recommended route
Wisentpfad (Bison Trail) - Rothaarsteig Trail
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Wisente auf LichtungPhoto: CC BY-SA, Wisent-Welt
Bison can be seen roaming free in Wittgenstein and are the inspiration for the 13.5 kilometre long “Wisentpfad” (Bison Path) hiking trail in Wingeshausen.
Thanks to a nature conservation project that is unique in Western Europe, the robust animals have been living in the Rothaar Mountains since 2013 and roam free through the forests of the Royal Family of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
The Wisentpfad (Bison Path) leads over soft, sometimes very narrow forest trails and invites you to go on a tour of discovery. Small wooden panels branded with bison lead through diverse forests to the Rothaar Ridge.
The “Wisent-Wildnis am Rothaarsteig” (Bison Wilderness on the Rothaarsteig) offers a special insight. A second herd of bison is at home there. The Wisent-Pfad (Bison Path) runs from Wingeshausen via the Rotharr Ridge to Schmallenberg-Jagdhaus through the picturesque Ihrige and Pfade valleys in the Bockeshorntal valley back to Wingeshausen.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Rest stops
Wisent-HütteSafety information
Wisente am Rothaarsteig - Tips on behaviour
Unlikely but possible: free-roaming bison are living in Siegen-Wittgenstein and the bordering Sauerland once again. Bison are not dangerous and as a rule you won’t even see them. Nevertheless, you should stay a safe distance away from the wild animals and should not disturb them!
Information on the rescue boards on the Rothaarsteig
Hiking trails are usually far from communities and settlements and every hiker has worried at some time about what would happen if there was an emergency. How can I be found here? Where am I? Can I contact the rescue service?
In serious cases, however, this has to happen quickly! Because of this, so-called rescue signs have been installed all along the Rotharrsteig. The green and white plaques that have been attached to the signposts show the number you have to give when making your emergency call. This tells the rescuers exactly where you are, allowing valuable time to be saved.
Tips and hints
Refreshments along the route:
- Sonnenhof Wingeshausen
- Wisent Hut
- Hotel Jagdhaus Wiese
- Schäferhof Jagdhaus
- Forellenhof Wingeshausen
Next Information:
- Tourist Information Bad Berleburg
Goetheplatz 3
57319 Bad Berleburg
Tel. +49 2751 9363-3
Fax +49 2751 9363-43
info@blb-tourismus.de
www.blb-tourismus.de
- Rothaarsteig Association e.V.
www.rothaarsteig.de
Free service hotline: +49 2974 4994163
- Wisent-Welt-Wittgenstein
www.wisent-welt.de
Marking: three markings (a bison fired in wood, the black R, logo of the world of wisps on a white background)
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The start and destination is the “Sonnenhof” restaurant above Wingeshausen. Three symbols mark the route: a wisent burnt into wood, a black “R” and the Wisent World logo against a white background. The first stage of the route up to the Wisent World already offers a wide variety of landscapes. It consists of soft forest paths and narrow trails that have been specially laid, and which are also of interest for young hikers and nature explorers. Along the way, you follow a route that leads to the Rothaarsteig hiking trail. After around six kilometres, you reach the Wisent World. From here, follow the three kilometre-long circular route in the viewing enclosure - in the tracks of the largest land mammal living in Europe, the wisent. The viewing enclosure looks nothing like a wildlife park. You climb over tree trunks and rock formations and cross streams. Now, hike back to the “Wisent path” Rothaarsteig track, which takes you back to Aue-Wingeshausen. First, a short stretch takes you towards the hunting lodge via the Rothaarsteig trail. From the hunting lodge, turn off to the right and descend into the valley, past a large meadow, an open space created by the “Kyrill” storm and a burbling stream. At the picnic area in Bockeshorn, the path takes you through a meadow and along the Bortlingbach stream to the Forellenhof (trout farm), where you return to the “Sonnenhof”.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Train:Bad Berleburg-Aue Train Station, approx. 800 m from there on foot to the Westertal car park
Bus:
Kappler Mühle bus stop, 57319 Bad Berleburg-Wingeshausen, approx. 200 m from there on foot to the Westertal car park
By road
Coming from Bad Berleburg or Erndtebrück via the L553 to the centre of Aue, then via the K42 in the direction of Wingeshausen/Jagdhaus, coming from Schmallenberg via the K42 until the end of Wingeshausen; Alternatively: Wisent-Wildnis car park, Weidiger WegBy car: An der Bracht 50, 57319 Bad Berleburg; Weidiger Weg 100, 57319 Bad Berleburg
Parking
Parkeerplaats Westertal bij het sportveld, Casimirstaler Weg 1 in D-57319 Bad Berleburg-Wingeshausen.Parkeren bij de Sonnenhof, An der Bracht 50, D-57319 Bad Berleburg, hier staan voldoende gratis parkeerplaatsen ter beschikking
Parkeren bij de wisenten-wildernis/wisenten-hut - Weidinger Weg 100, D-57319 Bad Berleburg - hier staan voldoende gratis parkeerplaatsen ter beschikking
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Sturdy shoes, weatherproof clothing and sufficient food and drink are recommended for a hike on the Wisent path.Related Offers
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- 21 Waypoints
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