Rothaarsteig. The TourNatur trade fair used to be completely independent, but this year it has been integrated into the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. When the organizers open their doors at the exhibition grounds from 28 August to 5 September, the Rothaarsteig will also be present. The 154-kilometer long-distance hiking trail will be presented together with the Top Trails of Germany in Hall 3 at Stand C 16.
Hiking and camping are currently more popular than ever and can be wonderfully combined. Many people feel a sense of freedom when camping and hiking, they are inspired by the beauty of nature and recharge their batteries. There are now also a number of options for arriving by camper on the Rothaarsteig. More and more hotels and inns are also offering camper pitches. The advantage: you can lace up your hiking boots and set off on the Rothaarsteig or its circular hiking trails, the so-called Rothaarsteig Trails. "Our circular hiking trails are particularly suitable for outdoor enthusiasts with campers or motorhomes," reveals Katharina Schwake-Drucks, responsible for marketing and public relations at the Rothaarsteig Association. With uniform markings, the 13 circular hiking trails on the Rothaarsteig or the Rothaarsteig access trails lead directly into the multifaceted nature.
Three other Rothaarsteig trails are real "dream tours"
The Rothaarsteig Association is proud that three of the Rothaarsteig trails have once again been awarded or certified by the German Hiking Association as Quality Trails Wanderbares Deutschland in the "Dream Tours" category as part of the Caravan Salon. "The dream tours are considered to be particularly beautiful, scenic hiking trails that are especially suitable for half-day and full-day tours," says Katharina Schwake-Drucks and hopes that many campers will take the opportunity on the trade fair days and visit the stand of the Rothaarsteig Association and the Top Trails of Garmany to get first-hand information about their possible next travel destination.
The three newly certified trails are the Ilsetalpfad near Bad Laasphe-Feudingen, the Dill-Bergtour near Haiger and the Wacholderweg near Dillenburg.
Ilse Valley Trail:
Accompanied by the Lahn, Ilse and Weidenbach rivers, the 16.5-kilometre Ilse Valley Trail leads through open landscapes with small slate cliffs and wonderful views of the villages of Bad Laasphe. You cross open landscapes with natural wild growth and deep forests on the 645 meters of elevation gain. The trail through the enchanted Ilse Valley with its mystical rock faces is adventurous, while the Weidelbacher Weiher pond with its water lilies is romantic in the warmer months. The path over the Bettelmannsbuche beech, where pilgrims and charcoal carters used to camp on their way to the coal and iron road, is historic. The views from the Lahnhelle on the way to Volkholz can be described as majestic. The Glashütte caravan site is located in the immediate vicinity of the Ilse Valley Trail and close to the 5-star Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte. (Glashütter Straße 20, 57334 Bad Laasphe-Volkholz, book directly with the hotel on 02754/3990 or info@jagdhof-glashuette.de). Tip: After the hike, you can enjoy a good meal in one of the hotel's restaurants!
Dill mountain tour:
Idyllic Dill valley and Rothaar ridge with stunning views: hiking enthusiasts can combine the two on the 15.8-kilometre Dill mountain tour. On the way to the Rothaar ridge, hikers cross the historic Hauberg Offdilln on narrow paths, which provides exciting insights into this ancient form of forest management. The rangers of the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW offer guided tours on request. The picturesque spring of the Bocksborn invites you to take a break. Once you reach the Rothaarsteig, the view of the Lahn-Dill-Bergland and Siegerland is magnificent. The evening atmosphere on the "nose in the wind" viewing platform on Tiefenrother Höhe is particularly recommended. The Luca oak near the Steinbach forester's lodge watches over hikers. It has been stretching 27.5 meters into the sky for around 220 years, supported by a 385-centimeter trunk. Campers can find a suitable pitch nearby at Gästehaus Wilgersdorf (Kalkhain 23, 57234 Wilnsdorf, reservation via the hotel on 02739/89690 info@gästehaus-wilgersdorf.de). After the hike, you can end the day with a meal at Gästehaus Wilgersdorf.
Juniper trail:
Not only the eponymous juniper, but also numerous rare and strictly protected animal and plant species inhabit the "Alteberg", "Sauernberg" and "Wacholderheide" nature reserves on the 16-kilometre-long Juniper Trail near Dillenburg-Donsbach. Nature lovers will find the small tree nature trail in Reistenbachtal and the Hessen-Forst CO2 nature trail at Haigerer Tor particularly exciting, providing interesting visual and tactile insights into a very topical subject. The Waat pedal facility with a small barefoot path offers relaxation for tired feet along the way. The Sandorbbach stream provides spring water for cooling off. Those who like it "animalistic" can make a detour to the Donsbach wildlife park. The crowning glory of the Juniper Trail is quite literally the 454 m high Kornberg, which offers a magnificent view of the landscape with its "Taunusblick". The Meerbornsheide forest camp is located directly on the Wacholderweg Rothaarsteig trail (Meerbornsheide 1-2, 35683 Dillenburg, reservations on 02771/3305022 or e.cimpan@web.de). From there, you can also explore the Oranienstadt Dillenburg with its half-timbered Altstadt and Wilhelmsturm tower.