- Refreshment stop
- Circular route
The Juniper Trail is one of 14 Rothaarsteig trails. In addition to an educational tree trail, it also offers a variety of rare animal and plant species as well as a magnificent view from the Kornberg.
Dillenburg-Donsbach
Dillenburg-Donsbach
Further information about the Rothaarsteig can be found at www.rothaarsteig.de or by calling the free service hotline on +49 2974 / 499 4163, where we will be happy to advise you personally on your tour planning.
Refreshment stops:
The starting point is the hiking portal at the parking lot of the Donsbach village community center. From there, the Rothaarsteig trail "Wacholderweg" leads to the tree nature trail in "Reistenbachtal". The trail continues through the "Alter Berg" and "Sauernberg" nature reserves and then with a short ascent to the 454-metre-high "Kornberg". This is the crowning glory of the Juniper Trail. With its "Taunusblick", it offers magnificent views to the south, in clear weather as far as the "Großer Feldberg" in the Taunus. The trail leads through the "Marbachtal" to the "Waat-Tret-Anlage" with barefoot path. Shortly afterwards, you will reach the CO² nature trail at the "Haigerer Tor". Passing the Donsbach wildlife park with its 13 "large" animal species and the petting zoo, the trail returns to the parking lot at the village community center.
The trail offers two other shorter variants:
The western loop leads via the Sauernberg and the Stangenwaage, while a shortcut can be taken from the Kornberg via the Rothaarsteig towards Haigerer Tor. This variant measures 12 kilometers and 220 meters in altitude.
The eastern loop leads along the Rothaarsteig towards Kornberg, then back along the Wacholderweg via Meerbornsheide and the Co²-Pfad back to the village community center. This variant is 9.2 kilometers long and has an elevation gain of 250 meters.
Donsbach - Sauernberg - Roter Berg - Kornberg - Meerbornsheide - Waat pedal facility - CO2 nature trail - Donsbach
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
A suitable hiking rucksack will make your tour on the Rothaarsteig twice as much fun! Hiking rucksacks have a ventilated carrying system that makes them 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.
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 unpleasant wind. Gaiters that protect your trouser legs from dirt and moisture are also practical. At our partner outdoor outfitter Tatonka, you will find high-quality, breathable rain jackets with minimal pack size, lightweight rain capes and gaiters for your 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 make sure you can enjoy your hiking tour on the Rothaarsteig to the full, a first aid kit should be in your rucksack. After all, nothing is more annoying than not being able to immediately treat a blister on your foot or minor injuries. The first aid kits from Tatonka 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 behavior 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.
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:
When it is (too) late:
The forest will thank you!
The Waat pedal facility with barefoot path
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.
In our brochure "Rothaarsteig Trails - All circular hiking trails at a glance" you will find map sections, brief explanations and a map of the Breitscheid cave tour for all 14 circular hiking trails. You can order the booklet conveniently and free of charge at www.rothaarsteig.de/prospekte or view it online as a PDF or flip catalog.
We also recommend the hiking pass for the Rothaarsteig trails. If you have hiked 8 of the 14 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 www.rothaarsteig.de/prospekte or download it directly online.
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 refuges, parking lots, bus stops and much more at www.rothaarsteig.de/wanderkarte for 11.00 euros free of charge.
From Dillenburg, bus route 101 runs from Monday to Saturday to the "Donsbach Ort" stop.
Dillenburg can be reached by the long-distance Deutsche Bahn service.
You can find more information at www.bahn.de.
Free parking lot at the village community center Dillenburg-Donsbach (Rudolf-Braas-Straße 1, Dillenburg).