Rothaarsteig Trail – Grönebacher Dorfpfad (T)

#deinsauerland / Neusta Touren / Rothaarsteig Trail – Grönebacher Dorfpfad (T)

Grönebach /

The Grönebacher Dorfpfad largely circles the picturesque village along trails and offers many scenic views. It has been designated a “Quality Trail” by the Hiking Association.

Tour starting point:

Hiking information center at the Küstelberg Straße parking lot

Tour destination point:

Hiking Information Center at the Küstelberg Straße Parking Lot

Properties:

Culturally interesting
Place to Stop for a Refreshment
Circular Trail

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 help you plan your personal hiking itinerary.

The Winterberg hiking map provides the perfect guide for your next hike. You’ll find many more tips and information about hiking in Winterberg here, as well as an overview of particularly hiker-friendly establishments in Winterberg where you’ll be in good hands.

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Length

10.7 km

Duration

2:45 h

Elevation ascent

218 m

Elevation descent

219 m

Lowest point

568 m

Highest point

678 m

Condition

Difficulty

Recommended seasons

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

The Grönebacher Dorfpfad largely follows paths around the picturesque village and offers many scenic views. It has been designated a "Quality Trail" by the Hiking Association.

Information

Directions

From the trail sign at the Küstelberg Straße parking lot, we turn right and hike uphill along a grassy path to the country road. We walk about 100 m to the left along the road and then uphill to the “Schlade” recreation area. An old royal road once ran through here.Old Royal Road The Old Royal Road, which ran from Frankfurt to Soest, crossed the Heidenstraße in Winterberg. Its oldest route led through Grönebach up to Neuer Hagen and continued northward. Later, it was rerouted into the Ruhrtal as the so-called “Alte Landstraße” (OldCountryRoad) or “Sauerländer Weg” (Sauerland Trail). Two sunken-road-like terraces have been preserved here over a length of about 200 m.We follow the Old Royal Road uphill to a bench offering a beautiful view of the Westernau Valley. We continue hiking to the right along the edge of the forest and then straight ahead, enjoying a great view of the Hildfeld-Grönebach-Küstelberg “valley landscape.” We hike through the picturesque Hachmecketal valley, always following the stream, down into the Hilletal valley to the former Strickmühle mill. Passing a tree nursery, we reach the Grönebach-Niedersfeld country road. We keep to the left for about 50 m and, at Haus Sander, come upon the old railway embankment of the former Steinhelle-Medebach narrow-gauge railway. Steinhelle-Medebach Narrow-Gauge RailwayFrom 1902 to 1953, a narrow-gauge railway ran from Steinhelle to Medebach. Increasing road traffic and declining freight volumes led to its closure after a little over 50 years of operation. The railroad embankment is well-preserved in the Hilletal valley.Now we follow the narrow-gauge tracks along the old railroad embankment to the right—past the sports field—to the Hille Bridge with its staggered round arches. First to the right, then steeply uphill to the left, we reach the tracks of the old “Iäselpoad.” IäselpoadThis old path led from Küstelberg to what was then the Strickmühle mill. Grain was transported from Küstelberg to the mill on donkeys’ backs and ground there. Local historians have cleared about 150 meters of the Iäselpoad, making it passable again.So we hike to the right along the Iäselpoad, cross a paved dirt road, and reach the Grönebacher Steinacker via a lovely grassy path . With the village and its church tower always in sight, we head uphill through an old sunken path and continue to the right along the slope of the Mosenberg until we reach the Antoniusstein. Antoniusstein from 1731The Grönebach Antoniusstein dates from 1731, while the one in Hildfeld dates from 1704. St. Anthony of Padua is particularly venerated in the Sauerland region. Candles burn day and night in front of the wayside shrine, which has been protected by a small stone chapel since 1958.We follow the signs to the right, downhill into the Springetal valley to the country road, and then uphill to the lookout point on the Egge (680 m). This is the highest point of the Grönebacher Dorfpfad. On the other side of the mountain, the trail descends into the Westernau Valley and continues to the left toward the “Ruipes-Ropes-Hütte” with a large rest area at the Entenwiese. A beautiful path takes us—past the soccer field and the village fountain—back to Grönebach.

