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Ruhr valley bike path

Through Sauerland to the Rhine

Route

Tour profile/ Level 1-2:

The Ruhr Valley Cycle Path runs mainly on traffic-free, asphalted cycle paths and paved good roads with little traffic. The cycle path is consistently signposted from the Sauerland to the Rhine. At the beginning of the route, there are some inclines to be overcome for the first 35 kilometers, after which the route is largely flat. This cycle tour is also suitable for beginners, groups and families with children from 12 years.

Day 1: Winterberg

Look forward to Winterberg, the well-known holiday resort in the Hochsauerland near the source of the Ruhr, because Winterberg is not only beautiful in winter! If you have a little time, you shouldn’t miss a trip to the observation tower and the fascinating Hochheide on the Kahler Asten. Winterberg can be easily reached by train. If you want to arrive by car, you can park directly at the hotel for the duration of the entire bike tour.

Day 2: Winterberg - Meschede, approx. 41 km

At the source of the Ruhr near Winterberg, at an altitude of 654 m, you start your varied journey along the Ruhr. From there it’s mostly cycling downhill through light forests with wonderful views to the award-winning rose village of Assinghausen. This place has been a officially recognized rose village since 2007 and on a worthwhile tour you will discover beautiful gardens and houses that are decorated with over 150 different types of roses. At lunchtime, you can take a delightful break in the freshly selected Kneipp spa in Olsberg with its charming cafes and historic restaurants. Also worth seeing is the herb garden and orchard garden in the renatured Ruhr meadows. Finally, via Bestwig, it goes to Meschede with the striking “Sauerland Cathedral” and the pretty pedestrian zone. Here you can take a nice excursion to the Hennesee. The park-like Henne-Boulevard leads directly to the "Himmelstreppe", which leads up to the dam with 333 steps.

Day 3: Meschede - Neheim, approx. 43 km

Today the Ruhr runs deeply cut and is framed by the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park. As soon as you are in the saddle, the beautiful park of the moated castle Laer offers a first photo stop. Later in the morning you can take a detour to the Hünenburg before you come to the towering old town of Arnsberg, which is almost completely surrounded by the deeply cut Ruhr. Counts, electors, Hesse and Prussia have left their mark on this historic city with the imposing castle ruins, the Landsberger Hof with the Sauerland Museum and the classicism quarter in the well-preserved medieval timber-framed town. In the afternoon you continue cycling along the Ruhr to Neheim with its neat half-timbered houses and the typical Burgmannshöfen. Here you can end the day in the spacious pedestrian zone or have a sporty tour around the Möhnesee.

Day 4: Neheim - Herdecke, approx. 52 km

Today you leave the Hochsauerland, the surrounding hills become gentler and the valley floodplain becomes wider and forms a scenic new section of the Ruhr valley cycle path. Small towns like Wickede or Fröndenberg beckon for a break from the saddle. The route leads leisurely through wide meadows and fields to the old Hanseatic city of Schwerte, with lovingly tended half-timbered houses and the last historic mustard mill in Westphalia (tastings possible). In the afternoon, the Ruhr valley becomes narrower again and a sporty detour up to the viewpoint of the Hohensyburg ruins is possible. However, the bike path leads flat directly along the banks of the Hengsteysee, a popular local recreation area, and on to the idyllic Herdecke with its new promenade on the Ruhr bank.

Day 5: Herdecke - Hattingen, approx. 38 km

In the morning, the cycle path leads to the “cradle of Ruhr mining” and to the first foothills of the classic Ruhr area. But the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path mostly runs in the countryside and leads over long distances through popular local recreation areas directly on the old towpath on the river bank. First you cycle next to the Harkortsee, one of a total of six Ruhr reservoirs. Later you get via Wengern with the historic town center to Muttental, the cradle of Ruhr mining. The first chunks of black gold were brought to light here almost 200 years ago. In the “Zeche Nachtigall” industrial museum, which is well worth seeing, it goes back to the time when horizontal tunnels were driven into the slopes for coal mining and the first shafts were later dug into the depths .Then you reach the Kemnader reservoir and from there it is not far to Hattingen, where a stroll through the historic old town is worthwhile. An ascent to the beautiful hotel in Burgaltendorf awaits you at the end of the stage.

Day 6: Hattingen - Kettwig, approx. 37 km

In the morning you can first plan a tour of the disused Henrichshütte in Hattingen and follow the varied circular route vividly on the trail of iron up to the top of the blast furnace. Today, the cycle path leads again in an idyllic rural setting right along the river bank. In the morning there its the possibility for a detour to the Bochum-Dahlhausen Railway Museum with its more than 180 old steam locomotives, wagons and rail buses. You can then comfortably cycle along the Baldeneysee with its many refreshment stops. Here you can visit the Villa Hügel, founded in 1873 by the industrialist Alfred Krupp. With so much culture along the way, today’s stage to the half-timbered old town of Kettwig is deliberately kept short!
 

