Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Bruchhausen

The Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Bruchhausen begins in the Hanseatic town of Brilon, the striking center of the north-eastern Sauerland, characterized by the historic market square, Petersbrunnen fountain and the town hall. The route crosses the town center and leads past the district hall into the nature reserve "Am Drübel". The Möhnequelle, one of the striking water sources of the Rothaargebirge, rises on the eastern slope of the Poppenberg, in the vicinity of which the Brilon Bürgerwald with a variety of deciduous tree species was created by private initiative after storm Kyrill. The first refreshment stops are available. The trail continues past Gudenhagen and Petersborn to the Borberg, the highest point of the Brilon plateau, which offers a comprehensive view of the Ruhrtal near Olsberg. Heading east, the trail passes the Schusterknapp and the Ginsterköpfe, from where there are far-reaching views over the Brilon plateau, the Upper Ruhrtal and the striking Bruchhauser Steine. A cultural element is the fire oak, a tree designed as a work of art that highlights the importance of wood as a source of energy. The route reaches the information center of the Bruchhauser Steine Foundation, a National Natural Monument of North Rhine-Westphalia, which invites you to climb the imposing rock formation. The Rothaarsteig ends below the Bruchhauser Steine in Bruchhausen, where additional refreshment stops round off the tour.

The Rothaarsteig leads along numerous natural paths away from agricultural and forestry roads. Weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes are therefore a must for every hike. We want you to experience the "Path of the Senses" not only "dry" but also "well". In our small hiking store at www.rothaarsteig.de/shop you will also find a selection of Rothaarsteig items to prepare for your tour or as a souvenir. We are also happy to recommend the durable and high-quality outdoor equipment from our long-standing partner, the outdoor outfitter Tatonka.

Hiking rucksack
With a suitable hiking rucksack, your tour on the Rothaarsteig is twice as much fun! Thanks to their ventilated carrying system, hiking rucksacks are very comfortable to wear, as this ensures that sweat can evaporate immediately. They can be fastened with a waist or hip belt and thus sit firmly on your back with every movement. They are also equipped with a practical holder for hiking poles and often have a compartment with a tube outlet for a hydration bladder, so that hydration is ensured at all times.
Here you can find hiking rucksacks from outdoor outfitter Tatonka in various sizes for day hikes and multi-day tours and with different ventilated back systems.

First aid kit
To ensure that you can enjoy your hiking tour on the Rothaarsteig without any restrictions, you should always carry a first aid kit in your rucksack. After all, nothing is more annoying than not being able to immediately treat a blister on your foot or minor injuries properly. Tatonka's first aid kits are filled with all the important materials for the initial treatment of injuries and also contain an "outdoor cheat sheet" with a concise and clear guide to the correct behaviour in case of emergencies in the great outdoors. You can find Tatonka's first aid kits here!

Food and drink
On some stages, especially between Lahnhof and Dillenburg, there are unfortunately no refreshment stops along the way. Remember to pack food and drink, especially here. Especially in summer, it is important to stay hydrated.
The stainless steel bottles, stainless steel insulated jugs and stainless steel lunch boxes from the German outdoor equipment manufacturer Tatonka are not only practical, but also unbreakable and durable.

Information about the rescue signs on the Rothaarsteig

Most hiking trails run away from towns and settlements and all hikers have certainly thought about what would happen if an emergency were to occur. How can I be found here? Where am I anyway? Can the emergency services reach me?

In an emergency, things have to happen quickly! That's why the Rothaarsteig is equipped with so-called rescue signs throughout. The green and white plaques attached to the posts of the signposts have a number that you must give when making an emergency call. This way, the emergency services know exactly where you are and valuable time can be saved.

Note on the increased risk of forest fires

Please bear in mind that there is currently an increased risk of forest fires due to the drought! Therefore, please observe the following instructions:

• Observe the legal ban on smoking in the forest - it applies in spring, summer and fall, more precisely: from March 1 to October 31.
• 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.

When it is (too) late:

• Extinguish small incipient fires if you can do so safely. Check the area carefully if necessary.
• Report fires via "112".
• Leave the danger zone by the shortest route.

The forest will thank you!

Historic Brilon market square with town hall and Petersbrunnen fountain

• Bürgerwald with Kyrilltor near Petersborn
• Borberg's churchyard
• View from the Ginsterkopfs
• Fire oak
• Bruchhauser Steine

Refreshment stops:

• Hiebammenhütte
• Gutscafé Rosenbogen Heidrich

Restaurants:

• BUITERLING Hotel
• Hotel Rech
• Hotel Haus Hellhohl
• DAS Loft Hotel Hölsterloh
• Waldhotel Schinkenwirt
• Waldbahnhof Sauerland
• Castle Hotel Brilon-Wald

Trekking places:

• Trekking site Himmelsnah
• Trekking site Feuereiche

To help you prepare for your hike, we will be happy to send you our free information pack. At www.rothaarst eig.de/prospekte you can easily select the information you need. A good guide for every tour is our "Rothaarsteig Wegweiser" brochure with accommodation providers along the trail and other useful information.

The Rothaarsteig recommends:
Hikelinehiking guide: Fernwanderweg Rothaarsteig - Von Brilon im Sauerland über den Kamm des Rothaargebirges nach Dillenburg
Conrad Stein Verlag: Wanderführer Rothaarsteig - Fernwanderweg. Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Dillenburg by Amrei Risse
RotherBergverlag: Rother hiking guide Rothaarsteig. With Sauerland-Höhenflug and Sauerland-Waldroute by Matthias Schopp

Original Rothaarsteig hiking map at a scale of 1:50,000

• Divided into two sheets (sheet north / sheet south)
  
• 10th edition - current route guidance
  
• With marked mountain huts, viewpoints, bus stops, parking spaces and much more.
  
• free shipping in the Rothaarsteig hiking store
  

Alternative:Brilon/Olsberg hiking map

The best way to get to Brilon is by train. Get off at the "Brilon - Stadt" station. From here, it is about a 10-minute walk to the starting point of the Rothaarsteig, the market square in Brilon. If you come by bus, you can take the bus directly to the "Brilon - Markt" stop.

This tour can also be done as a single day trip. To get from Bruchhausen to Brilon or vice versa, take the R31 bus (on weekends as an on-call bus by telephone) between Bruchhausen and the train station in Olsberg, change once in Olsberg and continue on the S30 line to Brilon. Travel time approx. 35 minutes. Of course, this also works in reverse. You can find more information at www.bahn.de.

We recommend that you use public transport at the start of your tour and park a car at the end point. This way you don't have to rely on the bus/train timetable on your hike.

If you come by car, you can park for free in the parking lot in "Krummen Straße" or at the Kreishaus (Am Rothaarsteig 1).

Free parking is available in Olsberg-Bruchhausen at the church and in the hiking parking lot on the outskirts of the village.