Press release from 16.01.2023

Rothaarsteig / Service / Press / Press release from 16.01.2023





Rothaarsteig-Wegezeichen am Baum mit zwei Wandernden im Hintergrund

The hiking quality on the Rothaarsteig and its trails remains high

Certification at the CMT travel trade fair in Stuttgart / Great commitment from volunteer trail patrons

Rothaarsteig. A special moment at the CMT travel trade fair in Stuttgart: Harald Knoche, head of the Rothaarsteig Association's office, was delighted last Monday that the Rothaarsteig and five of its trails were certified as Wanderbares Deutschland quality trails by the German Hiking Association (DWV). With the Zinser Grenzpfad, a new circular hiking trail has even been certified. The Rothaarsteig and the four trails Kahler Asten-Steig, Sorpe Panoramapfad, Wisentpfad and Trödelsteinpfad were certified once again. Together with volunteer trail patrons, Harald Knoche accepted the certificates in Stuttgart.

The Rothaarsteigverein is delighted, because just because a trail has already been certified does not mean that it is easy to receive the award again. On the contrary: as with a new certification, it involves a great deal of effort and is subject to many conditions. Numerous criteria must be met in order to receive the award. The route, adventure character, markings and signposting of the Rothaarsteig and the trails are put through their paces every three years by the German Hiking Association.

Checks and repairs twice a year
The Rothaarsteig Association is grateful for the enormous commitment of the volunteers. "Special thanks go to the volunteer trail markers, whose commitment ensures that the hiking trails are so wonderfully marked. It is almost impossible to get lost," emphasizes Harald Knoche. The volunteers are out and about at least twice a year, in spring and fall, checking and repairing their Rothaarsteig sections.

Bark beetle damage and theft on the hiking trails cause concern
Until the very end, it was unclear whether the Rothaarsteig and all the trails would pass certification, as the effects of the bark beetle infestation are still clearly noticeable. The situation in the forests along the Rothaarsteig remains tense, which has an impact on the condition of the trails and the markings. But it's not just the bark beetle that is affecting the markings, some hikers also like the markings and like to take them with them as souvenirs. "This is very annoying, especially because the markings are put up by volunteers," says Harald Knoche disappointedly, pointing out that the Rothaarsteig signs can also be ordered as souvenirs from the Rothaarsteig Association's online store at www.rothaarsteig.de/shop.

Regular inspections are important
Hand in hand and with a great deal of passion, work is carried out on the Rothaarsteig to ensure that hiking in nature continues to provide enjoyment for a long time to come and, above all, offers a soothing break from stressful everyday life. Katharina Schwake-Drucks, responsible for marketing at the Rothaarsteig Association, is also happy that the certification was awarded at the travel trade fair as an important instrument for quality control. "In order to remain at the top of Germany's best long-distance hiking trails, it is important to have the trail critically reviewed every three years," says
critically reviewed every three years," she says.

Natural, narrow paths and cultural highlights
The 14 Rothaarsteig trails are particularly beautiful circular hiking trails that have been awarded quality trail status and can be found along the entire Rothaarsteig. Natural, narrow paths and cultural highlights make the trails an extraordinary hiking experience. They are between 7 and 23 kilometers long and are particularly suitable for day trips and for people who simply want to try out hiking and the Rothaarsteig.

An overview of the trails certified at the travel fair:
The Zinser Grenzpfad Rothaarsteig trail was newly certified. Starting in the picturesque little village of Zinse, the 14-kilometre circular tour runs alongside the winding Zinsebach stream, along the Rösper Weiher pond and past the enchanted ponds of the Schwarzbachtal valley. Rare animal and plant species such as the kingfisher and the greylag goose can be observed here. The route continues along the border with Heinsberg up to the Hermeskopf (611 m). Through idyllic Buchenwald forests and along narrow paths, hikers will come across many boundary stones reminiscent of the old border between Wittgenstein and the Sauerland region. With a detour via the Dreiherrnstein (673 m) and the main Rothaarsteig trail, the route leads through the secluded Zinsebach valley back to Zinse. Werner Körnert from SGV Zinse looks after the Zinse border trail on a voluntary basis.

The Kahler Asten trail leads high up. At 841 meters, the Kahler Asten may not be the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia, but it is probably the most famous. The extensive heathland on its summit plateau offers a wonderful hiking experience and one thing above all: a 360-degree panoramic view as far as the eye can see. A special experience in winter with bright sunshine and mist-filled valleys. The Kahler Asten trail is supervised by Alexander Rickert from SGV Westfeld.

The Sorpe Panorama Trail lives up to its name. Running around the village of Niedersorpe, the trail is characterized by wide views, which are explained with the help of panorama boards. A real highlight is the crossing of the former "Knollen" quarry on narrow paths. Two art forges and several lovingly designed rest stops make the hiking experience perfect. Ferdi Pape from SGV Niedersorpe is the trail sponsor for the Sorpe Panorama Trail.

The bison trail on the Rothaarsteig offers both: a wonderful hiking experience along winding paths, but also the opportunity to experience part of the bison herd up close in a show enclosure in the bison wilderness located directly on the trail. Encountering these majestic animals is a very special experience. The trail sponsor for the bison trail is Jörg Sonneborn from the Aue-Wingeshausen village association.

The Trödelsteinpfad runs from the tranquil Buchheller valley up to the "Trödelsteine". As a former volcanic vent, this natural monument is the remnant of the landscape's vibrant past in volcanically active times. Along the way, hikers can expect a wide variety of landscapes and numerous traces of the Siegerland mining tradition from historic iron ore mining. The combination of adventurous trails, idyllic meadow landscapes, magnificent views and the babbling water is particularly beautiful. Gerhard Gläser from the Burbach local history association is responsible for the Trödelstein Trail.

Info box on the Rothaarsteig: