European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen (south)

The European Long Distance Path E1 — Nordrhein-Westfalen south is a point-to-point trail through Germany's Sauerland highlands, covering approximately 170 km across 8 stages with around 4,250 m of cumulative elevation gain. Rated moderate to challenging, it forms the most dramatically hilly section of the E1 in Germany, traversing the Rothaargebirge — North Rhine-Westphalia's highest terrain — through ancient beech forests and open ridge tops.

About the European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen (south)

The E1 is one of Europe's 12 official long-distance paths, stretching roughly 7,000 km from the North Cape of Norway to Sicily, Italy. In Germany alone the route covers nearly 1,900 km across 76 stages, making it the country's longest continuously marked footpath. The Nordrhein-Westfalen south section — running from the Sauerland market town of Meschede down to the Siegerland hills near Kreuztal — belongs to the European Ramblers Association's International Walking Network (IWN) and is maintained jointly by the ERA and local German Wandervereine (walking clubs).

Across this stretch the landscape shifts dramatically. North of Schmallenberg the trail descends into the wide Ruhr and Lenne valleys before climbing steeply into the Rothaargebirge massif, a forested upland plateau where ridgelines exceed 800 m. The highest peak in all of North Rhine-Westphalia — the Langenberg at 843 m — lies within a few kilometres of the route. South of Winterberg the trail drops into the Wittgenstein district, a quieter, less-visited stretch of slate-roofed villages, Calvinist churches and narrow Eder tributary valleys.

Waymarking throughout is reliable. The majority of the NRW south section carries the distinctive E1 blaze — a white St. Andrew's cross (X) on a black background — supplemented by the red-and-white diamonds of the Rothaarsteig long-distance trail where the two routes overlap for approximately 45 km between Schmallenberg and Bad Berleburg. This overlap means hikers benefit from excellent infrastructure: distance boards, water points and emergency reference posts every few kilometres.

The surface varies from sealed forest roads (roughly 15 %) to compacted gravel tracks (50 %) and root-laced natural footpaths (35 %). After heavy rainfall, clay sections in the Wittgenstein valley can become slippery; waterproof footwear is advisable year-round. Accommodation density is high by long-distance standards — within each stage there are typically three or four guesthouses accepting walkers without prior booking outside of August bank-holiday weekends.

The trail is entirely linear with no circular option. Most hikers walk it southward from Meschede to Kreuztal, following the overall direction of the parent E1 route, though the section works equally well in reverse. Before setting off, understanding your daily calorie needs on the trail will make provisioning each stage significantly easier, particularly on stage 6 where 19 km pass without a shop.

Route Overview & Stages

The following 8 stages follow the standard E1 stage plan for Nordrhein-Westfalen south, as documented on the hiking-europe.eu E1 Germany guide. Stage distances are calculated for the full marked path; shortcuts reduce distances by 3–8 km per stage but sacrifice the ridge-top panoramas the route is known for. Total route distance is approximately 160 km with 4,250 m cumulative elevation gain.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Kahler Asten (841 m), Winterberg — The highest peak in Sauerland, crowned by a historic weather station and observation tower operational since 1870. On clear days the panorama reaches the Taunus hills 150 km to the south. The approach from Neuastenberg via Stage 3 passes directly below the summit ridge, with a signed 400 m detour to the top.
• Arnsberger Wald Nature Park — The northern gateway to this section is framed by the 67,000-hectare Arnsberger Wald, one of NRW's largest protected forest areas. Ancient oak and beech stands here are designated Natura 2000 habitat; black stork nesting sites are present in spring, and the park hosts one of Germany's largest populations of European wildcat.
• Schmallenberg Old Town — A compact Hanseatic market town with a medieval grain market and half-timbered facades from the 15th century. The weekly Thursday market sells local Sauerland cheeses and smoked meats useful for trail provisioning. The town tourist office stocks the most up-to-date printed stage maps for the E1 section.
• Rothaarsteig Overlap (Stages 2–5) — For roughly 45 km the E1 shares its course with the Rothaarsteig, one of Germany's 25 quality-certified premium Wanderwege. This overlap brings denser infrastructure: wooden rest shelters every 5–7 km, distance markers in both directions and reliable mobile signal coverage even in the deepest forest sections.
• Diemel River Source, near Hallenberg — The E1 passes within 2 km of the documented source of the Diemel river at approximately 550 m elevation — an easily missed but rewarding 20-minute detour from Stage 4. The upper Diemel valley is a designated Natura 2000 site, significant for its Atlantic salmon habitat and pristine water quality.
• Bad Berleburg Schloss — The ancestral seat of the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg family, continuously occupied since the 12th century and one of the most complete medieval Schloss complexes in Westphalia. The castle's surrounding park is freely accessible to passing walkers, and the estate overlooks the Eder valley from a commanding ridge above the town.
• Siegerland Iron Heritage, Hilchenbach — The Siegerland was one of Europe's most important iron-smelting regions from the 16th to the early 20th century. Around Hilchenbach, decommissioned hammer mills (Hammerwerke) and slag heaps are now heritage-listed industrial landscapes sitting directly alongside the trail, offering an unexpected contrast to the surrounding forest.
• Wittgensteiner Bergland Beech Forest — The quietest stretch of the entire NRW south section, between Bad Berleburg and Feudingen, crosses centuries-old managed beech forest (Buchenwald) with no through roads for 12 km. Red deer sightings are common at dawn and dusk, and the soundscape — wind in the canopy, no traffic — is a sharp contrast to the busier Sauerland stages.

