How about booking a guided hike on one of Germany's most beautiful long-distance hiking trails when you buy your new hiking outfit? Since 2022, the Rothaarsteigverein has been making this possible as part of its cooperation with the SportScheck store in Dortmund. Once a year, customers of the Dortmund store have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive hiking day on the "Trail of the Senses". An offer that also met with a lively response in mid-August. More than 50 hikers laced up their hiking boots and enjoyed the magnificent colors of the blooming heath landscape on the Niedersfelder Hochheide together with the rangers and the team of the Rothaarsteigverein in the best hiking weather.
Just 90 minutes away by car or train, the Ruhrgebiet is an important source market for the Rothaarsteig. Anyone longing for an active break in the relaxing nature of the Rothaargebirge mountains will find an attractive offer almost on their own doorstep. "With this in mind, we meet people in the SportScheck store exactly where they are interested in outdoor activities and hiking. That's why the collaboration is a perfect fit for both partners in terms of content," says Katharina Schwake-Drucks, responsible for marketing at the Rothaarsteigverein, on the successful cooperation. Among other things, a large floor sticker with the Rothaarsteig overview map in the outdoor department of the store invites customers to try out their newly purchased items directly on the so-called "Path of the Senses". "The sticker can be seen directly from the escalator. Experience shows that many interested people stop to take a closer look at the oversized map and the information," says Katharina Schwake-Drucks.
A special part of the cooperation is the hiking day on the Rothaarsteig, which is offered exclusively once a year and includes a bus transfer to and from Dortmund, a snack at the start and a refreshment stop at the end. Tickets are only available at the SportScheck branch in Dortmund. In addition to the 50 customers, some employees of the cooperation partner also took the opportunity to accompany the hiking day. The hikers had the option of choosing a moderate or a more challenging tour. The participants were welcomed by our Rothaarsteig team and the rangers at B&B Isidorus in the Grönebach district of Winterberg," explains Katharina Schwake-Drucks. The more challenging 17-kilometre tour started at the Wagenschmier hiking parking lot near Küstelberg, while the more moderate 13-kilometre variant started in Hildfeld. The common destination was the Einkehrschwung ski and toboggan hut on the outskirts of Willingen. Highlights of both hikes were the blooming heath landscape with its unique play of colors on the Hochheide in Niedersfeld, the view from the Clemensberg and the summit storm on the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Langenberg.
The Rothaarsteig rangers also contributed to the success of the hiking day with their interesting explanations. Over the course of the day, they were also happy to answer the guests' many questions about the Rothaarsteig and the flora and fauna, so that all hikers finally arrived exhausted but happy and satisfied at the "Einkehrschwung" and fortified themselves with delicious hut delicacies at the end. The organizers from the Rothaarsteig Association and the SportScheck branch were very positive about the event. "We are very satisfied with the hiking day, during which we were able to inspire new guests for the Rothaarsteig and the region," said Harald Knoche, branch manager of the Rothaarsteig Association, who was also pleased with the successful day.
Nothing stands in the way of a new edition next year, especially as some of the enthusiastic participants had already asked about next year's date shortly before leaving in the evening.
All information about the Rothaarsteig: www.rothaarsteig.de
Service number of the Rothaarsteig Association: 02974/4994163
E-mail: info@rothaarsteig.de