Enjoy, experience, power up - cycling in the Sauerland region

The Möhnesee is a well-known leisure destination in the Sauerland. It is one of the largest reservoirs in North Rhine-Westphalia and offers on its shores numerous opportunities for wonderfully natural breaks on your bike ride. But the actual "star" of this tour is the Möhne, the little river that feeds the Möhnesee. It rises in the old Hanseatic city of Brilon and flows into the Ruhr in Arnsberg-Neheim. Through the valley of the Möhne runs the approximately 70-kilometer-long route, which leads you through wonderfully located bike paths with almost no gradients through the Sauerland.There is much to discover along the way. Before you go, it's worth taking a look at the beautiful old town of Brilon. Maybe you'll roll past the baroque town hall on the old market square and tune in to the upcoming tour in one of the cozy cafés with a fresh watch maker? As soon as you sit on the bike, you dive into the idyllic nature of the Sauerland. Smooth paved railway tracks make the ride pure pleasure. On the way you can enjoy wonderful views of the countryside or discover here and there relics from the time, where trains still rattled over the rails here.The Möhnesee is of course a highlight of the tour and here you will find a cozy place on the shore or a restaurant for a long break. But along the route there are plenty of opportunities for short stops. As part of the renaturation project "Möhne Life", a total of 13 rest areas and information points have been set up, inviting visitors to linger. So you finally reach the mouth of the Möhne in the Ruhr and thus the end of the MöhnetalRadwegs in Arnsberg-Neheim. Here you can expect the vibrant life of the attractive shopping city - a nice contrast to the idyllic and quiet bike tour that you have behind you.All information about the MöhnetalRadweg can be found here: moehnetalradweg.de.

The SauerlandRadring is a true cyclist highlight: on a 84-kilometer round, it connects cities such as Finnentrop, Eslohe, Schmallenberg or Lennestadt. It runs over former railway tracks far away from traffic through the wonderful nature of the Sauerland. And because it's a ring, you can get in and out where you want. With the Hennesee loop, this tour is complemented by a 126-kilometer cyclist pleasure. The route is in the form of an eight, so you can shorten it easily, or you can drive as a multi-day tour completely.In addition to the well-paved cycling route and the many nice breaks, this tour is also a great nature experience. Away from traffic, many animals have found a habitat and with a little peace and patience, you can watch them on the go. Especially exciting are the tunnels, which you drive on the former railway line. In it today bats have settled, which find here optimal living conditions.In addition to a great deal of nature, all kinds of cultural highlights await you on the route. In addition to the track you can always admire the witnesses of the railway technical history of the ring. Old signals, bumpers, wagons and even steam locomotives make your ride an entertaining experience. And of course, the Sauerland is prepared to take care of your physical well-being. There are always opportunities for a little or a lot of refreshment along the way. If you want to do this tour in stages, you will find countless cozy accommodations in Finnentrop, Eslohne, Meschede, Schmallenberg and Lennestadt.To put together your personal tour on the SauerlandRadring, you should visit the webpage of the tour at sauerlandradring.de.

The Ruhr-Sieg-Radweg connects the rivers Ruhr and Sieg on 114 kilometers and leads you over former railway tracks and past the famous Biggesee from Meschede in the Sauerland to Kirchen in Siegerland. The route is beautiful but quite hilly and thus quite demanding. However, in two to three stages, this tour can still be mastered with pleasure for all cyclists.You start in Meschede and soon set course for the Sauerlandring, which leads you first with gentle slope over the perfectly paved, former railway line. On the way, you can experience the history of the railway, for example, in the DampfLandLeute Museum in Eslohe, or you can enjoy how nature uses human structures for their own purposes: the famous Fehrenbracht bats tunnel is a good example of this.From Finnentrop you drive on to Olpe, where you come to the shore of the Biggesee. It is one of the largest reservoirs in Westphalia and perfect for a long break. Alternatively, the historic old towns of Attendorn and Olpe invite you to a short detour. In the further course, the Wendener hut, the oldest preserved charcoal blast furnace plant in the German-speaking area, is definitely worth a stop.On the way to the historic city center Freudenberg you drive into Siegerland and enjoy a nice, long descent. In Niederfischbach worth a stop at the Siegerland Cathedral before you tackle the last few kilometers to churches at the victory. At the end of the tour, make a detour to the Herkersdorf district, where you can see the 20 meter high basalt formation of the cult site Druidenstein.If you want to drive this tour in several stages, Finnetrop, Attendorn, Olpe or Freudenberg offer to stop. All information about the planning can be found at ruhr-sieg-radweg.de.

