- 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
Rothaarsteig from Brilon to Willingen
This stage of the Rothaarsteig runs 23.4 km from Brilon to Willingen: It starts at the historic center of the Hanseatic city of Brilon. The Möhnequelle, the Borberg, the Ginsterkopf, the Feuereiche, and the Bruchhauser Steine are all along the way. A beautiful stretch of the Rothaarsteig with many great views!
Tour starting point:
Brilon
Tour destination point:
Willingen
Properties:
Additional Information
For more information about the Rothaarsteig, visit www.rothaarsteig.de or call the toll-free service hotline at +49 2974 / 499 4163. We’ll be happy to provide you with personalized advice on planning your trip.Category
regionaler WanderwegLength
25.9 kmDuration
7:55 hElevation ascent
801 mElevation descent
672 mLowest point
432 mHighest point
766 mCondition
Difficulty
Recommended seasons
The historic Hanseatic city of Brilon is located in the northeastern part of the Sauerland region at the source of the Möhne River. The market square is the proud centerpiece of the old trading town of Brilon. The Rothaarsteig trail begins in front of the historic town hall. The trail winds through downtown Brilon, past the district administration building, and into the “Am Drübel” nature reserve on the outskirts of town.
With the Möhne River 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 gave rise to the Brilon Bürgerwald and the Kyrill Gate.
Passing through Gudenhagen-Petersborn, the Rothaarsteig then heads toward the Borberg (670 m), the highest point of the Brilon Plateau, offering a wonderful view of the Ruhrtal near Olsberg. The Rothaarsteig then turns east and passes Schusterknapp (616 m) and 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 Bruchhauser Steine Information Center. Anyone wishing to climb the Steine—North Rhine-Westphalia’s only National Natural Monument—can do so from here for a small admission fee. This impressive rock formation on the Istenberg (728 m) consists of four large porphyry boulders that are up to 92 m high. Further information: https://www.stiftung-bruchhauser-steine.de/
The Rothaarsteig trail passes below the Bruchhauser Steine, above the small village of Bruchhausen. With a view of the privately owned Bruchhausen Castle, it’s worth making a detour to the Rosenbogen Heidrich estate café and its Sauerland flower garden. If your feet are sore, you can end the first stage of the hike right here.
From Bruchhausen, the trail climbs steadily up to the Richtplatz, a former site of public executions. To reach Willingen, continue from here along the yellow-and-black-marked Rothaarsteig access trail down into the town.
If you’re up for it and don’t get dizzy, take a detour to the Willingen Skywalk —Germany’s longest suspension bridge.
Information
Directions
Brilon Marketplace - Möhnequelle - Poppenberg - Gudenhagen-Petersborn - Borberg - Schusterknapp - Ginsterköpfe - Feuereiche - Bruchhauser Steine - Richtplatz - Willingen
Equipment
The Rothaarsteig follows numerous nature trails away from agricultural and forestry 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 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 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 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 supplier Tatonka are not only practical but also unbreakable and durable.
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 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 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 supplier Tatonka are not only practical but also unbreakable and durable.
Safety guidelines
Information on the Emergency Signs Along the Rothaarsteig
Hiking trails usually run away from towns and settlements, and anyone who hikes has surely wondered at least once what would happen if an emergency were to occur. How can I be found here? Where am I, anyway? Can emergency services reach me?
Hiking trails usually run away from towns and settlements, and anyone who hikes has surely wondered at least once 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, speed is of the essence! That’s why the Rothaarsteig is equipped with so-called rescue 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 lets emergency responders know exactly where you are, saving valuable time.
Note on the increased risk of wildfires
Please be aware that due to the 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, City of the Forest
- Brilon Bürgerwald with the Kyrill-Tor
- View from the Ginsterköpfe
- Fire Oak
- Bruchhauser Steine National Natural Monument—Access is via the Bruchhauser Steine Information Center, where an admission fee is required. More information: https://www.stiftung-bruchhauser-steine.de/
- Bruchhausen Castle
- Willingen Skywalk—Germany’s longest suspension bridge
Places to stop for a bite to eat:
- Hiebammen Hütte, Brilon
- Gutscafé Rosenbogen Heidrich with the Sauerland Flower Garden
- A Stop for Refreshments – The Ski and Sledding Hut
- K1 Hut
- Itterbach Farm
Restaurants
- BUITERLING Hotel Brilon
- Hotel Rech, Brilon
- Hotel Haus Hellhohl, Brilon
- DAS Loft Hotel Hölsterloh, Brilon
- Waldhotel Schinkenwirt, Olsberg
- Waldbahnhof Sauerland, Brilon-Wald
- Schlosshotel Brilon-Wald
- Gutscafé Rosenbogen Heidrich, Bruchhausen
- Hotel "Waldhausen am See" Willingen
- Sporthotel "Zum Hohen Eimberg" Willingen
- "Zur Alten Post" Bed & Breakfast, Willingen
- DAS Loft Hotel, Willingen
- Landkomfort Hotel Elsenmann, Willingen
- Naturhotel Hochheide, Willingen
- Waldhotel Willingen
- NaturBoutique Hotel RAUSZEIT
- Sauerland Stern Hotel
- Itterbach Manor & Residence
Hiking Trails
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. Our brochure “Rothaarsteig Guide” is a great companion for any hike, featuring accommodations along the trail and other useful information.
Maps
You can order the original Rothaarsteig hiking map at a scale of 1:50,000 on waterproof paper—featuring up-to-date trail routes and useful markings such as mountain huts, parking lots, bus stops, and much more—at www.rothaarsteig.de/ for 11.00 euros with free shipping, conveniently delivered right to your door.
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.
The RB42 train line or bus 382 runs between Brilon Stadt and the Willingen (Upland) train station. Check www.bahn.de for schedule information.
If you’d like to hike just a single day’s stage, we recommend using public transportation at the start of your hike and leaving a car at the end point. That way, you won’t have to worry about bus or train schedules during your hike.
Parking
If you're coming by car, you can park for free in the parking lot on "Krumme Straße" or at the Kreishaus (Am Rothaarsteig 1).
In Willingen, you can park your car for free at the Tourist Information Office (Am Hagen 10, 34508 Willingen (Upland)).