Rothaarsteig from Küstelberg to Kahler Asten

Sauerland-Wanderdorfs / Neusta Touren / Rothaarsteig from Küstelberg to Kahler Asten

Starting in Küstelberg, on this stage of the Rothaarsteig, you'll hike past the source of the Ruhr, through the winter sports resort of Winterberg, and up to the "roof of the Sauerland"—the Kahler Asten.

Tour starting point:

Medebach-Küstelberg

Tour destination point:

Kahler Asten

Properties:

Summit
Place to stop for a bite to eat
Suitable for winter use
Signage
Tour with a Dog
"Hiking in Germany" Quality Trail
free of charge / accessible at any time

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’d be happy to provide you with personalized advice on planning your trip.

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Length

14.7 km

Duration

4:10 h

Elevation ascent

471 m

Elevation descent

295 m

Lowest point

621 m

Highest point

838 m

Condition

Difficulty

Recommended seasons

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

From Küstelberg, the Rothaarsteig heads west and passes the former Wagenschmier quarry, which you’ll cross via a narrow trail.

The trail then reaches the source of the Ruhr River, which gives its name to the Ruhrgebiet, Germany’s largest metropolitan area. The final stretch of this stage leads right into the winter sports resort of Winterberg. Shortly before reaching the town center, the Rothaarsteig descends into the Helletal, an alpine-like gorge with a rainforest atmosphere in the heart of the Rothaar Mountains. A stretch of landscape of bizarre beauty right in the middle of Winterberg. On the outskirts of Winterberg, the trail passes the town’s landmark, the St. Georg Schanze, and continues toward Kahler Asten (842 m).

The Kahler Asten is the most famous mountain on the Rothaarsteig and even has its own weather station. Thanks to the open heathland, you can enjoy a 360-degree view from high above: On a clear day, you can see the Brocken (1,141 m) in the Harz Mountains, the Großer Feldberg (881 m) in the Taunus Mountains, and the Wasserkuppe (950 m) in the Rhön Mountains.

Information

Directions

Küstelberg – Source of the Ruhr – Helletal – Winterberg – Kappe Adventure Mountain – Kahler Asten

Equipment

The Rothaarsteig follows numerous nature trails away from agricultural and forestry roads. Therefore, weather-resistant 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 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 Kit To ensure you can fully enjoy your hike on the Rothaarsteig, it’s a good idea to 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, easy-to-follow guidelines on how to respond to emergencies in the great outdoors. Find Tatonka’s first-aid kits here!

Food and Beverages
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 beverages, especially for these sections. Staying properly 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 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?

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.

Notice regarding 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

Source of the Ruhr
Helletal
St. George's Hill
Kahler Asten

Places to stop for refreshments:

Restaurants:

Literature

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. Our brochure “Rothaarsteig Guide” is a great companion for any hike, featuring accommodations along the trail and other useful information.

Maps

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. You can conveniently order it online atwww.rothaarsteig.de/wanderkarte for 11.00 euros with free shipping right to your door.

Public transit

You can reach Küstelberg from Winterberg by taking the R48 bus (travel time: about 12 minutes)
You can reach Winterberg by train
The Kahler Asten is served by an on-demand bus (Tel. (0800)3504031; reservations must be made at least 30 minutes before departure).
At the “foot” of the Kahler Asten, at the Winterberg Nordhang stop, the S40 line stops. For more information, visit www.bahn.de.

We recommend using public transportation at the start of your hike and leaving a car at the endpoint. That way, you won’t have to worry about bus or train schedules during your hike.

Parking

In Küstelberg, there is a free hiking parking lot available in the town center
Paid parking is available on the Kahler Asten
At the “foot” of the Kahler Asten, you can park for free at the Nordhang parking lot