Rothaarsteig — Dillenburg Approach

This southernmost stretch of the 154-kilometer Rothaarsteig long-distance trail approaches Dillenburg in northern Hesse, running along the Rothaargebirge watershed near the sources of the Lahn and Sieg rivers. The trailhead is Dillenburg train station, served by regional rail (RB95) from Wetzlar and Siegen, removing the need for a car; a small parking area near the station also serves drivers. The 13-kilometer stretch gains about 310 meters over rolling, forested ridgeline terrain, following packed dirt and root-crossed forest paths with occasional short, steep pulls but no scrambling or exposed sections. Dense mixed forest of beech, spruce, and fir shades nearly the entire route, keeping conditions cool even in midsummer but making the path slippery when wet. Key landmarks include marked signs at the river source points of the Lahn and Sieg, a distinctive feature of this stage since both rivers rise within a few kilometers of the trail, and a lookout clearing partway along offering a rare break in the tree cover toward the wider Rothaargebirge ridge. There is no refuge hut on this stretch, and the forest offers only intermittent, unmarked streams rather than a reliable potable water source, so hikers should carry all the water needed for the full distance. The approach into Dillenburg descends gradually toward the town's historic center, a natural end point with rail connections onward.