Rothaarsteig: GPX, map & 7 stages
152 km in Germany · 7 stages · 3,636 m ascent · public transport on every stage · best Apr–Oct
Plan Rothaarsteig with the full GPX download, 7 stage GPX files, map, elevation profile, and public transport on every stage. Choose a stage, open it in Planner, or download GPX before you go.
An automatic guide. TrailSplits built it from OpenStreetMap and cut it into 7 stages where the mapped route meets public transport. They are not the official stages or checked overnight stops, and TrailSplits has not checked the stays, water or closures. Check them with the trail's operator before you go. The trail's own site.
Quick answer: Rothaarsteig is a 152 km long-distance route from Brilon to Dillenburg. TrailSplits built this guide automatically from OpenStreetMap and cut it into 7 stages where the mapped route meets public transport; they are not the official stages or checked overnight stops. It has the map, elevation profile, full GPX download and public transport on every stage.
152km
Total Distance
7
Stages
3,636m
Total Ascent
178
Transit Stops
Plan Rothaarsteig
Rothaarsteig covers 152 km from Brilon to Dillenburg with 3,636 m of ascent. Use the mapped GPX, stage GPX files, elevation profile, and public transport stops to choose a hiking, trail running, or fastpacking schedule.
- Best season
- April to October· from climate averages
- GPX coverage
- Full route plus 7 stage GPX files
- Transit access
- All 7 stages start or finish by public transport
- Stage options
- 8 days hiking / 4 days trail running / 5 days fastpacking
- Route coverage
- Complete mapped route
- Field use
- Route tools available
Weather this week
Loading the forecast for low point (228 m) and high point (846 m)…
Month by month
Typical weather on this trail: at the lowest point (228 m) and the highest point (846 m). Select a month to see why it is rated as it is.
| Month | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | Poor | Poor | Mixed | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Mixed | Poor |
| Stages rated good on typical weather | 0/7 | 0/7 | 0/7 | 7/7 | 7/7 | 7/7 | 7/7 | 7/7 | 7/7 | 7/7 | 0/7 | 0/7 |
| High point, day / night | 1°/-4° | 2°/-4° | 5°/-2° | 10°/1° | 14°/5° | 17°/8° | 19°/10° | 19°/10° | 14°/7° | 10°/4° | 5°/0° | 2°/-3° |
| Low point, day / night | 5°/-1° | 6°/-1° | 10°/1° | 15°/4° | 20°/8° | 23°/11° | 25°/13° | 24°/12° | 19°/9° | 14°/6° | 8°/3° | 5°/0° |
| Rain, mm | 152 | 113 | 117 | 80 | 80 | 83 | 118 | 96 | 106 | 116 | 126 | 151 |
| Snow at high point | Possible | Possible | Possible | Frost | – | – | – | – | – | – | Possible | Possible |
| Daylight | 8 h 23 | 9 h 59 | 11 h 47 | 13 h 46 | 15 h 29 | 16 h 30 | 16 h 08 | 14 h 38 | 12 h 44 | 10 h 49 | 9 h | 7 h 58 |
Source: TerraClimate 1991–2020 monthly averages. Averages for the area at each point’s elevation (4 km grid, corrected for height). Not a forecast or a report of current trail conditions. Snow at the high point is estimated with a simple snowpack model from these temperatures and precipitation, not observed; steep islands and high summits can hold more snow than it shows. Daylight is for the 15th of each month. Hut, transport and park seasons are separate: check them for your dates.
Why transit-optimized?
We present Rothaarsteig as 7 stages with public-transport access, so you can plan the hike without a car.
Take Rothaarsteig offline — free
Most trail guides are just a page to read. TrailSplits is a free app you install straight from your browser — download the whole Rothaarsteig map to your phone and follow the route with no signal, in multi-day battery mode. No app store, no account, no subscription.
- ✓ Offline map for the full route
- ✓ Turn-by-turn navigation
- ✓ Download before losing signal; carry backup power
Long route — you can download it stage by stage to save space.
Download for offline — pick your stages
Save the sections you'll walk, or download the whole route. Each selection saves its map and GPX in My Hikes. Stages are not necessarily overnight stops. Before leaving signal, reopen and test your downloads on this device.
Trail route lab
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Full Trail Map
Route briefing
What comes next
Climbs and access in route order. Not listed does not mean absent: it may not be mapped.
