Sustainability on the Rothaarsteig

The Rothaarsteig runs from Brilon to Dillenburg through the Sauerland, Siegen-Wittgenstein and Lahn-Dill-Bergland regions.

Sauerland and Siegen-Wittgenstein have been certified as sustainable destinations by the renowned certification company TourCert. They have achieved this success together with numerous sustainable partner businesses that have joined together to form a network and want to make sustainability a tangible experience for guests on site.These include tourist information offices, accommodation providers, restaurants and excursion destinations. This network is constantly growing.

The Rothaarsteig Association's project office and several quality businesses along the trail are also among the qualified businesses that want to continuously improve their sustainable orientation. More will be added.

One funding project is concerned with the sustainable and climate-resilient further development of the Rothaarsteig. Sustainability in its many facets along the trail is to be made tangible for people. Ideas are currently being tested and concrete measures developed for the following fields of action:

• Offers that combine emotional experiences with education and vividly convey topics such as biodiversity and climate change - so that the Rothaarsteig lives up to its responsibility for nature, climate and people.

• Adapted infrastructure and equipment along the trail that can cope with the consequences of climate change - so that the Rothaarsteig remains unique, relevant and inspiring in the future.

• Points and offers for active recreation and exercise among friends - so that the Rothaarsteig becomes a retreat that effectively combines exercise, recreation and health all year round.

• Actions and opportunities for the Rothaarsteig to attract people - guests and locals alike - as enthusiastic participants or even fans - so that it becomes a place of longing, a place of encounter, participation and enthusiasm.

The project is funded by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the ERDF NRW program and implemented by the two associations Sauerland-Tourismus e.V. and Touristikverband Siegen-Wittgenstein e.V. in cooperation with the Rothaarsteigverein e.V.. It is supported by the Institute for Outdoor Sport and Environmental Research at the German Sport University Cologne.