Hardly any other river has shaped a whole region as sustainably as the Ruhr. It was and is the lifeblood of the Ruhrgebiet and along its course you can discover the fascinating history of industrialization and structural change today. On 230 kilometers, the Ruhr Valley cycle path offers variety. He leads you from the source of the Ruhr near Winterberg from the Sauerland to the Ruhr area until you finally reach the mouth of the Rhine near Duisburg. It is a fascinating journey through the history of a metropolis and through beautiful landscapes - not for nothing is the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route one of the most popular cycling routes in Germany.You start in Winterberg at the source of the Ruhr. Here, the mighty river splashing out of a crevasse as a small trickle - it's absolutely fascinating, considering how this quiet place has affected a whole region. The tour follows the Ruhr, which is the trickle to the creek and leads you through the woods and meadows of tranquil Sauerland. Again and again you come through cozy little towns that invite you to take a short break. At first, it is sometimes brisk downhill, but there are always short, crisp climbs waiting for you. The paths are varied, you drive on small side roads or sometimes on an idyllic commercial road.From about Meschede the track changes its character. Meanwhile, the Ruhr has grown into a considerable river, which is always accompanied by the mostly clean paved RuhrtalRadweg. Along the Ruhrauen and over various bridges, you will always have great views of the idyllic river landscape.Along the Hengsteysee and past the Harkortsee you take a course on the last part of the RuhrtalRadweg. Now you cycle through the Ruhr area and can guess what role the river may have played in the marriage of coal and steel production. You will pass old coal mines, several barrages and cross impressive railway bridges. Literally behind every bend another surprise awaits you here. But the Ruhr has changed a lot. It used to be a dirty working water, today it is an idyllic habitat especially for countless waterfowl that accompany you on your tour.If you reach the mouth of the Ruhr in the Rhine near Duisburg, you will be deeply impressed and highly satisfied to look back on the kilometers traveled. The great bike path, the wonderful landscape, the many facets of the river and the countless natural and cultural highlights along the route are something really special.With a length of 236 kilometers you can plan the RuhrtalRadweg best in several stages. You have the free choice. Whether short distances or rather long day trips - the bike path is well developed for tourists and offers you a large selection of accommodation that has been specially adapted to the needs of cyclists. If you want to concentrate fully on cycling, there are even complete packages including accommodation and luggage transport so you do not have to worry about anything. All information about planning your tour can be found here: ruhrtalradweg.de.

The GeoRadroute Ruhr-Eder takes you on a 210-kilometer tour through the Sauerland in North Rhine-Westphalia and through the Waldecker Land in Hessen. You will not only take a bike tour, but also a little journey of discovery through the geological history of these regions: In the Geopark GrenzWelten you will get interesting insights into the geology and the development of the landscape here.Start of the tour is in Winterberg, from where you take a little detour to the source of the Ruhr. First you cycle through the beautiful landscape of the Sauerland, enjoy beautiful views and come again and again through tranquil villages like Olsberg or Brilon, which invite you to take a little rest.About Willingen and Korbach lead you beautiful bike paths - partly on wonderfully prepared Bahntrassenradwege - in Waldecker country, where the impressive and beautiful Ederstausee waiting for you. Along the lake shore, you can enjoy the flattest section of the tour - pure enjoyment! How about a small boat trip across the lake? By boat you also have the opportunity to shorten the tour a bit, if you want.Past the National Park Kellerwald-Edersee you cycle in the further course of the tour through the hilly Eder-Bergland. However, the cycle path usually leads you flat through the valley. The drive along the Eder is pure pleasure, while the impressive hills of this beautiful landscape pile up to the left and right of you.In Allendorf you leave the Eder and make your way back to the Sauerland. On an all-round beautiful Bahntrassenradweg it goes back to Winterberg - this bike path is so beautiful and so varied that you deserve the last few meters to the finish. In Winterberg, you can relax in one of the numerous restaurants and cafes of the Sauerland stronghold in peace and quiet.The GeoRadroute Ruhr-Eder you take due to their lays best in several stages before. Information on all sights along the route and the accommodation options can be found here: georadroute.de.

The Diemelradweg takes you on 111 kilometers from the Diemelquelle in Willingen-Usseln up to its mouth in the Weser in Bad Karlshafen. You follow their course downstream, which is why you can enjoy significantly more runs than climbs. This makes it a nice tour for the whole family, who will also enjoy numerous cultural highlights, break opportunities and excellent bike paths. The Diemelradweg you can comfortably master on a long weekend in two to three days.On the way you will be amazed by the varied natural landscape. You first drive across the heights of the Waldecker Upland, cycle through the Diemelsee Nature Park, drive through the Sauerland and always enjoy the hilly mountainous landscape that accompanies you to the mouth of the Diemel in the Weser. Variety is provided: You drive through picturesque valleys, over impressive Kalkmagerrasen and through the idyllic Rheinhardswald. On the way, you can always stop in the cozy half-timbered villages, look at the historic buildings and strengthen yourself in a café or restaurant. History, culture, nature, lots of fun and relaxation accompany you throughout the tour.The themed bike path takes you through mountainous terrain, but tends to run downhill and is mostly family friendly flat. There are smaller, crisp intermediate climbs, but they are always richly rewarded. Exciting excursion destinations and entertaining sights along the route will delight children in particular. All sights and hosts along the route can be found here: diemelradweg.de.

The Ruhr-Lenne-Achter is a varied cycling tour through the border area of Sauerland and Ruhrgebiet. In fact, the route even describes two tours in one: The approximately 42-kilometer Ostschleife and the approximately 52-kilometer-long Westschleife together make this tour in the form of an eight, which gives you all sorts of opportunities to drive the route.The shorter Ostroute is especially recommended for families. A detour to the Felsenmeer or to the Sauerlandpark in Hemer, the blacksmith museum in Fröndenberg or the historic factory in Maste-Barendorf will not only delight the kids. The western route is longer and leads you past the Dechenhöhle in Letmathe, Hengsteysee and Hohensyburg.The entire route is mostly gradual and runs over Bahntrassenradwege and sections of the RuhrtalRadwegs. On the way, cozy city centers with their cafes and restaurants invite you to linger. If you can not get enough of all this, just put both loops together: The big round (without the "Eight" connector) is 68 kilometers long - if you choose it, you're guaranteed to miss out on anything!