A long weekend on the Diemelradweg cycling route

From the Rothaargebirge the Diemel meanders through wooded valleys, over wide meadows and along small medieval villages. On its journey it flows through the Upland, the Hochsauerland and the Hessische Bergland until it finally joins the Weser at Bad Karlshafen. As the Diemel is a small river, it has had little significance for shipping over the years. That is your luck, because the Diemel was hardly developed and so it has preserved its unspoilt nature until today. The Diemel cycle path leads you in three enjoyable stages along the course of the river and through the magnificent landscape. Best of all, the paths are perfectly maintained and lead downhill most of the time. This is why the Diemel cycle path was rightly awarded four stars by the ADFC.

The three stages of the Diemel cycle path cover a total distance of around 110 kilometres. On your journey alongside the Diemel, you will cross magnificent meadow valleys, cycle along wooded mountains, enjoy the panoramic views and stroll through idyllic little towns. With a distance of less than 40 kilometres, the stages are deliberately short, making the Diemel cycle path perfect for families and leisurely cyclists. Sporty touring cyclists simply combine the stages and complete the Diemelradweg on two days. In the two stage destinations Marsberg and Warburg you will find a good selection of guest houses, hotels and holiday apartments. Since the villages along the stage are also home to various inns, you don't have to worry about your physical well-being on your tour. If you prefer to supply yourself with provisions, you can equip yourself in various supermarkets and bakeries.

The starting point of your bike tour, the Diemelquelle in the Rothaar Mountains, is very close to the border between Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. The nearest train station is in Usseln, two kilometres away, which is served by the Upland-Bahn from Brilon and Marburg. From the destination Bad Karlshafen you can take the Oberweser-Bahn to Ottbergen or Göttingen and continue your journey home. The two destinations Marsberg and Warburg also have a rail connection. This way you can also take a single stage or shorten your trip if the weather turns bad. By the way: The ADFC classifies the terrain of the route as predominantly flat.

Timetables can be found at bahn.de and nordwestbahn.de.