Ride the Hellweg-Weser railway cycle route in western Germany

Fascinating landscapes await you on the Hellweg-Weser railway cycle route (Hellweg-Weser BahnRadRoute in German) between the cities of Soest and Hameln in western Germany. The cycle path leads through wide fields and green meadows, passing lovely wooded hills, picturesque avenues, idyllic lakes and rivers that wind through lush meadows. On the way, you can stop for a break in a historic town centre and charming old town and relax in the stage destinations at the end of your ride.

At just over 250 kilometres (155 miles) in length, the Hellweg-Weser railway cycle router is best ridden in six stages, each averaging about 40 kilometres (24 miles). If you prefer longer days in the saddle or if you are riding your e-bike, you can always combine two stages to ride the entire Tour in three days.

Your adventure begins in the city of Soest. There is a train station here that is served by both regional and long-distance trains so it’s easy to arrive by train. The city has direct connections to Düsseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund, Hamm, Paderborn and Kassel, among others. 13 train stations are located along the route so you are never far away from rail connections.

The town of Hameln, where the Tour ends, also has a train station. Known as the town of the Pied Piper, Hameln has regional trains in the direction of Hildesheim or Bünde, so you can comfortably begin your journey home after your cycling adventure. Alternatively, you can also connect to the Hanover S-Bahn network. The S5 train takes you in the direction of Paderborn or Hannover Airport.

The route takes you over the Hellweg, through the Gütersloher Land region, the Lippe district and the Emmental valley to the Weser river. Along the way, you always find train stations and can hop on a train if you only want to ride a section of the bike path or if the weather is no longer cooperating. In all stage destinations, you also have a good choice of accommodation and refreshment facilities. In addition, there are nice highlights in all stage towns which conclude a great day on your bike.