On the road on the SauerlandRadring
The SauerlandRadring is one of the most beautiful touring cycle routes in the Sauerland. In this experience report, you can find out all the information about the route and highlights along the way.
Away from the rivers - into the mountains - experience new landscapes.
On new "cycle highways", the low mountain landscapes of our region - nestled between the Rhine, Ruhr and Siegen - can be experienced by everyone.
If you had told someone 15 years ago how beautiful cycling in the Sauerland is, they would have shaken their heads in disbelief. If you told them today that you can cycle the Alme-Radweg from Schloss Neuhaus to Brilon for 64 kilometers, the MöhneRadweg from Brilon to Neheim-Hüsten for 69 kilometers, part of the Ruhrtalradweg from Neheim-Hüsten to Wennemen for 36 kilometers, the Ruhr-Sieg-Radweg from Wennemen to Olpe for 71 kilometers, from Olpe the Bergisch Panorama Radweg to Bergisch-Born 63 kilometers and from Bergisch Born via the Balkantrasse to Leverkusen 30 kilometers, i.e. a total of 333 kilometers through the Sauerland and the Bergisches Land. And when you tell them that a large part of the route runs along disused railroad lines, their interest is piqued.
Speaking of railroad lines, an ideal way to discover the Sauerland by bike is a cycle tour on the 84-kilometer SauerlandRadring and the 40-kilometer Nordschleife. You can hop on anywhere, but if you are traveling by car or train, Finnentrop is an ideal starting point. Directly opposite the station is the new Lennepark with plenty of parking spaces. From the parking lot, cycle to the right along the Lenne to the north signal box, turn left over the bridge and then follow the logo of the cycle ring, the red bat. After a short ride past the premises of the large meat factory, where 80 million "Dicke Sauerländer" are produced every year, we see the "Lichtblick Lenne" platform on the right, from which we hope the new route through the 196-metre-long Lenhausen tunnel will soon be realized. At the Lenhausen sports field, the path now leads us to the right towards Lenhausen Castle, a moated castle from the 14th century, which was converted into a castle in the 17th century. Sporty cyclists can take a detour from here to Rönkhausen to measure their personal time at the StoppOmat Rönkhausen on the designated mountain route. Over a distance of 4.5 kilometers, there are 250 meters of altitude to conquer here. www.stoppomat.de
We continue slightly uphill along the country road to the start of the railroad cycle path through the Frettertal valley. In future, you will arrive here after passing through the Lenhausen tunnel. After 4 kilometers you reach the Frettermühle. The former grain mill has been used to generate environmentally friendly electricity since 1989. The Caféstübchen offers home-baked cakes in the historic ambience of the mill on Sundays and public holidays from 2 pm to 6 pm.
The route continues slightly uphill to Fretter and turns right after the village center to the bone mill. The bone mill is a water wheel mill and was built around 1900. It was used to produce bone meal, which was used as fertilizer. The technical cultural monument with its equipment is considered unique in North Rhine-Westphalia. (Visits by telephone on 02724-8258).
Now there are still around 5 kilometers to go to the highlight of the SauerlandRadring, the Fledermaustunnel. The route climbs steadily uphill past historical railroad exhibits such as signs, wagons and locomotives. 689 meters long and on average 10 degrees cool, it offers an eerily beautiful experience. Up to 200 rare bats such as the bearded bat, the greater mouse-eared bat and the brown long-eared bat have their winter quarters here. The tunnel is therefore closed from November to the beginning of April and a detour is signposted.
After passing through the tunnel, the route heads downhill towards Eslohe. At the end of the railroad cycle path, you come to the Dampf-Land-Leute-Museum, a great museum that covers over 2,000 square meters and shows how people used the energy of water and fire in the past. A visit is particularly worthwhile during the Eslohe Steam Days at the end of May and the end of September.
After the museum, the route continues left through Sallinghausen to the northern loop of the SauerlandRadring, which is described later. (Junction to Nordschleife, description below) Turn right to Bremke and in the middle of the village turn onto the railroad line to Schmallenberg.
The route now climbs steadily uphill past small villages such as Dorlar and Mailar to Bad Fredeburg, which has been a healing cave since 2011 and is located in one of the most densely wooded regions in Germany. The pretty half-timbered town invites you to take a tour of the old town. The court museum is unique in North Rhine-Westphalia and displays an interesting collection on the history of the judiciary from the Femegericht to today's jurisdiction.
Shortly after Bad Fredburg, we reach the highest point of the cycle ring at 460 m above sea level and now roll relaxed towards Schmallenberg. Schmallenberg is one of the largest towns in Germany and was a member of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. There has been evidence of the textile industry here since the 15th century and the "stocking town" of Schmallenberg is home to the Falke company. You should not miss a tour of the center with its classicist houses and quiet Winkeln.
On our further journey, it is worth making a detour to the federal gold village of Milchenbach with its half-timbered houses, which are well worth seeing. Shortly afterwards, we reach the climatic health resort of Saalhausen with its newly designed spa gardens. Numerous cafés and inns invite you to linger. On the cycle path along the B236, we reach Altenhundem, where the train station can also be used for arrivals and departures. Down the Lenne, we reach Meggen. High above the town are the Sauerland pyramids, which are home to the "Galileo Park" knowledge and puzzle park. From the viewing terrace, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Lenne valley. Right next door is the Sicilia shaft industrial monument. Sulphur gravel has been mined here since the early 1850s, mainly for the production of sulphuric acid. The former mining facilities can be visited.
As we continue on our way, we reach the "Wild West" of Elspe. Here it is worth making a detour to the famous Elpse Festival. In Europe's largest pure show and festival park, you can experience the Karl May Festival on the natural stage from June to September as well as guest performances by well-known stars in the festival hall.
After a short drive, we reach Finnentrop. Right at the entrance to the town on the left-hand side, you can visit the exterior of Bamenohl House.
Text by Bernhard Lubeley