6 stages from Winterberg to the Rhine — Ruhr Valley cycle path
Bike Touring Collection by RuhrtalRadweg
7
Tours
19:23 h
189 mi
4,975 ft
The dreamlike Rothaar Mountains with their beautiful forests that stretch down to the valley, imposing reservoirs lined up like pearls along the course of the river, wide meadows along the shore and urban sections with an industrial flair, you can discover all this on the Ruhrtal cycle path. From the source to the estuary, the cycle path leads you along the Ruhr for 240 kilometers (140 miles)—and it takes you almost exclusively downhill.
In the beautiful mountainous Winterberg, not far from the spring of the Ruhr, you start your ride and cycle along the broadening river. You will pass through countless beautiful towns and pass impressive reservoirs. Duisburg is the end of the ride, from where the Ruhr flows into the Rhine.
We have divided the varied ride into six stages, some of which are pleasantly short. If you feel confident, you can also ride two stages in one day. The journey to the starting point in Winterberg is completely uncomplicated thanks to a train connection—and you'll find numerous stations throughout your ride in case you decide on a truncated version of the trip.
Towards the end, the Ruhrtal cycle path leads through the Ruhrpott, where there is plenty to explore even away from the river. If you feel like it, you can insert one or two circuits between the individual stages of the Ruhrtal cycle path and explore the surrounding towns and places of interest. For this purpose, we have selected a circuit from Herdecke via Dortmund as an example, which you can ride as an additional stage during your trip along the Ruhr. You will find it below the other stages.
The Ruhr Valley cycle path got rated by the ADFC (German Cyclist's Association) as a quality cycle route with four stars. More information (in German): adfc.de/artikel/radurlaub-als-sternstunde
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Last updated: February 15, 2022
All stages of the Ruhr Valley cycle path
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:3625.7 mi9.9 mph675 ft1,900 ft
Let's start with the RuhrtalRadweg in the beautiful Winterberg. At the starting point you can easily get on the train. From there, it then goes in 41 kilometers always downhill to the first stage destination in Meschede.
Shortly after Winterberg, you pass the Ruhrquelle, an inconspicuous spot where the…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate03:2533.5 mi9.8 mph625 ft1,075 ft
Today's stage from Meschede to Wickede is a bit longer than the previous one. But it also leads you mainly downhill along the beautiful Ruhr.
Shortly after Meschede, you can first look forward to a few smaller climbs before going on a long descent. On the way, some beautiful sections of the Ruhr Valley…
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- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:5027.7 mi9.8 mph325 ft475 ft
Today the RuhrtalRadweg takes you from Wickede to Herdecke. Also on this stage it goes downhill continuously, whereby the landscape becomes ever flatter. The initial hills of the tour are now replaced by vast meadows and forests that you can see in the distance.
It starts in Wickede directly along the…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate02:0420.9 mi10.1 mph525 ft525 ftFerry
Today's tour is the shortest day's stage so far. Along the Ruhr, there are only 34 kilometers from Herdecke to Hattingen. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful highlights that await you on the way.
Let's go past the Harkortsee, the second reservoir near Herdecke. Then it goes through beautiful…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:5930.6 mi10.3 mph725 ft925 ft
Almost 50 kilometers are waiting for you today. They lead you on the RuhrtalRadweg from Hattingen to Mülheim an der Ruhr. The track is a bit flat, but conjures up one or the other short climb for you from the sleeve.
Right after your start in Hattingen you will pass small waterfalls of the Ruhr. This…
- Intermediate bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.Intermediate01:5116.7 mi9.0 mph350 ft375 ft
The last stage of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route is also the shortest at 27 kilometers. Today it goes from Mülheim an der Ruhr to Duisburg. Before you finish your tour in Duisburg at the train station, you drive along the Ruhr to its mouth in the Rhine.
Because the stage is so short, you can take the time…
- Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult03:3934.3 mi9.4 mph1,725 ft1,725 ft
As a bonus and interesting option for a day trip, we have built a small city break to Dortmund for you. The demanding circuit with a number of gradients starts in Herdecke, one of the stage destinations on the RuhrtalRadweg, and is 55 kilometers long.
The first goal of the round trip is Dortmund. Along…
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance189 mi
- Duration19:23 h
- Elevation4,975 ft
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