Rothaarsteig Stage 4: Schanze - Rhein-Weser Tower

This route follows stage 4 of the Rothaarsteig, connecting the mountain village of Schanze with the prominent Rhein-Weser Tower on a forested and historically rich section. The hike first leads through the gorge-like Gruben Valley down into the picturesque village of Latrop. From there, a steady ascent follows to the "Millionenbank," where the valley and ridge variants of the trail reunite. A special highlight on the way to Jagdhaus is the proximity to the "Wisent-Welt" (Bison World), where a herd of majestic European bison can be observed, before the path continues past the historic Margaretenstein border stone to the Rhein-Weser Tower on the Westerberg. Overnight stays are available in the cozy guesthouses in Schanze and Latrop or directly at the Rhein-Weser Tower; wild camping is prohibited in the nature park. Refreshments can be found in Latrop, Jagdhaus, and at the end of the stage. Transport is provided via regional bus connections from Schanze (toward Schmallenberg) or from the Rhein-Weser Tower (toward Kirchhundem); schedules and information can be found at https://www.vsninfo.de or the regional transit authorities for the Olpe and Hochsauerland districts.