Rothaarsteig from Schanze to the Rhein-Weser-Turm (valley variant)

Your hike starts in the small village of Schanze. Following the valley variant of the Rothaarsteig, you first descend leisurely into the gorge-like Grubental valley. The red Rothaarsteig markings show you the way along the entire route. Passing the "Altarstein" and the "Dicken Eiche", you reach the picturesque village of Latrop. There are various places to stop for refreshments here, so you can already take a break. From Latrop, the route continues uphill to the Millionenbank. This is where the ridge and valley variants of the Rothaarsteig meet again.

Continue along the Rothaarsteig via the Heidkopf (666m) to Jagdhaus. From there, you can take the bison trail, one of the 14 circular trails on the Rothaarsteig, to the Wisent-Welt nature experience center. Here you have the opportunity to observe a herd of bison up close in a 20-hectare show enclosure.

Passing the Margaretenstein, a historic boundary stone, the Rothaarsteig then reaches the Rhein-Weser-Turm. The tower on the Rhine-Weser watershed offers an excellent panoramic view.

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 www.rothaarsteig.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 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.
First aid kit
To ensure you can enjoy your hiking tour on the Rothaarsteig to the full, a first aid kit should be in your rucksack for safety's sake. After all, nothing is more annoying than not being able to immediately treat a blister on your foot or minor injuries properly. Tatonka's first aid kits are filled with all the important materials for the initial treatment of injuries and also contain an "outdoor cheat sheet" with a concise and clear guideline for the correct behaviour in case of 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. The stainless steel bottles, stainless steel insulated jugs and stainless steel lunch boxes from Tatonka are not only practical, but also unbreakable and durable.

Information about the rescue signs on the Rothaarsteig
Most hiking trails run away from villages and settlements and everyone who hikes has certainly 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?
But 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.

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 dry weather! Please note the following information:

• 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!

• Kyrill-Pfad ski jump
• Latrop
• Latrop treading pool
• Landscape frame and Rothaarsteig hammock near Jagdhaus
• View from the Grenzweg near Jagdhaus
• Rhein-Weser-Turm tower

Refreshment stops:

• ALMHÜTTE Schanze with AlmBEACH
• Forest kiosk Schanze 1
• Wisent hut
• Restaurant Zur Hahnenquelle

Rothaarsteig quality establishments:

• Landschaftsgasthaus Schanze 1
• AlmBEACH FeWo Schanze 17
• Old schoolhouse
• Hotel Hanses-Bräutigam
• Hotel-Gasthof Hubertushöhe
• Pension Latröpchen
• Country Hotel Gasthof Hubertus
• Hotel Jagdhaus Wiese
• Schäferhof
• Country Hotel Voss
• Inn Zu den Linden
• Country house Lenneper-Führt
• "The Rhein-Weser-Turm"
• Zur Hahnenquelle
• Farmhouse-Pension Bertram

To help you prepare for your hike, we will be happy to send you our free information pack. At www.rothaarst eig.de/prospekte you can easily select the information you need. A good companion for every tour is our brochure "Rothaarsteig Wegweiser" (Rothaarsteig Trail Guide) with the hosts along the trail and other useful information.

You can order 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 at www.rothaarsteig.de/wanderkarte for 11.00 euros free shipping to your home.

Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible by public transport.
Schanze is served by the Schmallenberg Sauerland hiking bus three times a day from Tuesdays to Sundays. This will take you to Schmallenberg, for example, where you can change back to public transport.
Unfortunately, this service is not available at the Rhein-Weser-Turm. You can only call a cab there, which will then take you to Saalhausen, for example, where you can change back to public transport.

There are free parking spaces for hikers in Schanze and at the Rhein-Weser-Turm.