Rothaarsteig starts its anniversary year

The Rothaarsteig is celebrating its birthday and officially kicked off its anniversary year today under the motto "25 years of the Rothaarsteig - A hiking trail thinks ahead". And this was exactly where it all began for the popular long-distance hiking trail in 2001: at the ITB in Berlin, the world's largest tourism trade fair.

Numerous companions, partners and guests met at the NRW-Forum on the exhibition grounds to look back together, but above all to look ahead. An image film with impressions from 25 years of the Rothaarsteig and emotional landscape shots brought the development of the trail to life: from a vision to a nationally renowned quality hiking trail.

Inspiration from 25 years - and for the future

In a compact round of impulses, it once again became clear how much passion, commitment and innovative strength there is in the Rothaarsteig. While Dr. Jürgen Fischbach, Managing Director of Sauerland Tourism, presented the current "Smart Tourism Laboratory" funding project as an important building block for the future, Harald Knoche, Managing Director of the Rothaarsteigverein, Frank Rosenkranz, Head of the Upper Sauerland Regional Forestry Office, and Rüdiger Strenger, Chairman of the Rothaarsteigverein, looked back on the trail's eventful past as companions from the very beginning. Larina Lienenbecker, Managing Director of the Schlosshotel in Brilon-Wald, explained on behalf of the many Rothaarsteig quality businesses the special significance of the Rothaarsteig for the region's restaurants and accommodation providers.

Successful route with appeal

One thing became clear in all the contributions: even after 25 years, the Rothaarsteig is a real driving force for tourism in the region. As one of the "Top Trails of Germany", it enjoys nationwide recognition and international attention. It shapes the tourism profile of the Sauerland, Siegen-Wittgenstein and the Lahn-Dill district and has an impact far beyond. At the same time, the trail stands for continuous further development. Not least with projects such as the "Smart Tourism Lab", a project funded by the EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the stakeholders are working on further advancing digital solutions, intelligent visitor guidance and sustainable quality development.

Anniversary year with a number of highlights

Fans of the Rothaarsteig can also look forward to other highlights in the anniversary year, such as a large-scale social media campaign, special hiking formats, encounters with trail companions and many small and large birthday moments. The focus will always remain on what makes the Rothaarsteig so special: quality, experiencing nature and authentic hosts.

Download the press release as a PDF here.

Contact for the press:

Harald Knoche, Rothaarsteigverein e.V.
Im Ohl 12, 57392 Schmallenberg
Tel.: 02974-9692890, e-mail: info@rothaarsteig.de