- Family-friendly
- Circular Trail
Ore and Water Tour
Tour starting point:
Bestwig, Junction 20
Tour destination point:
Bestwig, Junction 20
Properties:
Category
regionale RadtourLength
48.4 kmDuration
3:15 hElevation ascent
557 mElevation descent
555 mLowest point
259 mHighest point
521 mCondition
Difficulty
Recommended seasons
The Ore and Water Tour, a family-friendly loop trail, begins in Bestwig and initially follows a former railroad right-of-way—known locally as the “Bähnchen”—through Heringhausen to Ramsbeck. This historic route was once used to transport ore mined in Ramsbeck to Bestwig. A visit to the Sauerland Visitor Mine offers the opportunity to take a ride on the original mine train. There, knowledgeable miners provide vivid and in-depth insights into the history of ore mining.
The route then continues through the picturesque Valmetal valley to Bödefeld, leads via Westernbödefeld to Remblinghausen, and finally reaches the Hennesee vacation village in Mielinghausen. The route runs along the eastern shore of Lake Hennesee, with the option to enjoy a relaxing stretch of the journey aboard the MS Hennesee. Bicycle transport is available on this leg of the route.
Starting from Hennedamm, the route continues to Meschede, where the tour joins the RuhrtalRadweg. In Velmede, restored sections of the Ruhr’s banks and benches located there offer opportunities for rest. The final section leads cyclists back to the starting point in Bestwig.
Information
Directions
Junction sequence: 20 – 53 – 25 – 24 – 27 – 23 – 22 – 20Since 2015, the entire Sauerland region has been signposted using the junction system:www.radeln-nach-zahlen.de/de/Das-Konzept
Equipment
Safety guidelines
A system of emergency stops has been installed throughout the region (Soest District, Hochsauerland District, Märkischer Kreis, Olpe District, and Siegen-Wittgenstein District). You can find these emergency stops, among other places, on the information signs at the intersections of the Südwestfalen bicycle network.
Author Tip
How about a quick trip underground? At the Ramsbeck Visitor Mine in the Sauerland region—the adventure mine near Bestwig—guests, equipped with helmets and protective clothing, ride the mine train 1.5 kilometers deep into the mountain.
Literature
The BVA Cycling Guide "Old Railroad Rights-of-Way in the Sauerland" 1:50,000: €14.95 (plus €2.50 for packaging and shipping) includes not only a description of the route but also additional information about the sights along the way.
Maps
BVA ADFC Regional Map of the Sauerland (with junction system) 1:75,000: €8.95 (€2.50 for packaging and shipping; €3.70 for international shipping)
BVA Cycling Guide: Old Railroad Trails in the Sauerland 1:50,000: €14.95 (plus €2.50 for packaging and shipping; international shipping €3.70)
Public transit
Take the train to Bestwig. There are connections from Dortmund, Hagen, Kassel, and Winterberg.
How to get there
Bestwig Train Station
Parking
There are several parking lots in the immediate vicinity of the Bestwig train station.