Bison trail - Rothaarsteig trail - Animal hiking fun

The Rothaarsteig leads along numerous natural paths away from agricultural and forestry roads. Weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes are therefore a must for every hike. We want you to experience the "Path of the Senses" not only "dry" but also with "good" feet.

In our small hiking store at https://www.rothaarsteig.de/de/Shop you will also find a selection of Rothaarsteig articles to prepare for your tour or as a souvenir. We are also happy to recommend the durable and high-quality outdoor equipment from our long-standing partner, the German outdoor outfitter Tatonka.

Hiking rucksack

With a suitable hiking rucksack, your tour on the Rothaarsteig is twice as much fun! Thanks to their ventilated carrying system, hiking rucksacks are very comfortable to wear, as this ensures that sweat can evaporate immediately. They can be fastened with a waist or hip belt and thus sit firmly on your back with every movement. They are also equipped with a practical holder for hiking poles and often have a compartment with a tube outlet for a hydration bladder, so that hydration is ensured at all times.

Here you will find hiking rucksacks from outdoor outfitter Tatonka in various sizes for day hikes and multi-day trips. Sizes for day hikes and multi-day tours and with different ventilated back systems.

Rainwear

If changeable weather is forecast for your tour on the Rothaarsteig, remember to pack a light rain jacket or rain poncho. They take up virtually no space in your rucksack and also keep out the unpleasant wind. Also practical are gaitersthat protect your trouser legs from dirt and moisture.

At our partner, the German outdoor outfitter Tatonka, you will find high-quality, breathable rain jackets with minimal pack size, lightweight rain capes and gaiters for trouser legs to protect them from dirt and moisture.

Here you can find Tatonka rain jackets for women

You can find Tatonka rain jackets for men here

First aid kit

To ensure that you can enjoy your hiking tour on the Rothaarsteig without restrictions, a first aid kit should be in your rucksack for safety's sake. After all, nothing is more annoying than not being able to treat a blister on your foot or minor injuries immediately.

The first aid kits from the German outdoor equipment manufacturer Tatonka are filled with all the important materials for first aid treatment of injuries and also contain an "outdoor cheat sheet" with a concise and clear guideline for the correct behavior in emergencies in the great outdoors. You can find Tatonka's first aid kits here!

Food and drink

On some stages, especially between Lahnhof and Dillenburg, there are unfortunately no refreshment stops along the way. Remember to pack food and drink, especially here. Sufficient drinks are especially important in summer.

The stainless steel bottles, stainless steel insulated jugs and stainless steel lunch boxes from the German outdoor equipment manufacturer Tatonka are not only practical, but also unbreakable and durable.

Information about the rescue signs on the Rothaarsteig

Most hiking trails run away from towns and settlements and every hiker has thought about what would happen if an emergency were to occur. How can I be found here? Where am I anyway? Can the emergency services reach me?

In an emergency, things have to happen quickly! That's why the Rothaarsteig is equipped with so-called rescue signs throughout. The green and white plaques attached to the posts of the signposts have a number that you must give when making an emergency call. This way, the emergency services know exactly where you are and valuable time can be saved.

Bison and wild animals on the Rothaarsteig - tips on how to behave

The risks posed to normal hikers by bison are low and can be reduced to an absolute minimum by adopting appropriate and respectful behavior.

• Walk calmly and inconspicuously past the animals at a distance, do not frighten them and do not look them directly in the eye.


• If the animals approach you, remain calm, do not turn your back on them and leave the area without rushing, but always with a view of the animal. If the animals fall below a distance that makes you uncomfortable, call loudly, whistle or make yourself heard in another way.


• Watch out for threatening gestures! If sows "chatter their teeth" or bison lower their heads, they expect you to retreat. Move back!


• If you have a dog with you, keep it under control on a lead. If an animal attacks your dog, take it off the lead! The dog is faster and more agile than you and will definitely find you again!

Note on the increased risk of forest fires

Please bear in mind that there is currently an increased risk of forest fires due to the drought!

Therefore, please observe the following instructions:

• Observe the legal ban on smoking in the forest - it applies in spring, summer and fall, more precisely: from March 1 to October 31.


• Observe the ban on open fires in the forest and within 100 meters of the forest.


• Take glass out of the forest - the burning glass effect can cause forest fires.

When it is (too) late:

• Extinguish small incipient fires if you can do so safely. Check the area carefully if necessary.


• Report fires via "112".


• Leave the danger zone by the shortest route.

The forest will thank you!

A visit to the "bison wilderness on the Rothaarsteig" is worthwhile!

There are several restaurants along the trail where you can take a break.

To help you prepare for your hike, we will be happy to send you our free information pack. At rothaarsteig.de/prospekte you can easily choose which information you need. A good companion for every tour is our Rothaarsteig guide with the hosts along the trail and other useful information

In our brochure "Rothaarsteig Trails - All circular hiking trails at a glance" you will find map sections and brief explanations of all 13 circular hiking trails, including a map of the Breitscheid cave tour. The other 12 Rothaarsteig trails are also shown here with maps, brief explanations and the most beautiful resting places along the route. At rothaarsteig.de/prospekte you can order the booklet conveniently and free of charge to your home or view it online as a PDF or flip catalog.

We also recommend our Rothaarsteig Trail Hiking Pass. If you have hiked 8 of the 13 trails in total, you will receive a hiking certificate and a Rothaarsteig pin and take part in our annual prize draw. You can also order the hiking pass free of charge at rothaarsteig.de/prospekte or download it directly online.

The original Rothaarsteig hiking map on a scale of 1:50000 on waterproof paper, with up-to-date route guidance and useful markings such as shelters, parking lots, bus stops and much more, can be ordered free of charge at rothaarsteig.de/shop for 11.00 euros.

It takes 20 minutes by train from Bad Berleburg station to Aue-Wingeshausen. From there, it is around 800 m on foot to the Westertal parking lot, where the tour starts

Take the L196 bus from the train station to the Kappler Mühle stop in Wingeshausen. From there it is only a 200 m walk to the Westertal parking lot.

https://www.zws-online.de/fileadmin/contents/2_fahrplaene_liniennetz/2_1_fahrplaene/2_1_3_fahrplantabellen/2_1_3_1_schienenstrecken/443.pdf

https://www.vws-siegen.de/pdf/L196.pdf

We recommend that you use public transport at the start of your tour and park a car at the end point. This way you don't have to follow the bus/train timetable on your hike.

Coming from Bad Berleburg and Erndtebrück via the L553 to the center of Aue, then via the K42 towards Wingeshausen/Jagdhaus, coming from Schmallenberg on the K42 to the end of Wingeshausen; Alternatively: Wisent-Wildnis parking lot, Weidiger Weg

By car: An der Bracht 50, 57319 Bad Berleburg; Weidiger Weg 100, 57319 Bad Berleburg

Hikers' parking lot Jagdhaus (at the end of Jagdhaus) , 57392 Schmallenberg-Jagdhaus

Westertal parking lot at the sports field, Casimirstaler Weg 1 in 57319 Bad Berleburg-Wingeshausen.

Parking at Sonnenhofer, An der Bracht 50, 57319 Bad Berleburg Sufficient free parking spaces available

Parking at the Wisent-Wildnis/Wisent-Hütte - Weidinger Weg 100, 57319 Bad Berleburg - sufficient free parking spaces available