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- Round trip
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Bison Trail - Rothaarsteig Trail - Animal hiking fun
**Due to forestry work, the Wisent Trail in the Jagdhaus area has to be rerouted via the Rivieraweg to just before Wingeshausen. A detour is signposted **.
Tour starting point:
"Sonnenhofer", Jagdhaus, parking lot bison wilderness
Tour destination point:
At the chosen starting point: "Sonnenhofer", Jagdhaus or parking lot Wisent-Wildnis
Properties:
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Additional Information
Refreshment stops along the route:
Further information:
- Bad Berleburg Tourist Information
Marktplatz 1a
57319 Bad Berleburg
Tel. +49 2751 9363-3
info@blb-tourismus.de
www.blb-tourismus.de
- Rothaarsteigverein e.V.
www.rothaarsteig.de
Free service hotline: +49 2974 4994163
- Wisent-Welt-Wittgenstein
www.wisent-welt.de
Marking: three markings (a bison burnt into wood, the black R, the Wisentwelt logo on a white background)
Further information about the Rothaarsteig can be found at www.rothaarsteig.de and by calling the free service hotline on +49 2974 / 499 4163, where we will be happy to advise you on your personal tour planning.
Category
WanderungLength
13.6 kmTime
4:30 Std.Elevation ascent
350 mElevation descent
350 mAltitude (Minimum)
455 mAltitude (Maximum)
676 mCondition
Difficulty
Adventure
Landscape
Recommended seasons
The hiking trail around Aue-Wingeshausen delights with picturesque views and exciting wildlife. Marvel at the world of the bison and follow the tracks of these majestic animals.
The bison can be seen in the wild in Wittgenstein and are the inspiration for the 13.5-kilometre "Wisent-Pfad" hiking trail in Wingeshausen.
Thanks to a unique nature conservation project in Western Europe, the robust animals have been living in the Rothaargebirge since 2013 and roam freely through the forests of the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg royal family.
The bison trail leads along soft, sometimes very narrow forest paths and invites you on a discovery tour. Small wooden boards with the bison branded on them lead through varied forests on the Rothaar ridge.
The "bison wilderness on the Rothaarsteig" offers a special insight. This is home to a second herd of bison. The bison trail leads from Wingeshausen over the Rothaar ridge to Schmallenberg-Jagdhaus, through the picturesque valley of the Ihrige and paths in the Bockeshorntal back to Wingeshausen.
Information
Directions
Our start and finish is the Sonnenhofer above Wingeshausen. After a special view through the Augenstein, we walk through the extensive Rohrbach valley and past the new treading pool and rest area. After about six kilometers on winding paths, we reach the "Wisent Wilderness on the Rothaarsteig". There you can enjoy a circular walk through the enclosure and marvel at Europe's largest land mammals. Jumping over streams, stalking through a badger den and climbing on rock formations - the natural adventure trail is a real highlight on this tour, and families with little nature explorers in particular will be delighted. Entry to the bison wilderness is subject to a charge, but the large nature playground is free of charge. The "bison hut" is an inviting rest stop.With or without a detour into the bison wilderness - the trail leads towards the Schmallenberg district of Jagdhaus. On the way to the romantic little village, we pass the moonlight bench and cross the Grenzweg just a few meters further on. We reach the Rothaarsteig via a feeder road and continue our route on this hiking trail. In Jagdhaus, we have the opportunity to refresh our tired feet in a pedal pool . Well rested, the route continues.In the middle of the village, there is a turn-off into the valley to Wingeshausen, which leads through the picturesque valley of the Ihrige. We reach the Bockeshorntal valley via varied paths. Finally, we pass the Forellenhof. From here it is only a few kilometers to Wingeshausen.
Safty guidelines
Information about the rescue signs on the RothaarsteigMost hiking trails run away from towns and settlements and every hiker has 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.Bison and wild animals on the Rothaarsteig - tips on how to behaveThe risks posed to normal hikers by bison are low and can be reduced to an absolute minimum by adopting appropriate and respectful behavior.Walk calmly and inconspicuously past the animals at a distance, do not frighten them and do not look them directly in the eye.If the animals approach you, remain calm, do not turn your back on them and leave the area without rushing, but always with a view of the animal. If the animals fall below a distance that makes you uncomfortable, call loudly, whistle or make yourself heard in another way. Watch out for threatening gestures! If sows "chatter their teeth" or bison lower their heads, they expect you to retreat. Move back!If you have a dog with you, keep it under control on a lead. If an animal attacks your dog, take it off the lead! The dog is faster and more agile than you and will definitely find you again!Note on the increased risk of forest firesPlease 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 smoking ban 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!
Public transiot
The train from Bad Berleburg station takes 20 minutes to Aue-Wingeshausen. From there, it is around 800 m on foot to the Westertal parking lot, where the tour startsTake the L196 bus from the train station to the Kappler Mühle stop in Wingeshausen. From there it is only a 200 m walk to the Westertal parking lot.https://www.zws-online.de/fileadmin/contents/2_fahrplaene_liniennetz/2_1_fahrplaene/2_1_3_fahrplantabellen/2_1_3_1_schienenstrecken/443.pdfhttps://www.vws-siegen.de/pdf/L196.pdfWe 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.
Getting there
Coming from Bad Berleburg and Erndtebrück via the L553 to the center of Aue, then via the K42 towards Wingeshausen/Jagdhaus, coming from Schmallenberg on the K42 to the end of Wingeshausen; Alternatively: Wisent-Wildnis parking lot, Weidiger WegBy car: An der Bracht 50, 57319 Bad Berleburg; Weidiger Weg 100, 57319 Bad BerleburgHikers' parking lot Jagdhaus (at the end of Jagdhaus) , 57392 Schmallenberg-Jagdhaus
Parking
Westertal parking lot at the sports field, Casimirstaler Weg 1 in 57319 Bad Berleburg-Wingeshausen.Parking at the Sonnenhofer, An der Bracht 50, 57319 Bad Berleburg Sufficient free parking spaces availableParking at the Wisent-Wildnis/Wisent-Hütte - Weidinger Weg 100, 57319 Bad Berleburg - sufficient free parking spaces available