A target image for the Rothaarsteig: climate-resilient, responsible, inspiring

A vision for the Rothaarsteig: climate-resilient, responsible, inspiring

Sustainable further development of the long-distance hiking trail follows a shared vision

How will the Rothaarsteig become a pioneer for a sustainable and climate-resilient long-distance hiking trail? How do we adapt the infrastructure for the future, design innovative products and at the same time live up to our responsibility for nature, the climate and people? And how do we spark enthusiasm and make the Rothaarsteig a place of longing? These questions were the focus of an intensive, creative workshop with more than 50 partners from tourism, local authorities, forestry, nature conservation, culture, science and business in Winterberg. Their joint project: To develop an inspiring target image for the Rothaarsteig - a "big picture" that provides orientation, releases energy and shows concrete steps for the long-distance hiking trail.

The further development of the Rothaarsteig in terms of sustainability is an important work package in the "Smart Tourism Lab - Germany's inspiring outdoor region becomes sustainable and climate-resilient" project. This is a project within the framework of the ERDF NRW program, which is funded by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and implemented by the two associations Sauerland-Tourismus e.V. and Touristikverband Siegen-Wittgenstein e.V. in cooperation with the Rothaarsteigverein e.V.. The Institute for Outdoor Sport and Environmental Research at the German Sport University Cologne is supporting the sustainable transformation of the Rothaarsteig - on a scientific basis, providing impetus and looking to the future.

The sustainable orientation of the Rothaarsteig is a joint effort involving many stakeholders. Sustainability has several facets - it includes ecological viability as a prerequisite for long-term stable economic and social development - and is an ongoing process. Back in October last year, ideas for a sustainable Rothaarsteig were collected and sorted in a kick-off workshop with numerous participants from the Rothaarsteig network.

Based on the results from October, business illustrator Christian Ridder illustrated the status quo of the work to date in large format and presented it at the start of the current workshop. What had previously been recorded in keywords and small texts was thus brought to life on a large surface in many details and a lively presentation. It should be noted that this was a snapshot that was to be filled with further content by the participants during the event.

While this draft of a "Rothaarsteig Big Picture" served as inspiration and incentive, the intensive brainstorming went into the concrete. The around 50 representatives from tourism, local authorities, forestry, nature conservation, culture, science and business now had the task of examining the four prioritized fields of action around the long-distance hiking trail that emerged from the first meeting in terms of their challenges, finding solutions and proposing concrete measures. These fields of action serve as a common thread in order to be able to achieve tangible results during the project period given the complexity of the tasks. For example, the workshop participants jointly considered how the Rothaarsteig can create offers that combine emotional experiences with education and vividly convey topics such as biodiversity and climate change. They discussed how the infrastructure and equipment along the trail need to be adapted in order to cope with the effects of climate change. They collected ideas on how the trail can remain unique, relevant and inspiring in the future. The participants also discussed how the Rothaarsteig can win over people - guests and locals alike - as enthusiastic participants or even fans, make a sense of belonging tangible and visibly acknowledge commitment.

"When we talk about sustainable tourism development, we need projects like this: bold, forward-looking and participatory. The Rothaarsteig is not just a benefit for the region. It has the potential to become a role model as a climate-adapted long-distance hiking trail throughout Germany and beyond," says Prof. Dr. Ralf Roth from the German Sport University Cologne, summing up the ambitions of the workshop and the project as a whole. And so many suggestions for concrete action came together in Winterberg in a lively exchange and constructive discussion. They will be sorted and checked to see which ones can be implemented by the end of the "Smart Tourism Lab" project period in mid-2027. However, no idea will be lost, as the sustainable further development of the Rothaarsteig will not end on a cut-off date, but will continue into the future.

Following the continuation workshop in Winterberg, illustrator Christian Ridder will complete the target image for the Rothaarsteig. This is intended to illustrate the shared vision, bring clarity to the sustainable further development of the long-distance hiking trail and form the basis for concrete, implementable project measures. The cooperation of many partners in the development of the target image will strengthen the "we" feeling and the finished "big picture" will make the desired future of the Rothaarsteig tangible.

Press contact:

Anna Galon, Sauerland-Tourismus e. V.,
Johannes-Hummel-Weg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg
Tel.: 02974-969850, e-mail: anna.galon@sauerland.com