages.
- You can still experience true silence, on some stages there is only you and nature.
- A real reward are the magnificent views over the mountainous landscape.
- To enjoy nature and silence, you will find forest sofas and hammocks along the way.
- Refreshment at a total of 11 springs along the path.
- The purple spectacle of blooming heath and foxglove areas in summer.
- The suspension bridge on stage 4, which is also a special photo spot.
- The option to experience the path also in winter with snow.
- The trail is easily accessible from all directions as it lies centrally in Germany.
- Arrival and departure to/from Brilon or Dillenburg can be done completely sustainably by train.
- The certified Rothaarsteig quality providers know exactly what you need after a strenuous hike.
- Hike the route together with your dog. There are dog-friendly accommodations at all stage destinations.
- The Rothaarsteig team will gladly assist you personally and free of charge with your route planning.
We look forward to seeing you
Your Rothaarsteig Team
By the way, the Rothaarsteig belongs to the Top Trails of Germany. The 14 best long-distance trails in Germany.
The Rothaarsteig runs north-south over the ridge of the Rothaar mountains. The starting point is Brilon on the northeastern edge of the Sauerland. Over the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia – the Langenberg (843m) – the Rothaarsteig passes by the source of the Ruhr to Winterberg to the Kahler Asten (842m). Here in the source area of the Lenne, the second major river in the Sauerland, the Rothaarsteig turns west and runs south of Schmallenberg to the Rhein-Weser Tower. From the Rhein-Weser Tower it heads south again through the Rothaar foothills into the Hilchenbach valley and further into the source area of the Lahn, Sieg, and Eder above Netphen. Over the Haincher Höhe, the Rothaarsteig finally reaches its destination, the town of Dillenburg with the imposing Wilhelmsturm.
You can find stage descriptions and further tips for route planning at www.rothaarsteig.de.
Author’s recommendation
- a total of 11 springs, including the sources of the Ruhr, Sieg, Dill, and Lahn rivers
- the numerous viewpoints and experience points
- the Bruchhauser Steine
- the suspension bridge at Kühhude
- the forest sculpture trail
- the Kyrill Path in Schanze
- the natural monument "Lukaseiche"
- the towns of Brilon, Winterberg, and Dillenburg
- and much more
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Hotel BuiterlingHotel Rech
Hiebammen Hütte
Waldhotel Schinkenwirt
Schlosshotel Brilon-Wald
Gutscafé Rosenbogen Heidrich
GastHof Lichte
Berghotel Hoher Knochen
Landhotel Gasthof Schütte
Waldkiosk "Schanze 1"
Landschaftsgasthaus Schanze 1
Landhotel Gasthof Hubertus
Hotel Jagdhaus Wiese
Hotel Jagdhaus Wiese
Zur Hahnenquelle
Hotel-Restaurant Ginsberger Heide
Forsthaus Hohenroth forest information center
Getränkekühlschrank am Waldheim
Landgasthof "Zur Siegquelle"
Safety information
Information about the emergency location signs on the RothaarsteigHiking trails mostly run away from towns and settlements, and everyone who hikes has surely wondered what would happen if there was an emergency now. How can I be found here? Where exactly am I? Can emergency services reach me?
In an emergency, things need to move quickly! Therefore, the Rothaarsteig is continuously equipped with so-called rescue signs. On the green and white plates attached to the posts of the signposts there is a number that you must provide when making an emergency call. This way, rescue workers know exactly where you are, and valuable time can be saved.
Note on increased forest fire risk
Please note that due to dryness there is currently a heightened forest fire risk! Please observe the following rules:
- Observe the legal smoking ban in the forest – it applies in spring, summer, and autumn, specifically from March 1st to October 31st.
- Observe the ban on open fires in the forest and within 100 meters of the forest.
- Take glass out of the forest – the burning glass effect can cause forest fires.
If it is (too) late:
- Extinguish small fires if you can do so safely. Check the spot carefully if needed.
- Report fires via "112".
- Leave the danger zone by the shortest route.
The forest thanks you!
