Brilon/Wilnsdorf/Rothaarsteig. The weather is getting better, the birds are chirping louder, and with it comes people's desire to spend as much time as possible in nature again. After the long winter, many hiking enthusiasts have now started the hiking season. A popular destination for around 1.7 million hikers every year is the Rothaarsteig, which has a lot to offer on its 154-kilometre route. To get the hiking season off to the best possible start, the Rothaarsteig Association met with the Rothaarsteig quality businesses and the tourist information offices along the route for two information events.
For the first time this year, the event took place at two locations. On the one hand, the participants came together at the Waldbahnhof Sauerland in Brilon-Wald and on the other at the Wilgersdorf guesthouse near Wilnsdorf. In order to make the journey as short as possible for the partners, one event was deliberately held in the north and one in the south of the route.
The model was well received and the response on both dates was correspondingly high. The Rothaarsteig team welcomed over 30 partners in Brilon-Wald and over 20 people attended the information meeting in Wilgersdorf.
Great response to the information events
The event was mainly aimed at the staff who look after the reception or counter at the tourist information office. "The response shows that the timing of the events was well chosen. We are delighted that there was so much interest and will offer the event again next year," reports Ilka Robke, responsible for cooperation with the quality businesses at the Rothaarsteig Association, on the good and important exchange between them.
Marking and signposting on the Rothaarsteig explained
The aim of the meetings was to bring the partners up to the same level of knowledge so that everyone is well prepared for the start of the season and can answer the questions of the hiking guests. Among other things, the Rothaarsteig Association provided basic information about the signposting along the trail "Not everyone knows that the yellow signs mark the Rothaarsteig access routes, the black signs mark the Rothaarsteig trails as circular routes and the red signs mark the main trail," emphasizes Harald Knoche, office manager of the Rothaarsteig Association.
Exchange of experiences as added value of the event
The event also covered specific route planning, for example how hikers can easily calculate the distance of a route using the overview map. Frequently asked questions and planning a hike by bus and train were also discussed. The Rothaarsteig team also presented current marketing measures to its partners. "In addition to the information, the exchange of experiences was a real added value of the event for everyone involved," reports Ilka Robke, who was delighted with the positive feedback from the participants without exception. "It was a good exchange between hiking enthusiasts," praised Celine Niggemann from the Winterberg Tourist Information Office.