MTB Portal Hilchenbach (9): Three-Country Route

On this route, you follow the Rothaar Mountains northwards. In Grafschaft, a detour to Schmallenberg with its typical half-timbered village scenery is worthwhile. From here, you cross the main ridge of the Rothaar Mountains and repeatedly encounter art objects along the way. Passing the castle in Bad Berleburg, you follow the Eder to Erndtebrück to return to Hilchenbach via the mountain ridge. Places to stop: Hilchenbach Market Square, many options along the route, e.g. in Grafschaft, Bad Berleburg, Erndtebrück

Be prepared for unforeseeable situations: tools, sufficient provisions, weather changes, and first aid kit. Wear safety equipment! A helmet can protect but is not a life insurance.

Arrival by car

From Gießen (A 45): At the Siegen exit, first turn onto the B 62 towards Kreuztal/Siegen, then onto the B 54

Merge towards Kreuztal/Netphen/Siegen. Follow the route until the Kreuztal/Stadtmitte/Olpe/Hilchenbach exit

(B 508). Follow the B 508 to Hilchenbach.

From Dortmund (A 45): At the Olpe-Süd motorway junction, change to the A 4 towards Wenden/Kreuztal.

Follow the route. At the Kreuztal/Stadtmitte/Olpe/Hilchenbach exit, turn onto the B 508. Follow the B 508 to

Hilchenbach.

From Cologne (A 4): At the Olpe-Süd motorway junction, continue on the A 4 towards Wenden/Kreuztal. At the

Kreuztal/Stadtmitte/Olpe/Hilchenbach exit, turn onto the B 508. Follow the B 508 to Hilchenbach.

In Hilchenbach near the market square:

- In der Herrenwiese (opposite the fire station, In der Herrenwiese 10)

- Rothenberger Str. (opposite house number 10)

Train

Long-distance/Regional traffic

Essen – Hagen – Siegen (RE 16 "Ruhr-Sieg-Express", hourly)

Hagen – Finnentrop – Siegen (RB 91 "Ruhr-Sieg-Bahn", every two hours)

Cologne – Siegen (RE 9 "Rhein-Sieg-Express", hourly)

Frankfurt – Siegen (RE 40, every two hours)

Local traffic

Siegen – Kreuztal – Hilchenbach (RB 93 "Rothaarbahn")

Timings: weekdays hourly, Saturday afternoons from 6 p.m., and Sundays every two hours;

From Bad Laasphe, Biedenkopf, and Marburg connection possibility in Erndtebrück with the "Upper Lahntalbahn" (RB 94) every two hours

Further information: www.bahn.de

Bus

Westfalen-Süd Transport Association on the routes

- Siegen – Kreuztal – Hilchenbach – Helberhausen (R 11)

- Netphen – Dreis-Tiefenbach – Eckmannshausen – Herzhausen – Hilchenbach (R 20)

- Lennestadt-Altenhundem – Hilchenbach (R 92)

- Dahlbruch – Müsen (L 170)

- Ruckersfeld – Oechelhausen – Vormwald – Grund – Allenbach – Hilchenbach (T 171)

- Hilchenbach – Siedlung – Vormwald – Helberhausen (T 172)

BRS Busverkehr Ruhr-Sieg GmbH on the routes:

Siegen - Hilchenbach - Erndtebrück - Bad Berleburg (60)

Lennestadt-Altenhundem - Hilchenbach - Erndtebrück (76)

Hilchenbach - Bad Laasphe - Biedenkopf (975)

A detour into the town center of Schmallenberg and a visit to Bad Berleburg Castle are definitely worthwhile.

Check your equipment and assess your abilities correctly. Bad weather or a breakdown can significantly lengthen the route. Hilchenbach is located in the forest-richest district of Germany. Due to active forestry, path changes may occur.

Leave your route plan at home or at your accommodation before departure.

Adhering to the DIMB Trailrules (German Mountainbike Initiative) helps protect nature and improves coexistence in the forest and on the mountain. Please note:

1. Ride only on paths
2. Leave no traces
3. Keep your mountain bike under control
4. Respect other nature users
5. Consider animals
6. Plan ahead
FAIR ON TRAILS! Enjoy and preserve nature – together!

Observe the state forest law for North Rhine-Westphalia, which contains important regulations for entering the forest.

The route is not marked on the maps. The maps can serve as orientation and for alternative planning (all relevant maps for the MTB portal).

- Hilchenbach hiking map (1:25,000), available at the Hilchenbach Tourist Information (www.hilchenbachtourist.de)

- Kreuztal hiking map (1:25,000), available at the Hilchenbach Tourist Information (www.hilchenbachtourist.de)

- Netphen hiking map (1:25,000), available at the local bookstore (e.g. www.buecherbuyeva.de, Rothenberger Str. 23, Hilchenbach)

- Lennestadt/Kirchhundem hiking map (1:25,000), available at the Hilchenbach Tourist Information (www.hilchenbachtourist.de)

- Wittgenstein hiking map (1:50,000), available at the local bookstore (e.g. www.buecherbuyeva.de, Rothenberger Str. 23, Hilchenbach)

- Rothaarsteig hiking map (1:50,000), available at the Hilchenbach Tourist Information (www.hilchenbachtourist.de)

- Wilnsdorf hiking map (1:25,000), available at the local bookstore (e.g. www.buecherbuyeva.de, Rothenberger Str. 23, Hilchenbach)

- Burbach hiking map (1:25,000), available at the local bookstore (e.g. www.buecherbuyeva.de, Rothenberger Str. 23, Hilchenbach)