Rothaarsteig Trail: Hiking in Sauerland

This stage leads from Winterberg to Schanze across the wooded high ground of the Sauerland. The profile is mostly rolling, with a steady climb early on, a longer middle section over higher terrain and a gentle finish towards the end. It is a varied walking day with forest tracks, open ridge sections, viewpoints and small trail highlights along the Rothaarsteig. The terrain changes often enough to keep the route interesting without one single major climb dominating the stage.

From Winterberg, the route heads out past Kreuzberg Chapel and the viewpoint over the Siebentälerweg before reaching the forested slopes outside town. The trail continues towards the Renau Valley bridge trail and viewpoints around Astenkick, with the Swedish Hut nearby. Further on, you pass the Rothaarsteig Kahler Asten Stein and views from Hoher Knochen, then continue through quieter woodland past rest areas, Opfesteine in Höller Grab and Höhlever Hut.

The final section follows forest paths towards Schanze, passing the Grenzweg historic sign and the start of the Kyrill Trail near the end. You arrive in the village after a steady day through the Sauerland hills. If your accommodation is in Schmallenberg, you can continue on foot via alternative routes, usean on demand transfer service, or arrange a taxi.

A long stage from Schanze to Rhein-Weser-Turm awaits, covering 23.4 km through the wooded Sauerland hills. The profile begins with a gradual descent, then settles into a rolling middle section with repeated smaller climbs and dips. This valley route stays mostly on forest paths and quiet tracks, with several viewpoints and nature highlights along the way. Because the distance is the main challenge, keep a steady pace and use the flatter sections to recover.

From Schanze, the route starts near the Kyrill Trail and heads past Klobmanns Rücken before continuing through forest towards viewpoints over the Sauerland Forest. The trail then drops towards Latrop Village and follows the valley area, with views of the Latrop Valley and forest paths through Naturpark Sauerland. Further on, the route passes around Schneidersberg and continues past viewpoints from the Rothaarsteig, Sonborn Spring and views towards Kahlenberg and the Milchenbach Valley.

The final kilometres continue through quiet forest terrain towards Rhein-Weser-Turm. After a long day on rolling paths, the finish gives you a clear place to stop, rest and take a break after the valley route from Schanze.

This stage leads from Rhein-Weser-Turm to a point not far from Lützel, crossing a quieter section of the Rothaargebirge. The route is shorter than before, with a gentle rolling profile and most of the walking on forest tracks and calm woodland paths. The day starts with a gradual descent, then settles into smaller climbs and dips through broad forest. It is a steady stage, with enough variation to keep the walking interesting without feeling too heavy.

From Rhein-Weser-Turm, the trail heads south through continuous forest and passes near Heinsberg Heath and the Krenkel Valley Aqueduct. Further on, you walk close to the Zinsebach Valley Nature Reserve, with viewpoints towards the Siegerland and the surrounding Sauerland hills nearby. The route continues through quiet woodland, rolling gently as it heads towards the area near Lützel, passing small clearings and forest junctions along the way.

The stage ends not far from Lützel, after a calm crossing through the Rothaargebirge. You arrive with a manageable forest stage behind you, in a good position to rest and prepare for the next section of the Rothaarsteig.

From Lützel to Lahnhof you will be covering 16.7 km with 280 m of ascent and 290 m of descent. It is a moderate and steady section of the Rothaarsteig, with a gently rolling profile rather than any major climb. Most of the route follows quiet forest paths and broad woodland tracks through the Rothaargebirge. Expect a calm walking day with spring areas, wooded valleys and small clearings along the way.

From Lützel, the route heads into the forest and soon passes the Eder Headwaters before following the Ederbach Valley Trail. You continue through quiet woodland towards the area around Hohenroth Forester’s Lodge, with viewpoints towards the Obernau Reservoir visible nearby on the map. Further on, the trail reaches Sieg Spring, one of the main highlights of the stage, before continuing south through rolling forest terrain and passing near the Charcoal Kiln at Naturpark Sauerland.

The stage finishes in Lahnhof after a calm walk through forests, springs and gentle hills. You arrive with a manageable distance behind you, making this a good place to rest, settle in and prepare for the next section of the Rothaarsteig.

This stage leads from Lahnhof to Wilgersdorf, covering 20 km with 330 m of ascent and 470 m of descent. The route follows a mostly rolling and gradually descending profile through the wooded hills between the Lahn-Dill area and the Siegerland. There are no major climbs, but the distance and repeated small height changes make it a full walking day. Expect quiet forest paths, springs, viewpoints and a long approach towards the lower ground near Wilgersdorf.

From Lahnhof, the trail starts near the highest point in the Lahn-Dill area and follows forested high ground before descending gradually. Along the way, you pass viewpoints such as Tiefenrother Höhe and continue near Bichelbach Spring and the Bettelbuche Parking Lot area. The route then keeps to calm woodland paths around Offdilln, with more views towards surrounding villages and hills before the final section leads closer to Wilgersdorf.

The stage finishes in Wilgersdorf after a long but steady route through forest and rolling terrain. You arrive with most of the descent behind you, making the village a practical place to rest, eat and settle in after the walk from Lahnhof.

Covering 20.8 km with 430 m of ascent and 650 m of descent, you'll be hiking from Wilgersdorf to Dillenburg. The profile trends downhill overall, but there are several smaller climbs along the way, so it remains a full walking day. The route moves through wooded hills, quiet valleys and village edges, gradually leaving the higher Sauerland terrain behind and heading towards the lower Lahn-Dill area.

From Wilgersdorf, the trail heads south through forested terrain and passes viewpoints near the start, including the viewpoint frame in Naturpark Sauerland-Rothaargebirge. The route then continues towards Rodenbach, with views over the Roßbach Valley and a pond on the Haigerseelbach hiking route nearby. Further on, you pass quiet woodland paths above Sechshelden and approach the area around Kanzelstein Nature Reserve before the final descent towards Dillenburg.

The stage finishes in Dillenburg after a long route with more descent than climbing. You arrive in town with the forested hills behind you, making this a practical place to rest, eat and settle in after the walk from Wilgersdorf.

Today, your Rothaarsteig adventure comes to an end in Dillenburg. Before leaving, you may have some time to explore the town, a pleasant place to end the trip, with enough options for a relaxed break before heading home.