Rothaarsteig Stage 3: Winterberg - Schanze

This route follows stage 3 of the Rothaarsteig, connecting the winter sports hub of Winterberg with the mountain village of Schanze on one of the trail's most famous sections. From Winterberg, the path leads past the St. Georg ski jump up to the Kahler Asten (842 m / 2,762 ft), the most renowned peak in the region. Here, the open heathland offers a spectacular 360-degree view that, on clear days, extends as far as the Harz Mountains and the Rhön. After visiting the source of the Lenne River, the highest source in North Rhine-Westphalia, the trail continues over the Albrechtsberg and finally through the steep Hartmecke Valley to the destination of Schanze. Overnight stays are available in the numerous hotels in Winterberg or in cozy guesthouses in Schanze; wild camping is prohibited in the nature park. Refreshments can be found at the Kahler Asten and in Schanze. Transport is provided via the Winterberg (Westf) train station; for travel to or from Schanze, regional bus connections are available. Schedules and information can be found at https://www.vsninfo.de (for the North Hesse border area) or local NRW transit sites.