Rothaarsteig in 12 stages: 1st stage from Brilon to Bruchhausen

Rothaarsteig / Open Data Hub Touren / Rothaarsteig in 12 stages: 1st stage from Brilon to Bruchhausen
The Rothaarsteig takes you over 18 kilometers from Brilon to Bruchhausen. You start on the historic market square of the Hanseatic town of Brilon and hike past the imposing Kyrilltor gate, over the historic "Borbergs Kirchhof" and the Ginsterkopfs with their panoramic views to Bruchhausen.




Hiebammen Hütte bei Brilon am Rothaarsteig




Basaltsäule mit Rothaarsteig-Logo vor dem Rathaus Brilon




Historisches Rathaus Brilon als Start- und Zielpunkt des Rothaarsteig




Drohnenaufnahme von Borbergs Kirchhof bei Brilon am Rothaarsteig




Kapelle bei Borbergs Kirchhof am Rothaarsteig




Kyrilltor am Rothaarsteig bei Brilon am Rothaarsteig von oben

Tour starting point:

Brilon market square

Tour destination point:

Olsberg-Bruchhausen

Properties:

  • Summit
  • Nature highlight
  • Culturally interesting
  • Refreshment stop
  • Accommodation option
  • Signage
  • Tour with dog
  • Quality Trail Wanderbares Deutschland
  • Good public transport connections
  • free of charge / accessible at any time

Additional Information




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Category

regionaler Wanderweg

Length

17.4 km

Duration

4:54 h

Elevation ascent

379 m

Elevation descent

385 m

Lowest point

427 m

Highest point

657 m

Condition

Difficulty

Recommended seasons

J F M A M J J A S O N D

The old Hanseatic town of Brilon is located in the north-east of the Sauerland. The proud center of the old Hanseatic town of Brilon is the market square with the Petersbrunnen fountain and the historic town hall. This is the starting point of the Rothaarsteig.

The trail leads through Brilon town center, past the district hall and into the nature reserve "Am Drübel" close to the town. With the Möhnequelle spring on the eastern slope of the Poppenberg (605m), the Rothaarsteig heads for the first of many well-known springs in the Rothaargebirge. After the storm Kyrill, over 20 different deciduous tree species were planted on Brilon's Poppenberg in a colorful mixture and on private initiative. This is how the Brilon Bürgerwald was created. If you're already thirsty, you can take a break at the Hiebammen Hütte.

Passing Gudenhagen and Petersborn, the Rothaarsteig sets course for the Borberg (670 m), the highest point of the Brilon plateau with a wonderful view of the Ruhrtal near Olsberg. The Rothaarsteig then bends to the east and runs past Schusterknapp (616 m) over the Ginsterköpfe (661 m), which offer a magnificent view over the Brilon plateau, the Upper Ruhrtal and across to the Bruchhauser Steine.

After the fire oak, a tree that has been turned into a work of art, which illustrates the importance of wood as a source of energy under the theme "Warmth grows in the forest", the trail continues past the Bruchhauser Steine Foundation information center. If you would like to climb the stones, the first of two National Natural Monuments in NRW, you can do so from here for a small entrance fee. Further information: https: //www.stiftung-bruchhauser-steine.de/

The Rothaarsteig leads you below the Bruchhauser Steine to the small village of Bruchhausen. At the end, it is worth stopping off at the Sauerland flower garden with its own café.


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Information

Directions

Brilon market square - Möhnequelle - Poppenberg - Gudenhagen-Petersborn - Borberg - Schusterknapp - Ginsterköpfe - Feuereiche - Bruchhauser Steine - Bruchhausen

Equipment

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 "well". In our small hiking store at www.rothaarsteig.de/shop you will also find a selection of Rothaarsteig items 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. Especially in summer, it is important to stay hydrated.
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.

Safty guidelines

Information about the rescue signs on the Rothaarsteig

Most hiking trails run away from towns and settlements and all hikers have 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?

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 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!

Author Tip

Historic Brilon market square with town hall and Petersbrunnen fountain
  • Bürgerwald with Kyrilltor near Petersborn
  • Borberg's churchyard
  • View from the Ginsterkopfs
  • Fire oak
  • Bruchhauser Steine

Refreshment stops:

Restaurants:

Trekking places:

Literture

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 guide for every tour is our "Rothaarsteig Wegweiser" brochure with accommodation providers along the trail and other useful information.

The Rothaarsteig recommends:
Hikelinehiking guide: Fernwanderweg Rothaarsteig - Von Brilon im Sauerland über den Kamm des Rothaargebirges nach Dillenburg
Conrad Stein Verlag: Wanderführer Rothaarsteig - Fernwanderweg. Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Dillenburg by Amrei Risse
RotherBergverlag: Rother hiking guide Rothaarsteig. With Sauerland-Höhenflug and Sauerland-Waldroute by Matthias Schopp

Maps

Original Rothaarsteig hiking map at a scale of 1:50,000
Alternative:Brilon/Olsberg hiking map

Public transiot

The best way to get to Brilon is by train. Get off at the "Brilon - Stadt" station. From here, it is about a 10-minute walk to the starting point of the Rothaarsteig, the market square in Brilon. If you come by bus, you can travel directly to the "Brilon - Markt" stop.

To get from Bruchhausen to Brilon or vice versa, take the R31 bus line, change once in Olsberg and continue to Brilon on the S30 line. Travel time approx. 35 minutes. You can find more information at www.bahn.de.

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.

Parking

If you come by car, you can park for free in the parking lot in "Krummen Straße" or at the Kreishaus (Am Rothaarsteig 1).

Free parking is available in Olsberg-Bruchhausen at the church and in the hiking parking lot on the outskirts of the village.