From mountains to the Ruhr – ride the Lenneroute through the Sauerland

The Lenneroute winds its way through the picturesque Sauerland region in western Germany for just over 140 kilometres (87 miles). From the mountains, where the Lenne, the most important tributary of the Ruhr River rises, you cycle downstream through beautiful nature characterised by deep green forests and wide meadows. You follow the river as it loops through a valley, hugged by hills. En route, you enjoy unforgettable views of fairytale castles and relaxing breaks in idyllic villages nestled along the riverbank.

In this Collection, I show you how to ride the Lenneroute in three stages, ranging in length from 38 to 66 kilometres (23.6 to 41 miles). If you like an even sportier challenge, you can combine the first two stages and ride the complete Tour in two days. Your adventure through the Sauerland starts in the town of Winterberg which you can reach with the regional train from Dortmund. Your journey ends in the town of Wetter (Ruhr) where you can travel home with the S-Bahn in the direction of Dortmund or Hagen.

From the starting point in Winterberg, you first cycle to the source of the Lenne River, which rises on the Hohe Asten, the highest mountain in the Sauerland. Afterwards, you ride mostly downhill, but you still gain plenty of elevation along the way, which makes the first two stages a bit more challenging. Staying close to the river, you finally reach Hagen, where the Lenne flows into the Ruhr after 129 kilometres (80 miles). But your journey doesn't end here. For a fitting finale, you roll along the impressive Ruhr reservoirs into the beautiful town of Wetter (Ruhr).

En route and in the stage destinations, you can look forward to good infrastructure. The region has many accommodation options such as hotels, guesthouses and holiday rentals. You can find a generous selection of places to stay in all of the stage towns. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you always have the choice to hop on a train. Your physical well-being is also well taken care of – cosy restaurants and charming cafes are great places to stop and reflect on your journey and replenish your energy for the kilometres to come.