Participants in the second InstaWalk didn't have to search long for the perfect Instagram spots, as the Rothaarsteig offers countless places with magnificent views or spectacular insights. Word got around after the premiere in 2019 that the joint initiative of the Rothaarsteigverein and Sauerland Tourism is a special event. Interest in taking part was even greater this year, resulting in numerous applications in advance.
InstaWalk - what does it actually mean? The term is made up of the words Instagram and the English word for walk. "In relation to the Rothaarsteig, it was an organized hike," explains Katharina Schwake-Drucks, responsible for marketing at the Rothaarsteig Association. The aim of the tour was to take expressive pictures that would later be published on Instagram or other social media platforms.
The evening hike took the group of 13 on part of the Rothaarsteig trail "Kahler Asten-Steig", which is one of the most popular circular hiking trails on the Rothaarsteig. The starting point was the Hoher Knochen hiking parking lot near Schmallenberg-Westfeld. A hike also requires good equipment, and Rothaarsteig partner Tatonka provided this with rucksacks and drinking bottles for all participants.
Always on the lookout for the best motif, we headed uphill from Hoher Knochen towards Kahler Asten. The first photo stop was at the "hunting lodges" after a few scenic passages. Photographers' hearts immediately beat faster there, because on the one hand the huts are located in idyllic surroundings, and on the other hand small details such as the red shutters provide that certain something that can be well staged with the camera. The Lenne and the fish ponds located there also provided the group with good photo opportunities. One of the two highlights was the plateau of the Kahler Asten, as the soft evening light showed the second highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia with the Hochheide and the distant view from its best and perhaps also a little romantic side.
A breathtaking sunset above the Hoher Knochen was the crowning glory of a fantastic photo hike. The euphoria of the participants was palpable. They pressed the shutter release hundreds of times for the perfect picture. "Beautiful nature, a bit of exercise, nice people and lots of pictures," is how participant Lara König described the event in her Insta story.
Katharina Schwake-Drucks and Rouven Soyka, press spokesperson at Sauerland Tourism, jointly organized the InstaWalk. "Apart from the organizational effort, the InstaWalk was a cost-effective marketing measure for us, with which we were able to achieve great image material and a wide reach," says Rouven Soyka happily. "We were also able to get new people excited about the Sauerland and the Rothaarsteig with the campaign, as the majority of participants were previously unfamiliar with the region," says Katharina Schwake-Drucks, who is also enthusiastic about the campaign.
Because the InstaWalk was so successful, a repeat is already planned for the fall. If you would like to know more about it and get to know the Rothaarsteig as an impressive long-distance hiking trail, you should follow the Rothaarsteig (rothaarsteig.de) on Instagram.
All information about the Rothaarsteig: www.rothaarsteig.de
Service number of the Rothaarsteig Association: 02974/4994163
E-mail: info@rothaarsteig.de