Rothaarsteig

The Rothaarsteig runs north to south along the ridge of the Rothaar Mountains. The trail begins in Brilon, located on the northeastern edge of the Sauerland. The route leads over the Langenberg, a prominent peak in North Rhine-Westphalia, past the source of the Ruhr River, and on to Winterberg and the Kahler Asten. These sections define the experience in the Hochsauerland region. In the headwaters of the Lenne, another major river of the Sauerland, the Rothaarsteig veers westward and continues south of Schmallenberg to the Rhine-Weser Tower. From there, the trail leads south through the foothills of the Rothaar Mountains, passing through the Hilchenbacher Winkel, to the headwaters of the Lahn, Sieg, and Eder rivers above Netphen. Crossing the Haincher Höhe, the Rothaarsteig finally reaches the “Oranienstadt” (City of the Orange) Dillenburg, whose cityscape is dominated by the imposing Wilhelmsturm. To ensure the safety of hikers, the Rothaarsteig is equipped with a comprehensive emergency response plan. Emergency signs are positioned on the posts of the trail markers along the entire route. These green-and-white plaques bear a specific number; providing this number during an emergency call enables emergency services to pinpoint the hiker’s location precisely. This ensures rapid and efficient assistance in case of an emergency by eliminating the need to waste valuable time determining the hiker’s location.

Ascent

2894 m

Descent

3123 m

Highest point

838 m

Lowest point

224 m

The section of the Rothaarsteig Trail from Brilon to Bruchhausen offers hikers a multifaceted experience of nature and culture. Starting from Brilon’s historic market square—the official starting point of this section—the route is consistently marked with a horizontal “R” on a red background. Flexible entry points—such as at Olsberg-Touristik, in the center of Elleringhausen, and in Brilon-Wald—allow hikers to customize their route. Along the way, the mysterious ruins of the Borberg churchyard reveal themselves, bearing witness to the region’s long history. The “Meiler, Wälle, Wüstungen” themed trail complements this exploration with cultural-historical sites that offer deep insights into past ways of life and work. A striking landmark is the “Fire Oak,” visible from afar, whose metal band forms a symbolic flame and blends impressively into the natural backdrop. At the Ginsterkopf, hikers are greeted by a sweeping 360-degree panorama. From this elevated vantage point, a comprehensive view opens up over the characteristic low-mountain landscape, shaped by gentle ridges and dense forests. The atmosphere of the Rothaarsteig varies with the light of the day and the specific characteristics of the seasons—from springtime freshness to the vibrant colors of autumn—and always reveals its own unique character. This stage represents a successful blend of nature-based relaxation and cultural discovery that authentically conveys the essence of the Hochsauerland region.

Ascent

470 m

Descent

487 m

Highest point

657 m

Lowest point

431 m

The Rothaarsteig stage from Bruchhausen to Niedersfeld begins at the hiking parking lot at the entrance to the renowned “Europa-Golddorf” (European Gold Village) of Bruchhausen. The trailhead for this long-distance hiking route first leads through the center of the village, past the Rosencafé, and climbs moderately until it reaches the upper edge of the forest, where the Rothaarsteig route begins. Designated as a “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality trail, the path is excellently signposted throughout and leads steadily uphill toward Langenberg and Winterberg, above the village, to the historic execution site. After a planned rest stop, hikers tackle the further ascent to Langenberg, the highest peak in North Rhine-Westphalia. A striking rest stop with a summit cross on Langenberg offers a charming spot to take a break. The route then continues through the characteristic high heathland and finally ends at the Hochheidehütte, above Niedersfeld. From there, the clearly marked trails provide an easy descent to the center of Niedersfeld, where reliable public transportation connections are available. This stage is characterized by its varied topography and the impressive natural landscape of the Hochsauerland district.

Ascent

458 m

Descent

382 m

Highest point

848 m