The bicycle
trail along the Ruhr River from Winterberg to Muelheim has a total length of
about 217 km. It is very pleasant and diversified. Along the trail there are
wonderful towns with traditional timber frame structures, inviting
restaurants and attractive beer gardens. The bike path follows the river
through the mountainous countryside of the "Hochsauerland". The first
stretch runs mostly across quiet forest and farm roads or along lanes just
built for cyclists.
In the popular winter sports resort of Winterberg we start our tour and cycle
somewhat uphill to the source of the river Ruhr. From there we continue our
ride to the restaurant "Ruhrquellenhuette". Then we bike on to
two of the most beautiful villages of Germany: Assinghausen and Olsberg.
From there we go to Meschede (so coverig a day distance of about 41 km). The
next day at we head for the worth seeing county town Arnsberg (about 25 km)
where we enjoy seeing the historic old town quarter. Afterwards we cycle
via Neheim to Wickede. From there we continue our trip via the
"Zabel-Route" to Froendenberg (day distance 61 km). Here we reach the
southern Ruhr-district, where the trail takes us along the river Ruhr through
meadows and park areas, then it leads us to some lakes that have been
constructed with dams and serve as water reservoirs: Lake Hengstey, Lake Harkort,
Lake Kemnade and Lake Baldeney. Soon we reach the Westphalian hanseatic town of
Schwerte with its well worth seeing old town quarter and its lovingly attended
and preserved half timbered houses (about 19 km). From there we bike on along
the barrier lakes to the beautiful city of Hattingen (day distance 65 km). The
following day we do Heisingen, where we meet Lake Baldeney (ca. 22 km). And
finally we cycle to Muelheim (day distance about 50 km).
http://foldingbike-brompton.blogspot.de/2013/08/winterberg-where-ruhrtalweg-begins-and.html
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Head of the Ruhr river at Winterberg
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| Blooming broom bushes |
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| Not on Easter Island but in Sauerland |
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| Glider airfield next to the bike trail |
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| Arnsberg, Probsteikirche |
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| Auferstehungskirche, Architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel |
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| Bell tower, landmark of Arnsberg |
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| "Altes Backhaus" with nice beer garden |
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| Moehne river ending in the Ruhr river |
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| Hanseatic town of Schwerte |
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| Barrage of Lake Hengstey |
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| Coot family on the water construction site |
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| What am I: river rat, beaver or otter? (muskrat) |
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Bike ferry "Hardenstein"
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| Beer garden next to sluice of Herbede |
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| Town house in Hattingen |
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| Hattingen, Flatironbuilding |
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| Hattingen, houses with slated facades |
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| Decoration on a slated facade |
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| Guardian angel on a front door of a town house |
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| Hattingen, half-timber houses next to St. Georgskirche |
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| Hattingen, Hotel "Westfaelischer Hof" |
Hattingen, St. Georgs Kirche
Church tower not quite straight
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| Werden, Papermill sluice |
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| Pit-head frame |
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| Lake Baldeney with Krupp Villa Huegel |
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| Beer garden "Franky's Terrasse" at the Wasserbahnhof in Muelheim |
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| Historic water tower at Muelheim, Ruhr |
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| Water museum in the old water tower |
