Rothaarsteig trail Gernsdorf high-altitude tour

A varied landscape and great views with forests and especially with idyllic meadow landscapes await the hiker on the Gernsdorf Heights Tour around the eponymous Wilnsdorf district. The nature reserve "Gernsdorfer Weidekämpe" is unique due to the diversity of the cultivated landscape with various types of grassland. The term Weidekämpe refers to a large pasture introduced from the 19th century on cleared Hauberg areas.
Different soil conditions and land use practices have led to the development of various biotope types and plant communities of open land, many of which are of great importance for nature conservation. These include hair grass lawns, colorful mountain oat meadows, wet meadows, and small sedge swamps. Hedges, individual trees, wetlands, and springs provide habitat for many rare animal and plant species, offering visitors an attractive landscape. Remarkable species include tens of thousands of orchids. Rare grassland birds in the area are whinchats and meadow pipits, which can successfully nest only where management is extensive and adapted to the breeding season, as is the case here in the protected area.
Another special feature is that the Gernsdorf trail on the Rothaarsteig intersects with the Hessian trail "Dill-Bergtour", allowing the two Rothaarsteig trails to be combined into one long hike or planned in two stages.
The Rothaarsteig trails are certified as "dream tours" by the German Hiking Association. They are particularly suitable for your day trip or half-day tour on the Way of the Senses. All Rothaarsteig trails are marked with the white, horizontal R on a black background. Detailed descriptions of the trails can be found online at www.rothaarsteig.de/spuren. You can reach our service hotline at +49 2974/4994163 daily free of charge from 09.00 to 20.00.