Ruhr-Sieg Cycle Path
Discover Sauerland, Siegerland and Westerwald on disused railway lines
Experience cycling through a bat tunnel, explore two rivers and three regions, and gain access to the wider Panorama Cycle Track network.
Cyclists can explore two rivers and three different regions on the Ruhr-Sieg-Radweg (Ruhr-Sieg Cycle Path). The 113 kilometre-long route has few ascents as it runs on disused railway lines in many sections. Cyclists can follow the well-signposted path to enjoy an easy ride from Meschede on the Ruhr to Kirchen on the Sieg. As well as the two rivers, the Ruhr-Sieg Cycle Path also connects the Sauerland towns of Eslohe, Finnentrop, Attendorn, Olpe, Wenden and Freudenberg, then continues through Siegerland and on to the northern Westerwald mountains.
Sights along the way include natural attractions like the Biggesee reservoir as well as interesting towns and architecture. For example, visitors can learn about the region’s industrial heritage at the DampfLandLeute museum in Eslohe, which is dedicated to the role of steam in people’s lives, or the Wendener Hütte, a former ironworks and hammer mill. The dam wall of the Biggesee and the old town in Freudenberg with its traditional half-timbered houses are further highlights and provide excellent photo opportunities. The route cuts through a mountain in two places: the Fledermaustunnel (Bat Tunnel) near Fehrenbracht and the Hohenhain Tunnel near Freudenberg, which are both former railway tunnels.
The Ruhr-Sieg Cycle Path is well connected to the wider network of cycle routes. To the north, it links up with the Ruhrtalradweg (Ruhr Valley Cycle Path) and in the south with the Siegtalradweg (Sieg Valley Cycle Path). It accompanies the Sauerlandradring (Sauerland Cycle Circuit) from Meschede to Finnentrop, and in Olpe it joins the Bergischer Panoramaradweg (Bergisch Panorama Cycle Track), which connects Sauerland and the Ruhr Area via Bergisches Land. NRW now has over 300 kilometres of Panorama Cycle Tracks running on disused railway lines – the Ruhr-Sieg Cycle Path is just one of them.