Rothaarsteig from Willingen to Küstelberg

Sauerland-Wanderdorfs / Neusta Touren / Rothaarsteig from Willingen to Küstelberg

The Rothaarsteig takes you on a 15-kilometer hike from Willingen, past the Richtplatz, over the Langenberg—the highest point in North Rhine-Westfalen—through the Niedersfeld Hochheide, and on to Küstelberg.

Tour starting point:

Willingen, Train Station

Tour destination point:

Medebach-Küstelberg

Properties:

Summit
Place to stop for a bite to eat
Suitable for winter use
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

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 personalized advice on planning your trip.

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Length

16.3 km

Duration

4:41 h

Elevation ascent

382 m

Elevation descent

296 m

Lowest point

570 m

Highest point

848 m

Condition

Difficulty

Recommended seasons

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

This stage of the Rothaarsteig begins in Willingen. The trail leads up to the Richtplatz via the access path. From here, the Rothaarsteig turns south and runs along the Rothaar Ridge on the Hessian state border, which also serves as the watershed between the Rhine and the Weser. From the Richtplatz, it’s not far to the Langenberg, the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westfalen.

The trail continues along the ridge to the Neuer Hagen Nature Reserve, the largest high-altitude or mountain heathland in North Rhine-Westfalen, featuring a small moorland area. On the edge of the nature reserve lies the Clemensberg (839 m), one of the few Rothaar peaks that are treeless and therefore offer a beautiful panoramic view even without an observation tower. Passing the source of the Hoppecke, the trail leads over the Hillekopf (805 m) to Küstelberg.

Information

Directions

Willingen - Richtplatz - Langenberg - Neuer Hagen Nature Reserve - Clemesberg - Hoppecke Spring - Hillekopf - Küstelberg

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 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 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, 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 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 the source of the Lahn 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 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 emergency signs throughout the trail. 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

Richtplatz

Langenberg—the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia
Neuer Hagen Nature Reserve / Niedersfelder Hochheide
Clemensberg

Places to stop for refreshments:

Restaurants:

Hiking:

Willingen Trekking Park

Literature

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

You can reach the Willingen train station directly from Dortmund, Hagen, Marburg, Warburg, and Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. You can reach Küstelberg from the Winterberg train station via bus line R48 in just a few minutes.

For more information, visit www.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.