Start
0 m
Brilon
Start
Route geometry · source 2026-08-26
About 0 min in
152.1 km remaining
+3636 m remaining
Access
16.7 km
Unter den Steinen
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 4h 16m in
135.4 km remaining
+3122 m remaining
Access
17.0 km
Gewerbegebiet
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 4h 21m in
135.1 km remaining
+3122 m remaining
Climb
18.8 km
320 m climb
5.2 km at 6.2% average
Rothaarsteig official · source 2026-08-26
About 4h 49m in
133.3 km remaining
+3076 m remaining
Access
19.1 km
Zur Schanze
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 4h 53m in
133.0 km remaining
+3076 m remaining
Access
41.4 km
Wernsdorfer Straße
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 10h 35m in
110.7 km remaining
+2355 m remaining
Finish
152.1 km
Dillenburg
Finish
Route geometry · source 2026-08-26
About 38h 55m in
0 m remaining
Stage Directory
Browse the stages — swipe to compare
Brilon → Bruchhausen
Bruchhausen → Winterberg
Winterberg → Hoheleye
Hoheleye → Rhein-Weser-Turm
Rhein-Weser-Turm → Siegquelle
Siegquelle → Steinbach
Steinbach → Dillenburg
| # | Stage | Distance | Ascent | Time | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brilon → Bruchhausen | 17 km | +560m | 4h 37m | 🚌 |
| 2 | Bruchhausen → Winterberg | 25.2 km | +684m | 6h 30m | 🚌 |
| 3 | Winterberg → Hoheleye | 12.1 km | +339m | 3h 09m | 🚌 |
| 4 | Hoheleye → Rhein-Weser-Turm | 26.8 km | +552m | 6h 38m | 🚌 |
| 5 | Rhein-Weser-Turm → Siegquelle | 27.2 km | +623m | 6h 54m | 🚌 |
| 6 | Siegquelle → Steinbach | 27.2 km | +479m | 6h 38m | 🚌 |
| 7 | Steinbach → Dillenburg | 16.7 km | +416m | 4h 26m | 🚌 |
| Total | 152.1 km | +3,636m | 38h 54m |
Draft day-by-day itinerary
Rothaarsteig grouped at mapped section boundaries. Overnight accommodation and access are not verified. Review each day's effort and book suitable stops before using this as a hiking plan.
5 days in this draft — about 30.4 km/day, 152.2 km and 3,653 m of ascent total.
- Day 1 Stage 117 km · +560 m · ~4h 36m
- 1. Brilon → Bruchhausen 17 km · +560 m
🚌 Nearby transit: Gewerbegebiet (not an accommodation recommendation)
- Day 2 Stages 2–337.3 km · +1,023 m · ~9h 42m
- 2. Bruchhausen → Winterberg 25.2 km · +684 m
- 3. Winterberg → Hoheleye 12.1 km · +339 m
🚌 Nearby transit: Schmelzhütte (not an accommodation recommendation)
- Day 3 Stage 426.8 km · +552 m · ~6h 36m
- 4. Hoheleye → Rhein-Weser-Turm 26.8 km · +552 m
🚌 Nearby transit: Rhein-Weser-Turm (not an accommodation recommendation)
- Day 4 Stage 527.2 km · +623 m · ~6h 54m
- 5. Rhein-Weser-Turm → Siegquelle 27.2 km · +623 m
🚌 Nearby transit: Siegquelle (not an accommodation recommendation)
- Day 5 Stages 6–743.9 km · +895 m · ~11h 06m
- 6. Siegquelle → Steinbach 27.2 km · +479 m
- 7. Steinbach → Dillenburg 16.7 km · +416 m
🚌 Nearby transit: Hammerberg (not an accommodation recommendation)
Want a downloadable GPX for each day, or a different number of days? Open the Multi-Day Itinerary Builder →
How Long Does It Take?
Comfortable pace with time to enjoy the scenery. 8 days.
Elevation Profile
Transit Stops Along the Trail
Bus and train stops within 2 km of the trail, sorted by distance along the route. Tap a stop to see it on the trail map or get directions.
Rothaarsteig is a 152 km long-distance hiking trail in Germany. This guide includes 7 suggested planning stages with route access, distance, elevation and a separate GPX for each day.
Rothaarsteig — frequently asked questions
How long is Rothaarsteig?
Rothaarsteig is a 152 km long-distance route from Brilon to Dillenburg, presented as 7 stages with map, full GPX download, elevation profile, Planner handoff, and public transport on every stage.
How many days do you need for Rothaarsteig?
The distance-based examples cover 4-8 days for 152 km. They are not verified overnight itineraries. Choose days around your ability, ascent, accommodation and current conditions, not distance alone.
When is the best time to hike Rothaarsteig?
Based on 1991–2020 climate averages, the weather on Rothaarsteig is usually best from April to October. Hut, transport and park seasons are separate: check them and current conditions for your dates.
Can you reach Rothaarsteig by public transport?
This page lists public transport on every stage in Germany as planning references. Nearby stops do not guarantee a walkable connection. Check access paths, operating dates and current timetables before relying on public transport.
Can I download GPX files for Rothaarsteig?
Yes. TrailSplits has a full GPX and 7 stage GPX downloads for Rothaarsteig — load them on a Garmin, Suunto, COROS, or your phone, or open any stage in the Planner.
How hard is Rothaarsteig?
Rothaarsteig is rated epic: 152 km with roughly 3,636 m of total ascent, with a high point near 846 m. The elevation profile, per-stage climb, and surface breakdown on this page help you judge each section.
Ready to hike Rothaarsteig?
Pick your first stage below and download the GPX. Every stage includes transit notes.
More long-distance trails to explore
🗂️ Open data source: Rothaarsteig on OpenStreetMap (relations 18397582, 18397581, 18397580). Transit stops from OSM. Official site: https://www.rothaarsteig.de.