The Rothaarsteig: Brilon to Bruchhausen (Stage-1)

September 03, 2017

The Rothaarsteig: Brilon to Bruchhausen (Stage-1)

The Rothaarsteig refers to the 154.8 km hiking trail along the Rothaargebirge mountain range between North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Hesse (HE). The trail runs from Brilon (NRW) to Dillenburg (HE) and can be divided in 8 stages / day hikes of 15 to 26 km each. Stage-1 is the hike between Brilon and Bruchhausen.

Distance | Time : 17.05 km | 5.0 h

Elevation High | Low : 489 m | 442 m

Best time : April - October

Places to See

Map for the Rothaarsteig trail with attractions and key sites is available on the official site (www.rothaarsteig.de). Key sites in Rothaarsteig stage-1 are:

Brilon - City of forests; Landschaftstherapeutischer Weg Brilon; Möhnequelle Brilon; Briloner Bürgerwald mit Kyrill-Tor; Hiebammen-Hütte Brilon; Borberg Kirchhof; Ginsterkopf bei Brilon-Wald; Feuereiche; Bruchhauser Steine; Schloss Bruchhausen; Olsberg

Landmarks / Path

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

[Brilon to Bruchhausen on Google Maps]

Arrival: Dortmund hbf to Brilon-Stadt Bahnhof

RE 57 Dortmund-Sauerland-Express: The direct route 'Dortmund-Bestwig-Brilon' is every 2 hrs starting 07:41 am. Travel duration 95 minutes.

Note: The train RE 57 is every hour via Bestwig towards Winterberg or Brilon. RE 57 starting 08:41 am goes on 'Dortmund-Bestwig-Winterberg' route (every 2 hrs) and travelling to Brilon would require changing trains on route. Travel duration up to 125 minutes.

Return: Bruchhausen (Olsberg) to Dortmund hbf

✦ RegioBus R/T31: Bruchhausen (Steine), Kirche to Olsberg Bahnhof. On weekdays, the bus service is every 1 hr with the last bus at 08.01 pm and takes about 20 min to reach Olsberg Bahnhof. While traveling on weekends, bus service is only available upon reservation at least 30 minutes prior to departure require (VRR to plan on weekend).

✦ RE 57 Dortmund-Sauerland-Express: Olsberg Bahnhof to Dortmund hbf. The direct train (RE 57) is every 2 hrs ending at 05:56 pm and the last direct train is at 08:02 pm. Travel duration 75 minutes.

Note: Alternate travel options between Olsberg Bahnhof and Dortmund hbf also exist, which require changing trains in Hagen. The last one of such option is at 10:28 pm with the travel duration of up to 120 minutes.

Shorter Alternatives

In case you are short on time and want to go slower while enjoying nature, there are routes from Borberg Kirchhof towards Olsberg. Enjoy the view of Olsberg from Borberg Kirchhof and follow the signs from the Kirchhoff towards Olsberg. A small stretch near the Kirchhof may be steep but reduces the hike length to 12 - 13 km depending on where you end in Olsberg.

Precautions
✦ Since it rains almost throughout the year in this region, to considering a day long trek you might want be certain about weather conditions.
✦ Keep a note of nearest 'Hilfe Stelle' or 'rescue spot', this might be useful in case of emergency.
✦ General precautions to prevent ticks related diseases.
✦ The route in general is well marked with relevant trail symbols and maps. In case you don't see the Rothaarsteig trail sign on the path make sure that you haven't switched trails unknowingly.

Other Links

✦ Details of Rothaarsteig Stage-1

✦ Site for planning travel - VRR or Deutsche Bahn

Pictures