Rothaarsteig from Winterberg to Schanze

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

First aid kit
To ensure that you can enjoy your hiking tour on the Rothaarsteig without any restrictions, you should always carry a first aid kit in your rucksack. 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 guide to 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!

• St. Georg ski jump
• Kahler Asten
• Heath landscape on the Kahler Asten
• Lenne spring
• Barefoot path near Langewiese
• Hoheleye hut
• Kyrill-Pfad Schanze

Refreshment stops:

• Nordhang Jause
• Hoheleye hut
• Forest kiosk Schanze 1
• ALMHÜTTE Schanze with AlmBEACH

Restaurants:

• Hotel Nuhnetal
• Hotel Hessenhof
• Hotel Oversum Winterberg
• AVITAL Resort Winterberg
• Hapimag Resort Winterberg
• Hotel Forsthaus
• Pension Braun
• Hotel Sauerland Hof
• Hostel Erlebnisberg Kappe
• Astentower
• Romantic mountain hotel Astenkrone
• The beautiful Asten - Resort Winterberg
• Pension de Gasterei
• Hotel -Gasthof "Zur Post"
• DJH Youth Hostel Winterberg
• Country inn Gilsbach
• Country hotel Gasthof "Zur Post"
• Berghotel Hoher Knochen
• Country hotel Gasthof Schütte
• Country inn Schanze 1
• AlmBEACH FeWo Schanze 17
• Pension Schütte

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.

The tour is only connected to public transport to a limited extent, as Schanze is only served by a private hiking bus. For more information, see "How to get there".

If you are coming by car, we recommend that you use public transport at the start of your tour and leave your car at the end point. This way you don't have to follow the bus / train timetable on the hike.
Schanze is served by the Schmallenberg Sauerland hiking bus if required. You can find more information here. Take this bus from Schanze to Oberkirchen and then change to the S40 bus in the direction of Winterberg. Of course, you can also travel in the opposite direction. The exact travel times for the S40 line between Winterberg and Oberkirchen can be found at www.bahn.de.

In Winterberg you can park for free at the Oversum (Am Kurpark 4, Winterberg).
In Schmallenberg-Schanze there is a large parking lot for hikers that is available free of charge.