Tips and suggestions
Further information about the Rothaarsteig can be found at www.rothaarsteig.de or by phone at the free service hotline at +49 2974 / 499 4163. We are happy to advise you personally on your route planning.Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Whether you start your hike on the Rothaarsteig in the north or south, both Brilon (Brilon Stadt station) and Dillenburg (Dillenburg main station) are easily accessible by train. If you want to hike the entire Rothaarsteig, we even recommend arriving and departing by train. Also because the travel time between Brilon and Dillenburg by train is quite time-consuming and takes about four hours.In addition, several other places on the Rothaarsteig are well connected to bus and train networks.
If you come by car, we recommend using public transport at the start of your tour and positioning your car at the endpoint. That way, you do not have to conform to the bus/train timetable during the hike.
Directions
Brilon
You can reach Brilon from the north and east via the A 44 and from the south and west via the A 445/A 46.
Dillenburg
You can reach Dillenburg via the A 45, exit 25 Dillenburg.
Parking
Brilon:You can park your car free of charge in Brilon at the parking lot on "Krummestraße" or at the district office (Am Rothaarsteig 1). Enter "Marktplatz" in your navigation system.
Dillenburg:
Free parking spaces can be found at the stadium in Dillenburg. Enter "Am Sportzentrum" on your GPS.
Also, in many towns along the Rothaarsteig, there are usually free hiking parking lots where you can park your car.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
To prepare for your hike, we would be happy to send you our free information package. At rothaarsteig.de/prospekte you can easily choose which information you need. A good companion for every tour is our Rothaarsteig guide with hosts along the trail and other useful information.
Author’s map recommendations
The original Rothaarsteig hiking map at a scale of 1:50000 on waterproof paper, with current routing and useful markings such as shelters, parking lots, bus stops, and more, can be conveniently ordered for 11.00 euros including shipping under this link.
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
The Rothaarsteig leads over numerous natural paths away from agricultural and forestry roads. Therefore, weatherproof clothing and sturdy footwear are a must for every hike. We want you not just to experience the “Path of the Senses” "dry" but also to have “good” footing.In our small hiking shop at www.rothaarsteig.de/shop, you will also find a selection of Rothaarsteig items for preparing your tour or as souvenirs. We also gladly recommend the durable and quality outdoor equipment from our longtime partner, the outdoor outfitter Tatonka.
- Hiking Backpack
- First Aid Kit
To enjoy your hiking tour on the Rothaarsteig without restrictions, a first aid kit should definitely be in your backpack. After all, nothing is more annoying than having a blister on your foot or small injuries that cannot be treated properly right away. The first aid kits from Tatonka are equipped with all important materials for initial treatment of injuries and also contain an “outdoor cheat sheet” with a brief and clear guide for the correct behavior in emergencies in the outdoors. Here you can find the first aid kits from Tatonka!
- Food and Drinks
On some stages, especially between the Lahn source and Dillenburg, there are unfortunately no places to eat along the way. Be sure to pack food and drinks here, especially in summer adequate hydration is important.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
The stage of the Rothaarsteig runs for 23.4 km from Brilon to Willingen: the start is the historic center of the Hanseatic city of Brilon.
This stage of the Rothaarsteig covers 22 km from Willingen to Winterberg – over the highest point in North Rhine-Westphalia (Langenberg 843 m), ...
This stage of the Rothaarsteig follows 18 km from Winterberg, past the St. Georg Schanze, the Winterberg bobsleigh track, over the Kahler Asten to ...
On the fourth stage of the Rothaarsteig, picturesque places and pure nature come together. You can choose between the ridge and valley variants.
This Rothaarsteig stage leads 14.4 km from the Rhein-Weser-Turm to the Ginsberger Heide - through the Schwarzbachtal nature reserve, the ...
The Rothaarsteig stage leads approximately 19 km from the Ginsberger Heide to the Lahn source - passing the Ginsburg and the Gillerbergturm, ...
The Rothaarsteig stage from the Lahn source to Wilgersdorf leads past the Ilse source, over the Jagdberg, onto the Haincher height, to the source ...
The stage of the Rothaarsteig leads over approximately 22 kilometers from Wilgersdorf to Dillenburg, passing the Westerwaldblick viewpoint over ...
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