Best Time to Hike the European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen (south)

The NRW south section is walkable from April through October. Each month brings different trade-offs:

April–May: Temperatures average 8–16 °C at valley level and 4–10 °C on the Rothaargebirge plateau. The forest floor erupts with wood anemones and wild garlic (Bärlauch); watercourses run full. Trail surfaces can be muddy through late April, and some forest tracks remain soft after snowmelt above 600 m. Daylight exceeds 14 hours by mid-May, making late starts practical.

June–July: Peak hiking season. Daytime highs reach 18–24 °C in the uplands; valley stages in the Eder and Lenne can feel noticeably warmer. Daylight exceeds 16 hours, allowing longer daily distances. Accommodation fills quickly in Winterberg and Schmallenberg — book 2–3 weeks ahead for July weekends.

August: The warmest month, with valley temperatures of 22–26 °C. School-holiday pressure on guesthouses peaks in the first two weeks. Afternoon thunderstorm frequency increases across the Rothaargebirge; check the DWD (German Weather Service) forecast daily and aim to complete open ridge stages before 14:00.

September — the single best month: Temperatures cool to a comfortable 14–20 °C, tourist pressure drops sharply after the first week, and early autumn colour begins in the beech forest from mid-month. Trail surfaces are firm and dry following summer. As of 2026, September combines the lowest rain probability of the hiking season with full trail and accommodation availability across all 8 stages.

October: Autumn colour reaches its peak in the first two weeks, making the forested stages between Schmallenberg and Bad Berleburg particularly photogenic. Nights drop below 5 °C above 600 m from mid-October; pack a reliable insulating layer. Most guesthouses remain open through October, though some reduce services after the third week.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The NRW south section benefits from Germany's dense network of family-run Gasthäuser (guesthouses). Expect to pay €50–80 per person per night for bed and breakfast in the Sauerland stages, and €45–65 in the quieter Wittgenstein and Siegerland stages further south.

Two DJH (German Youth Hostels Association) hostels lie close to the route: the Jugendherberge Winterberg and Jugendherberge Schmallenberg, both accredited for multi-day hikers, offering dormitory beds from €25 per night including breakfast for DJH members (non-member surcharge: €7 per night). Online booking opens 6 months in advance.

Wild camping is not permitted within NRW's nature parks without specific landowner authorisation. Designated Zeltplätze (campsites) exist in Schmallenberg, Bad Berleburg and near Kreuztal, with pitches from €8–12 per person per night. The Rothaarsteig trail's free Wanderunterkünfte shelters at Neuastenberg and Hallenberg sleep a maximum of 8 hikers on a strict first-come, first-served basis.

Getting There & Back

The northern trailhead at Meschede is served by the Sauerland-Bahn regional train (line RB51) with direct services from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof (journey time: 75 minutes; trains every 2 hours). Dortmund Airport (DTM) is 85 km from Meschede, with a regional bus connecting DTM to Dortmund Hbf in 35 minutes.

The southern trailhead at Kreuztal is served by the Siegstrecke (RE 99) with direct trains to Siegen (10 minutes) and onward connections to Cologne (1 hr 40 min) and Frankfurt (2 hrs). Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the most practical international gateway for hikers finishing in Kreuztal, approximately 90 km distant by train via Siegen.

For car logistics, leaving a vehicle at Meschede Bahnhof (free parking, 72-hour limit) and catching the train back from Kreuztal via Siegen and Dortmund takes under 2 hours door-to-door — a clean shuttle solution for independent hikers.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike the E1 in Nordrhein-Westfalen. The route crosses three designated nature parks — Arnsberger Wald, Rothaargebirge and Sauerland-Rothaargebirge — all of which permit day hiking and long-distance walking without charge. Stay on marked paths when passing through Natura 2000 protected zones (shown with green hatching on 1:25,000 NRW topographic maps) to comply with NRW nature conservation regulations. Photography for personal use is unrestricted throughout the route.

