Rothaarsteig from the Source of the Lahn to Wilgersdorf

The Rothaarsteig follows numerous nature trails away from agricultural and forest roads. Therefore, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear are a must for every hike. After all, we want you to experience the “Path of the Senses” not only with “dry” feet but also with “steady” ones.

In our small hiking shop at www.rothaarsteig.de/shop, you’ll also find a selection of Rothaarsteig merchandise to help you prepare for your hike or to take home as a souvenir. We’re also happy to recommend the durable, high-quality outdoor gear from our long-standing partner, the outdoor equipment supplier Tatonka.

Hiking Backpack

With the right hiking backpack, your hike on the Rothaarsteig will be twice as much fun! Hiking backpacks offer exceptional comfort thanks to a ventilated carrying system, which ensures that sweat can evaporate immediately. They can be secured with a chest or hip strap, ensuring they stay firmly against your back with every movement. They’re also equipped with a practical holder for hiking poles and often feature a compartment with a hose outlet for a hydration bladder, ensuring you stay hydrated at all times.

Here you’ll find hiking backpacks from the outdoor gear manufacturer Tatonka in various sizes for day hikes and multi-day trips, featuring different ventilated back systems.

First-Aid Kit

To ensure you can fully enjoy your hike on the Rothaarsteig, you should pack a first-aid kit in your backpack as a safety precaution. After all, nothing is more frustrating than not being able to immediately and properly treat a blister on your foot or minor injuries. Tatonka’s first-aid kits are stocked with all the essential supplies for treating injuries and also include an “outdoor cheat sheet” with concise and clear guidelines on how to respond to emergencies in the great outdoors. Find Tatonka’s first-aid kits here!

Food and Drinks

On some sections of the trail, especially between Lahnhof and Dillenburg, there are unfortunately no places to stop for refreshments along the way. Be sure to pack food and drinks, especially for these sections. Staying hydrated is particularly important in the summer.

Tatonka’s stainless steel water bottles, stainless steel insulated jugs, and stainless steel lunch boxes are not only practical but also unbreakable and durable.

Information About the Emergency Signs on the Rothaarsteig

Hiking trails usually run away from towns and settlements, and anyone who hikes has surely wondered at some point what would happen if an emergency were to occur. How can I be found here? Where am I, anyway? Can emergency services reach me?

But in an emergency, time is of the essence! That’s why the Rothaarsteig is equipped with so-called emergency signs along its entire length. The green-and-white plaques attached to the signposts feature a number that you must provide when making an emergency call. This allows emergency responders to know exactly where you are, saving valuable time.

Note on the Increased Risk of Wildfires

Please be aware that due to dry conditions, there is currently an increased risk of wildfires! Therefore, please observe the following guidelines:

• Comply with the legal ban on smoking in the forest—it applies in spring, summer, and fall, specifically from March 1 through October 31.


• Observe the ban on open fires in the forest and within 100 meters of the forest.


• Take any glass with you when you leave the forest—the magnifying effect of glass can trigger forest fires.

If it’s (too) late:

• Extinguish small fires as they start if you can do so safely. If necessary, carefully inspect the area.


• Report fires by calling “112.”


• Leave the danger zone by the shortest route.

The forest will thank you!

• Source of the Lahn


• Coffee Beech and Hauberg


• Ilse Spring


• Haincher Höhe


• Dill Spring


• "Nose in the Wind" Viewing Platform

Restaurants:

• Hotel Fünf10


• Pension zum Rothaarsteig


• Gasthof Pension Jokebes


• Wilgersdorf Guesthouse, LLC


• Mechels Guest Apartments

For more information about the Rothaarsteig, visitwww.rothaarsteig.de or call our toll-free service hotline at +49 2974 / 499 4163. We’d be happy to provide you with personalized advice on planning your hike. 

To help you prepare for your hike, we’d be happy to send you our free information package. Atwww.rothaarsteig.de/prospekte, you can easily select the information you need. A great companion for any hike is our brochure “Rothaarsteig Guide,” which lists accommodations along the trail and provides other useful information. 

The Rothaarsteig recommends:

• Hikeline Hiking Guide: Rothaarsteig Long-Distance Hiking Trail —From Brilon in the Sauerland over the ridge of the Rothaar Mountains to Dillenburg


• Conrad Stein Verlag: Rothaarsteig Hiking Guide – Long-Distance Hiking Trail. Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Dillenburg by Amrei Risse


• Rother Bergverlag: Rother Hiking Guide: Rothaarsteig. Including the “Sauerland-Höhenflug” and the “Sauerland-Waldroute” by Matthias Schopp

Rothaarsteig Hiking Map at a scale of 1:50,000

• Divided into two sheets (North Sheet / South Sheet)


• 10th edition—up-to-date trail information


• Features marked shelters, lookout points, bus stops, parking lots, and much more


• Free shipping from the Rothaarsteig hiking shop

Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to the source of the Lahn. You’ll need to take a taxi, which will take you to the nearest train station in Rudersdorf. From there, you can catch a train heading toward Gießen or Siegen. You can order a taxi by calling the paid hotline at 22456 (a mobile number for taxi orders throughout Germany).

There are several bus routes in Wilgersdorf. The nearest train station is also Rudersdorf.

For more information, visitwww.bahn.de. 

If you’re coming by car, we recommend using public transportation at the start of your hike and parking your car at the trail’s endpoint. That way, you won’t have to worry about bus or train schedules during your hike.