Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Bruchhausen

Sauerland-Wanderdorfs / Neusta Touren / Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Bruchhausen

The Rothaarsteig trail takes you over 18 kilometers from Brilon to Bruchhausen. You’ll start at the historic market square in the Hanseatic city of Brilon and hike past the imposing Kyrilltor, through the historic “Borbergs Kirchhof,” and across the scenic Ginsterköpfe to Bruchhausen.

Tour starting point:

Brilon Market Square

Tour destination point:

Olsberg-Bruchhausen

Properties:

Summit
Nature Highlight
Culturally interesting
Place to stop for a bite to eat
Accommodation options
Signage
Tour with a Dog
"Hiking in Germany" Quality Trail
Good access to public transportation
Free of charge / accessible at any time

Additional Information

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Length

17.4 km

Duration

4:54 h

Elevation ascent

379 m

Elevation descent

385 m

Lowest point

427 m

Highest point

657 m

Condition

Difficulty

Recommended seasons

J F M A M J J A S O N D

The old Hanseatic city of Brilon is located in the northeastern part of the Sauerland region. The proud centerpiece of the old Hanseatic city of Brilon is the market square, featuring the Petersbrunnen fountain and the historic town hall. This is where the Rothaarsteig trail begins.

The trail winds through downtown Brilon, past the county administration building, and into the “Am Drübel” nature reserve near the city. With the Möhnequelle on the eastern slope of the Poppenberg (605 m), the Rothaarsteig heads toward the first of many notable springs in the Rothaar Mountains. On Brilon’s Poppenberg, more than 20 different species of deciduous trees were planted in a colorful mix following Storm Kyrill, thanks to a private initiative. This is how the Brilon Bürgerwald came to be. If you’re already feeling thirsty, you can take a break at the Hiebammen Hütte.

Passing Gudenhagen and Petersborn, the Rothaarsteig heads toward the Borberg (670 m), the highest point of the Brilon Plateau, offering a wonderful view of the Ruhrtal near Olsberg. Afterward, the Rothaarsteig turns east and passes Schusterknapp (616 m) before crossing the Ginsterköpfe (661 m), which offer a magnificent view over the Brilon Plateau, the Upper Ruhrtal, and across to the Bruchhauser Steine.

After passing the “Feuereiche”—a tree transformed into a work of art that illustrates the importance of wood as an energy source under the theme “Warmth Grows in the Forest”—the trail continues past the information center of the Bruchhauser Steine Foundation. Those who wish to climb the Bruchhauser Steine—the first of two National Natural Monuments in North Rhine-Westphalia—can do so from here for a small admission fee. For more information: https://www.stiftung-bruchhauser-steine.de/

The Rothaarsteig trail leads you below the Bruchhauser Steine to the small village of Bruchhausen. To round off the hike, it’s worth stopping at the Sauerland Flower Garden, which has its own café.

Information

Directions

Brilon Marketplace - Möhnequelle - Poppenberg - Gudenhagen-Petersborn - Borberg - Schusterknapp - Ginsterköpfe - Feuereiche - Bruchhauser Steine - Bruchhausen

Equipment

The Rothaarsteig follows numerous nature trails away from agricultural and forestry roads. Therefore, weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes 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 BackpackWith the right hiking backpack, your trip 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 outdoor gear manufacturer Tatonka in various sizes for day hikes and multi-day trips, featuring different ventilated back systems.

First Aid KitTo ensure you can fully enjoy your hike on the Rothaarsteig, you should pack a first aid kit in your backpack just in case. 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 well-hydrated is especially important in the summer.
The stainless-steel bottles, stainless-steel insulated jugs, and stainless-steel lunch boxes from the German outdoor gear manufacturer Tatonka are not only practical but also unbreakable and durable.

Safety guidelines

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.

Notice Regarding Increased Forest Fire Risk

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, check the area carefully.
Report fires by calling “112.”
Leave the danger zone by the shortest route.

The forest will thank you!

Author Tip

Brilon's historic market square with City Hall and the Petersbrunnen fountain

Bürgerwald Forest with the Kyrill Gate near Petersborn
Borberg Cemetery
View from the Ginsterköpfe
Fire Oak
Bruchhauser Steine

Places to stop for refreshments:

Restaurants:

Hiking spots:

Literature

To help you prepare for your hike, we’d be happy to send you our free information package. At www.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

Maps

Original 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

Alternative:Brilon/Olsberg Hiking Map

Public transit

The best way to get to Brilon is by train. Get off at the "Brilon - Stadt" station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the starting point of the Rothaarsteig, the market square in Brilon. If you’re coming by bus, you can ride directly to the “Brilon – Markt” stop.

This tour is also perfect as a single-day trip. To get from Bruchhausen to Brilon or vice versa, take bus line R31 (which operates as an on-demand bus on weekends upon telephone request) between Bruchhausen and the train station in Olsberg, transfer once in Olsberg, and continue on to Brilon via line S30. Travel time is approximately 35 minutes. Of course

this also works in the opposite direction. For more information, visit www.bahn.de.

We recommend using public transportation at the start of your tour and having a car waiting for you at the end point. That way, you won’t have to worry about bus or train schedules during your hike.