Gear & Packing List

The E1 NRW south section's 8 stages demand a balanced kit: enough volume for 2–3 days of supplies between resupply points, but light enough for daily cumulative climbs of 400–640 m. For a detailed comparison of top-rated options, see the Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 review.

Backpack: A 50–65 L pack suits most hikers using guesthouses and carrying 2 nights of supplies. The Osprey Aether 65 is a proven choice for week-long mountain routes; its load-lifter harness handles the Rothaargebirge climbs effectively. German hikers frequently choose the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 — engineered for NRW-style ridge hiking — for its back ventilation and padded hip belt on long descent days. For a lighter setup, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 saves approximately 300 g versus the Core and is sufficient for hikers who skip free camping entirely.

Footwear: Mid-cut waterproof boots with a Vibram or equivalent lug sole. The route's clay descents after rain demand proper ankle support; trail runners are adequate only in dry July–August conditions when the Rothaargebirge surface dries fully between showers.

Rain gear: Sauerland averages 1,000–1,200 mm of annual rainfall distributed across all months. A waterproof hardshell jacket and pack cover are non-negotiable; lightweight rain trousers preserve comfort through the wetter valley stages. A mid-layer fleece handles the 4–10 °C Rothaargebirge plateau temperatures in spring and autumn.

Navigation: The E1 is reliably signed throughout, but download the relevant 1:25,000 NRW topographic map tiles offline before each stage. Mobile signal drops in the Wittgenstein valley forest between Bad Berleburg and Feudingen (Stage 6), where no mobile mast coverage exists for approximately 9 km.

Food and water: Resupply points at Schmallenberg, Winterberg, Bad Berleburg and Hilchenbach each have supermarkets open Monday–Saturday. Carry 1.5 days of emergency rations. Natural water sources are abundant in the Rothaargebirge but should be treated before drinking; a lightweight filter or purification tablets add minimal weight.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the E1 NRW south section appeals to you, these related long-distance routes are worth exploring. The parallel Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8 in Nordrhein-Westfalen and the E8 in Rheinland-Pfalz follow Germany's river valleys southward toward the Rhine, offering a lower-elevation alternative with more riverside walking. For a completely different European long-distance experience, the dramatic mountain crossing of the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania provides a compelling contrast to NRW's forested hills. Further east in Germany, the Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11 in Sachsen-Anhalt (west), E11 Sachsen-Anhalt (east) and E11 in Brandenburg traverse lowland heaths and Elbe floodplains — a very different pace and character from the Sauerland's relentless hills.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to hike the E1 NRW south section?
September is the single best month. Temperatures settle between 14–20 °C, tourist pressure drops sharply after the first week, and autumn colour begins in the beech forests from mid-month. Trail surfaces are firm and dry after summer. The section is walkable April through October; avoid the Rothaargebirge plateau in winter, as significant snow accumulates above 600 m from December through March and the E1 is not maintained for winter hiking.

How difficult is the E1 in Nordrhein-Westfalen south?
The trail is rated moderate to challenging. Elevation profiles are unrelenting through the Rothaargebirge stages (2–5), with daily gains of 520–640 m and matching descents. Hikers comfortable with 20–23 km days on hilly terrain will find the route manageable. The southern stages (6–8) are easier with shorter climbs, but clay descents in the Wittgenstein valley become technical after heavy rain, requiring good grip and ankle support.

How many kilometres per day should I plan?
The standard 8-stage plan averages 20 km per day with approximately 530 m of daily elevation gain; budget 6–8 hours of walking time per stage including short breaks. Strong hikers sometimes combine stages 7 and 8 into a single long day (37 km total). Most hikers find 8 days comfortable, with an optional rest day in Winterberg breaking the most demanding mid-route stretch between Schmallenberg and Hallenberg.

What accommodation is available on the route?
Family-run Gasthäuser at €50–80 per person per night are the backbone of trail accommodation. Two DJH youth hostels in Winterberg and Schmallenberg offer budget options from €25 per night (members). Designated campsites in Schmallenberg, Bad Berleburg and Kreuztal charge €8–12 per person per night. Free Wanderunterkünfte trail shelters at Neuastenberg and Hallenberg sleep up to 8 hikers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do I need a permit to hike the E1 in Germany?
No permit is required. The trail runs entirely on public footpaths and crosses multiple nature parks — Arnsberger Wald, Rothaargebirge and Sauerland-Rothaargebirge — where hiking is freely permitted without charge. Stay on marked paths within Natura 2000 zones to comply with NRW conservation law. All 8 stage start and end points are accessible by public transport, and there are no access fees anywhere on the route.