© Rothaarsteigverein e.V. | Klaus-Peter Kappest
Forest, meadows, wonderland – hiking the Rothaarsteig Trails
Hiking Collection by Rothaarsteig
13
Tours
54:28 h
119 mi
14,475 ft
Gentle low mountain ranges, dense forests, and magnificent heathland with a wonderful long-distance hiking trail right through the middle – the Rothaarsteig. The 154-kilometre (95 mile) trail is not the only way to discover the Rothaar Mountains’ spectacular nature. Between the town of Brilon, the starting point on the northern edge of the Sauerland, and the orange town of Dillenburg in the south, you also find circular hiking trails, the so-called Rothaarsteig Trails, which make for ideal day hikes.
In this Collection, we present the 13 of the most rewarding Tours on the Rothaarsteig Trails, which make wonderful day trips. Hike to the summit of the Kahler Asten or experience untouched nature in unique biotopes in the extensive heath and meadow areas on the Kahle Pön or the Wacholderweg (Juniper Way). Hike along historic or art-influenced paths and experience old and new handicrafts on the Sorper Panoramapfad and get (almost) up close and personal with good-natured and majestic bison. You have lots to choose from, but a relaxing day in nature is guaranteed on every trail.
The Tours range in length from just under seven to 23 kilometres (4.3 to 14.2 miles) and are mostly manageable with a good level of fitness. We also recommend sturdy shoes, hiking poles, a snack and, of course, plenty of fluids. On most Tours, you find places to stop for refreshments, but it is best to find out about opening times and reservations in advance so that you can plan ahead. Many of the Tours on the Rothaarsteig are well connected to the bus and rail network. You can find more information about travelling by public transport for specific tours here: rothaarsteig.de/en/tour-planning/with-bus-train.
The paths are either part of the Rothaarsteig or run along a Rothaarsteig access path. So that you don't lose track of the waymarking, here is the most important information in brief: The main path is marked with a white, horizontal R on a red background, the access and exit paths are marked with a black, horizontal R on a yellow background and the Rothaarsteig Trails are marked with a white, horizontal R on a black background.
Many species of game live in the vast forests along the Rothaarsteig. You may encounter red deer, wild boar, mouflon, and even bison. Don’t frighten the animals – keep your distance nad behave respectfully. Dogs must be kept on a lead. If you come across a bison with calves and they consider your four-legged friend to be a threat, then unclip your dog from the lead – he/she will be faster alone and will find you again.
Allow us to say a few words about safety on the Rothaarsteig: the Rothaarsteig is equipped with rescue signs throughout, on which you will find a number that you must provide if you call emergency services. This way, the rescue team knows exactly where to find you. To minimise the risk of forest fires, keep to the smoking ban from 1 March to 31 October. This keeps the densely forested slopes and valleys untouched.
And now, enough rambling. You can look forward to unforgettable excursions along the Rothaarsteig and enjoy the nature, culture, history and hospitality of the region to the full!
If you would like to be inspired further or even dare to do the long-distance hike, you can find out more about the Rothaarsteig here: komoot.de/collection/1069264/ueber-den-hoechsten-kamm-des-sauerlands-der-rothaarsteig.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- Intermediate01:534.25 mi2.3 mph375 ft375 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The name says it all on this tour: From Kahle Pön you have an impressive 360-degree panorama over the Willinger Upland. The Kahle Pön nature reserve, located 774 meters high, opens up a varied heather landscape on its hiking trails that will enchant you.
You start at the hiking car park "Auf’m Knoll…
by Rothaarsteig
- Intermediate03:086.90 mi2.2 mph750 ft775 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the Grönebacher village path you circle the picturesque place and enjoy great views of the landscape. The route has rightly been awarded the German hiking seal as a premium route. The tour starts at the hiking board at Lambertusplatz. A grassy path takes you to the "Schlade" leisure facility and a…
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- Intermediate04:5010.4 mi2.1 mph1,550 ft1,550 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the Rothaarsteig trail Kahler Asten-Steig you hike from Westfeld to the Kahler Asten, the father of the Sauerland mountains, and enjoy a wonderful view from there before you walk back to Westfeld. You follow the black Rothaarsteig marking, a white, lying R on a black background.
