Wickede is located in the Ruhr valley on the edge of the Sauerland on the southern slope of the Haarstrang. The municipal area is made up of the town center, which extends in the Ruhr valley, and extensions that have developed from the center at the elevations of the Haarstrang. The Ruhr cuts through the community and shapes the townscape.
The highest elevation in the municipality is the Bellingser Berg with a height of 238 m above sea level. The lowest point at 128 m above sea level is on the Ruhr, on the border between Menden (Sauerland) and Fröndenberg/Ruhr.