The Rothaarsteig is a long-distance hiking trail running through the Rothaargebirge, the densely forested mountain range that surrounds Siegen. The main trail stretches 154 kilometres from Brilon in the north to Dillenburg in the south, passing directly through the Siegerland and offering access to some of the most attractive and undervisited forest landscapes in western Germany. The highest point on the route, the Kahle Asten at 841 metres, is in the northern section; the terrain around Siegen is lower but still rewarding.
Day walks from Siegen are straightforward — the trail and its branches are well marked with the distinctive yellow Rothaarsteig arrow, and the forest is accessible from the city edge. The beech and oak forests are particularly beautiful in autumn. The full trail requires six to eight days; shorter sections can be combined with train or bus connections back to the city. The Siegen tourist office stocks trail maps and can advise on sections appropriate for the time available.