Day 7: Kettwig - Duisburg, approx. 32 km

The last day of cycling is also packed with highlights. In the morning, the bike path offers an idyllic alternative right on the riverbank to Mülheim. It leads along Broich Castle to the award-winning Aquarius water tower with its multimedia museum on 14 levels. At the end of the trip the route continues on separate cycle paths to where the Ruhr flows into the Rhine. Here, at the end of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path, symbolically stands the fascinating Rhine Orange, a luminous 25 m high landmark in the middle of the impressive panorama of the Duisburg harbor. Hopefully you will have enough time in the afternoon to take part in a harbor tour through the largest inland port in the world. You can end the beautiful journey in the renovated inner port in one of the numerous restaurants, pubs or bars.

Day 8: Duisburg

Individual departure after breakfast or extension.

Services

Included services

  • 7 nights

  • Daily breakfast 

  • Luggage transport

  • Cycling map with a marked route

  • Tips for travel preparation

  • Tourist information

  • Maps- and information material/room

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Discount additional bed in double room with min.1 full paying adults  
    0 - 5,99 years -100%
    6 - 11,99 years -50%
    12 - 17,99 years -25%
       
    Bicycle & equipment  
    7-speed-bike (back pedal brake)/ 27-speed bike 99
    E-bike 239
       
    Additional nights
    Winterberg (dbl/sgl) 69/109
    Duisburg (dbl/sgl) 69/109
       
    Transfer*  
    Duisburg - Winterberg 99
    own bike on transfer 30


    *every  Sunday at approx. 9 a.m., please reserve with booking


    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel samples

    Winterberg: Hotel Hessenhof
    Meschede: Von Korffs rest & relax
    Neheim: Hotel Pemü
    Herdecke: Ringhotel Zweibrücker Hof
    Hattingen: Hotel Zur alten Krone
    Essen-Kettwig: Hotel Knappmann
    Duisburg: Wyndham Duisburger Hof


    Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

    Bicycle

    Rental bikes

    Our 7- or 27-speed-bikes

    The robust modern aluminium frame with moulded lower tube guarantees quiet running even in case of high "payload". Same applies to the steel forks. All frames are coated with a long-living and non-polluting powder lacquer showing the typical Velociped green. There are, of course, different types of frame available depending on the size of ladies and gentlemen, as the bike must fit the "rider".

    And: all ladies’ bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. 

     All 7-speed tourers have wide and comfortable gel saddles with a cushioning that offers maximum comfort even in an upright position. The seat post has a quick release skewers in order to adjust the saddle size without tools.


    E-Bikes | Pedelecs

    We use high-quality, sturdy and technically mature FLYER e-bikes produced by the Swiss manufacturers Biketec. The drive of e-bikes can be switched on and off, respectively at the touch of a button – at any time. Thus, you can make use of the motor for ascents or headwind only, or as permanent support enabling you to cover even larger and harder day trips without physical exertion. You’ll always reach your destination rested and relaxed. The Shimano 8-speed hub is equally graded, and the grip shifter ensures easy and smooth handling, also under load. You can therefore always select the optimal speed while at the same time using a smooth motor support.

    Power is supplied to the motor by a 36 volt/12 ampere battery according to latest lithium-ion-polymer technology standards. The battery provides support for driving distances of up to approx. 100 km per charge. Recharging takes about 5 hours for completely discharged batteries. It is not necessary to wait until the battery is discharged, recharging is possible at any time.

    Attention: Please reserve E-bikes early as they are always depending on availability.


    Equipment

    Our bikes are equipped with a map holder at the handlebar, a waterproof pannier on the side of the bicylcle rack and a repair kit with a backup inner tube and an emergency kit.


    Bringing own bikes

    Sure you are invited to bring you own bike which is already fitted best for your needs. Do not forget to bring a repair kit with all necessary tools such as: keys, reserve tube and lock. Please check your own bicycle for operability upon arrival. Please note that we are not liable in case of damage, lost and theft. In case it breaks down, we will of course see to help you. 

     

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Dortumund (DTM)


    Arrival by car

    Parking:  Free public parking spaces are available in the vicinity of the hotel; prior reservations are not possible. You will receive detailed information on parking at the hotel booked for you with the detailed travel documents before you start your journey.


    Arrival by train

    Train station: Winterberg
    From Dortmund, a regional express takes you comfortably and without having to change trains in around 2 hours directly to the starting point of the Ruhr Valley cycle path in Winterberg.


    Transfer

    Back transfer from Duisburg to Winterberg, € 99, - p.p. , own bike on transfer € 30,- , every Sunday at approx. 9 am, travel time approx. 2.5 hours (reservation required, payable in advance).


    Additional information

    Any visitor’s tax that may be incurred is not part of the tour price and must therefore be paid on site at the hotel.

     

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