Equipment

The Rothaarsteig follows numerous nature trails away from agricultural and forest roads. That’s why weatherproof clothing and sturdy footwear are a must for every hike. After all, we want you to experience the “Path of the Senses” not only “dry” but also on “firm footing.”

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 German outdoor equipment manufacturer Tatonka.

Hiking Backpack

With the right hiking backpack, your tour on the Rothaarsteig will be twice as much fun! Hiking backpacks offer excellent 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.

Rain Gear

If changeable weather is forecast for your hike on the Rothaarsteig, remember to pack a lightweight rain jacket or a rain poncho. They take up virtually no space in your backpack and also keep out unpleasant wind. Gaiters are also practical, as they protect your pant legs from dirt and moisture.

At our partner, the German outdoor gear manufacturer Tatonka, you’ll find high-quality, breathable rain jackets that pack down to a minimal size, lightweight rain capes, and gaiters for your pant legs to keep them protected from dirt and moisture.

Here you’ll find Tatonka’s rain jackets for women.

You can find Tatonka’s rain jackets for men here.

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 or minor injuries.

The first-aid kits from the German outdoor gear manufacturer Tatonka 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 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 drinks, especially for these sections. Having enough drinks is particularly important in the summer.

The stainless-steel bottles, stainless-steel insulated pitchers, and stainless-steel lunch boxes from the German outdoor gear manufacturer Tatonka are not only practical but also unbreakable and durable.

Safety guidelines

Information About the Emergency Signs on the Rothaarsteig

Hiking trails usually run away from towns and settlements, and every hiker has 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, time 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 your emergency call. This allows emergency responders to know exactly where you are, saving valuable time.

Notice Regarding Increased Forest Fire Risk

Please be aware that due to 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!

Bison and Wildlife on the Rothaarsteig—Behavioral Tips

Many species of wildlife live in the forests along the Rothaarsteig. You may encounter red deer, wild boars, mouflon, and, more recently, bison. You may encounter bison along the Rothaarsteig between Albrechtsplatz and Dreiherrenstein.

The risks that bison pose to the average hiker are low and can be reduced to an absolute minimum by behaving appropriately and respectfully.

Walk calmly and unobtrusively past the animals at a safe distance; do not startle them, and do not look them directly in the eyes.

If the animals approach you, remain calm, do not turn your back on them, and leave the area without panicking, but always keeping the animal in sight.

If the animals come within a distance that makes you feel uncomfortable, shout loudly, whistle, or make yourself heard in some other way. Watch out for threatening gestures!

When sows “clack their teeth” or bison lower their heads, they are expecting you to retreat. Step back!

If you have a dog with you, keep it under control on a leash. If an animal attacks your dog, let it off the leash! The dog is faster and more agile than you and will definitely find you again!

Author Tip

The Eggekreuz is worth a quick detour.

Literature

To help you prepare for your hike, we’d be happy to send you our free information packet. At rothaarsteig.de/prospekte, you can easily select the information you need. Our Rothaarsteig guidebook—which lists accommodations along the trail and provides other useful information—is a great companion for any hike.

Maps

In our brochure “Rothaarsteig Trails—All Circular Hiking Trails at a Glance,” you’ll find map excerpts and brief descriptions for all 13 circular hiking trails, as well as a map of the Breitscheid Cave Tour. It also features the other 12 Rothaarsteig Trails, complete with maps, brief descriptions, and the most scenic rest stops along the route. At rothaarsteig.de/prospekte, you can easily order the booklet to be delivered to your home free of charge or view it online as a PDF or flipbook.

We also recommend our Rothaarsteig Trails Hiking Passport. Anyone who has hiked 8 of the 13 trails will receive a hiking certificate and a Rothaarsteig pin, and will be entered into our annual raffle. You can also easily order the hiking pass to be delivered to your home for free at rothaarsteig.de/prospekte or download it directly online.

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 shelters, parking lots, bus stops, and much more—from rothaarsteig.de/shop for 11.00 euros with free shipping, conveniently delivered right to your door.