The tour starts in…
by Rothaarsteig
- Intermediate03:418.29 mi2.2 mph825 ft825 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
This tour is characterized by artistic craftsmanship and idyllic nature. The Sorpe Valley at the foot of Hunau and Kahler Asten is a special idyll. Narrow and winding, it follows the course of the Sorpe River. Surrounded by coniferous and hardwood forests, you will discover traditional farms and well…
by Rothaarsteig
- Intermediate03:578.63 mi2.2 mph1,050 ft1,050 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this tour you will immerse yourself in the world of the bison and follow in the footsteps of these shaggy and magnificent animals. The bison is also called the European bison and is a European type of cattle. The animals were widespread in the primeval forests of western, central and south-eastern…
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- Intermediate03:317.33 mi2.1 mph1,150 ft1,175 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Dense forests, enchanted rocks and wonderful panoramic views: all of this awaits you on this tour. The circular hiking trail, which is certified as a “Quality Trail Wanderable Germany”, inspires with its wild and romantic nature. You follow old donkey paths on adventurous paths and can top off your trip…
by Rothaarsteig
- Intermediate04:4610.3 mi2.2 mph1,375 ft1,400 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On this tour you will experience a particularly beautiful path on the Rothaarsteig along the idyllic valleys of Lahn, Ilse and Weidelbach and over the panoramic heights of Mackelshelle and Hoher Ley. The hike begins at the Zum Eichholz hiking portal in Feudingen. First you climb up to the slope of the…
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- Expert06:1613.8 mi2.2 mph1,650 ft1,525 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On this tour you combine the idyllic Dilltal with a detour to the panoramic Rothaarkamm. On the way to the Rothaarkamm you cross the historic Hauberg Offdilln, which gives you exciting insights into this ancient form of forest management. This form of coppice forest management originated in the 13th…
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- Expert06:5315.0 mi2.2 mph1,900 ft1,925 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The greats of German poetry will accompany you on the tour through the romantic Hickengrund: Goethe, Schiller and Novalis. At seven different listening stations you can listen to the wonderful poems and writings read aloud in idyllic nature and let yourself be enchanted by the combination of poetry and…
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- Intermediate03:016.45 mi2.1 mph950 ft925 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Trödelsteinpfad leads you from Buchhellertal to the "Trödelstein". On the way you will experience the peculiarities of the basalt-like natural landscape between the Rothaargebirge and Westerwald. The tour starts at the hiking car park in Austraße in Wahlbach. From there you go into the forest and…
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- Intermediate04:359.93 mi2.2 mph1,125 ft1,100 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Wacholderweg has a lot of variety ready for you: On the tree nature trail in the Reistenbachtal you can discover a variety of rare animal and plant species, on the CO2 nature trail you gain interesting insights into the current topic. You can cool and relax your tired hiking feet on the Waat-Tret…
by Rothaarsteig
- Intermediate04:189.48 mi2.2 mph1,000 ft1,000 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Coral reefs, caves, tunnels, burial chambers, gorges and streams shrinking - on the Breitscheid cave tour you can discover the geological diversity of the Westerwald. The hike begins at the Wildweiberhäuschen hiking car park, a legendary, striking limestone cliff. From here the path runs into the Aubach…
by Rothaarsteig
- Intermediate03:388.28 mi2.3 mph750 ft725 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Gernsdorfer Höhentour is a forest and meadow hike as it is written in the book. You are offered a varied landscape as well as great paths through forests and idyllic meadow landscapes. You will explore the nature reserve "Gernsdorfer Weidekämpe", which is a specialty due to the diversity of the cultivated…
by Rothaarsteig
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Collection Stats
- Tours13
- Distance119 mi
- Duration54:28 h
- Elevation14,475 ft
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