Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Willingen

The Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Willingen offers an exquisite hiking experience through the picturesque landscapes of the Sauerland. The starting point, located on the historic market square in front of the town hall of the Hanseatic town of Brilon, leads straight into the "Am Drübel" nature reserve. The route presents itself as a Wanderbares Deutschland quality trail and reveals striking natural phenomena. These include the Möhnequelle on the Poppenberg and the Brilon Bürgerwald with the Kyrilltor, a testimony to the forest regeneration after storm Kyrill. The ascent to the Borberg and over the Ginsterköpfe rewards you with far-reaching panoramic views over the Ruhrtal and the Brilon plateau. A highlight is the passage to the Bruchhauser Steine on the Istenberg, a unique national natural monument in NRW. Estate cafés invite you to stop for refreshments along the way, and flexible accommodation options along the route support individual stage planning. An optional detour to the Skywalk Willingen, Germany's longest suspension rope bridge, can round off the mountain experience. The entire trail is signposted throughout, allows hikes with dogs and has excellent public transport connections, ensuring convenient access.

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 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 villages and settlements and everyone who hikes has 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 move 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! Please note the following information:

• Observe the legal smoking ban 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!

• Brilon town of the forest
• Brilon Bürgerwald with Kyrill-Tor
• View from the Ginsterkopfs
• Fire oak
• Bruchhauser Steine National Natural Monument - Access is via the Bruchhauser Steine information center, where an entrance fee is payable. Further information: https://www.stiftung-bruchhauser-steine.de/
• Bruchhausen Castle
• Skywalk Willingen - The longest suspension bridge in Germany

Refreshment stops:

• Hiebammen Hütte Brilon
• Gutscafé Rosenbogen Heidrich with Sauerland flower garden
• Refreshment stop - The ski and toboggan hut
• K1 hut
• Itterbach estate

Restaurants

• BUITERLING Hotel Brilon
• Hotel Rech Brilon
• Hotel Haus Hellhohl Brilon
• DAS Loft Hotel Hölsterloh Brilon
• Waldhotel Schinkenwirt Olsberg
• Waldbahnhof Sauerland Brilon-Wald
• Schlosshotel Brilon-Wald
• Gutscafé Rosenbogen Heidrich Bruchhausen
• Hotel "Waldhaus am See" Willingen
• Sporthotel "Zum Hoher Eimberg" Willingen
• Hotel-Garni "Zur Alten Post" Willingen
• DAS Loft Hotel Willingen
• Landkomfort Hotel Elsenmann Willingen
• Naturhotel Hochheide Willingen
• Waldhotel Willingen
• NaturBoutique Hotel RAUSZEIT
• Sauerland Stern Hotel
• Gutshof & Residence Itterbach

Trekking places

• Trekking place Himmelsnah
• Trekking Park Willingen

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 companion for every tour is our brochure "Rothaarsteig Wegweiser" (Rothaarsteig Trail Guide) with the hosts along the trail and other useful information.

You can order the original Rothaarsteig hiking map on a scale of 1:50000 on waterproof paper, with up-to-date route guidance and useful markings, such as shelters, parking lots, bus stops and much more at www.rothaarsteig.de/wanderkarte for 11.00 euros free shipping to your home.

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 travel directly to the "Brilon - Markt" stop.

The RB42 train line or the 382 bus runs between Brilon Stadt and Willingen (Upland) station. For timetable information, visit

www.bahn.de. If you only want to hike one day's stage, 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 follow 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).

In Willingen you can park your car for free at the Tourist Information (Am Hagen 10, 34508 Willingen (Upland)).