Recommendations for Hikers and Cyclists During Periods of High Forest Fire Risk in the Sauerland

The Sauerland region is characterized by extensive forests, mountain ranges, and trails that are sometimes remote. During prolonged dry spells, fires can spread rapidly due to wind and the sloping terrain. The risk can be significantly reduced by planning your hike appropriately and taking the right precautions.

Before Your Hike

• Before setting out, it’s advisable to check the German Weather Service’s wildfire danger index. It ranges from Level 1 to 5. Additionally, you should take into account advisories from the relevant city or municipality, the county, and Wald und Holz NRW, as local assessments may vary.
• At danger level 5, shorter routes along the forest edge or hikes through more open landscapes can be a good alternative to remote forest and high-altitude trails.
• Current closures and detours should be factored into your planning. This applies especially to heavily forested routes in the Rothaar Mountains as well as on well-known long-distance trails such as the Rothaarsteig, the Sauerland-Waldroute, or the Sauerland-Höhenflug.

Out and About in the Sauerland

• Marked hiking and biking trails provide the best guidance. Closures and notices from forestry officials, the fire department, or local authorities should be heeded even if they make your planned route longer.
• Forest trails, barriers, and access roads must remain clear to allow fire and emergency services to reach the scene. 
• Smoking, barbecuing, and open fires are strictly prohibited. In North Rhine-Westfalen, a legal ban on smoking in the forest is in effect from March 1 through October 31. Furthermore, fires and barbecue grills are generally permitted in the forest and within 100 meters of the forest edge only at appropriately authorized facilities.
• Trash and potential ignition sources must be taken home with you.
• Those arriving by car should use only designated or paved parking areas. Hot vehicle parts can ignite dry vegetation.
• The smell of smoke, unusual haze, or a column of rising smoke are reasons to carefully check your surroundings and, if necessary, cut your hike short.

If smoke or fire is visible

• Smoke and fires should be reported as early as possible by calling the emergency number 112.
• It is helpful to provide precise details about the location, the visible size of the fire, the amount of smoke, and the possible direction of spread.
• Throughout almost the entire Sauerland region and along the long-distance hiking trails, there are emergency points or green-and-white emergency signs. The identification number listed there allows the dispatch center to quickly pinpoint the location.
• Alternatively, you can provide GPS coordinates, the last trail marker, a hiking parking lot, a shelter, or other landmarks.
• You should not attempt to fight a large or spreading fire yourself. The priority is to retreat early to a smoke-free area with as little vegetation as possible.
• Instructions from the fire department, police, forestry personnel, or park rangers provide the most reliable guidance in this situation.

Good to know:

A hike in the Sauerland doesn’t necessarily have to be canceled if the wildfire risk is very high. A shorter route outside dense forest areas, near towns, and with several exit options can be a suitable alternative. However, if there are official closures or noticeable smoke, rerouting or canceling the hike is the safer decision.

We would like to thank the many volunteers—including those from our fire departments and other emergency response organizations in the Sauerland—for their tremendous efforts in fighting the current wildfires!