Godmothers and Godfathers
Commitments to the RuhrtalRadweg
City of Winterberg
Michael Beckmann, Mayor of Winterberg
“We are very pleased that, with the Ruhr Spring, we are not only the official starting point of the RuhrtalRadweg for so many people of all ages, but also the starting point for unforgettable bike tours. The RuhrtalRadweg is a place where friendship and family come together. Thanks to its diversity, this bike trail is fascinatingly unique and an absolute highlight that has taken cycling tourism in North Rhine-Westphalia to a whole new level. We are very much looking forward to welcoming cycling enthusiasts from all over Germany and beyond again in the coming years and sending them off into the valley from the source of the Ruhr.”
City of Olsberg
Patrick Potthoff, Mayor of Olsberg
“Anyone riding a bike along the RuhrtalRadweg is doing something good for their health. And when it comes to health, you’ve come to the right place here in the town of Olsberg. Did you know that Olsberg is the oldest Kneipp spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia? You can experience this classic and highly effective health philosophy in a very modern way here—for example, on the Kneipp Activity Trail with its rest areas, at AquaOlsberg, and throughout the town. Stop by and see for yourself that the town of Olsberg is good for you.”
Town of Beswig
Christoph Rosenau, Mayor of Bestwig
"Mining – nature – adventure – these are the things that define our town of Bestwig. You can find all of these together along the RuhrtalRadweg. Here in Bestwig, the trail winds right through nature, past Halden and a former slate mine. The route continues along a stretch of the Ruhr River that we restored to its natural state a few years ago. Stop there, observe the flora and fauna—and discover just how beautiful it is here in Bestwig.”
City of Meschede
Christoph Weber, Mayor of Meschede, a district and university town
“The RuhrtalRadweg is a fantastic, varied, and very diverse route that never gets boring—as a passionate cyclist, I know this very well. There’s plenty to discover here in Meschede, our district and university town, as well as right along the bike path—for example, in our modern pedestrian zone, which invites you to linger, shop, or simply enjoy yourself. Stop by and visit us in Meschede—we look forward to seeing you!”
City of Arnsberg
Ralf Paul Bittner, Mayor of Arnsberg
Since its opening in 2006, the RuhrtalRadweg has been a guaranteed success for tourism in our region and our city of Arnsberg. This is due in no small part to the truly excellent cooperation among the neighboring municipalities in the marketing and infrastructure working groups. The guiding principle of these working groups has always been: “Don’t rest on our laurels, but continue to work on our success and, above all, on the quality of the river bike path!” The city of Arnsberg alone is responsible for maintaining a good 30 km of the bike path, making it the municipality with the largest share of the route. Every season, Arnsberg looks forward to the revitalization of the city brought by numerous cycling tourists, who enjoy making Arnsberg their first stop on the route, starting at the source of the Ruhr in Winterberg. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of the RuhrtalRadweg.
Ense Municipality
Rainer Busemann, Mayor of the Municipality of Ense
“The RuhrtalRadweg is a great asset to the municipality of Ense. The RuhrtalRadweg also offers smaller municipalities, such as Ense, the opportunity to explore the Ruhrgebiet and the Sauerland by bike. Through collaboration with the partner organizations of the RuhrtalRadweg, an attractive bike trail featuring stunning views and a wide variety of experiences has been created in recent years. In the area around Ense, cyclists can explore tranquil villages, fields, and floodplain landscapes, as well as the expansive Arnsberg Forest. We look forward to continuing to improve and maintain the RuhrtalRadweg in the future.”
Municipality of Wickede (Ruhr)
Alexander Heine, Mayor of Wickede (Ruhr)
“The RuhrtalRadweg is a real asset for us in every way. Along the restored Ruhr River, an idyllic recreational area has been created for our residents. At the same time, many people stop here to rest, enjoy nature, and strike up conversations with one another. In this way, the trail has also become a place for people to meet. We’re working to further enhance the quality of the experience—for example, by adding play areas for families with children.”
City of Menden
Dr. Roland Schröder, Mayor of Menden
“Menden is a proud part of the 240-kilometer-long RuhrtalRadweg. Twenty-three municipalities are working together across municipal boundaries toward the same goal: bicycle tourism! Last year, we made significant progress together on the Menden section. We’ve gained a new partner right along the RuhrtalRadweg. In addition, we’ve followed through on the “1st tap-water-friendly long-distance bike trail” designation and installed another drinking water fountain in Menden, also right along the RuhrtalRadweg.”
City of Fröndenberg
Sabina Müller, Mayor of Fröndenberg
“The RuhrtalRadweg runs for a good 13 kilometers through the city of Fröndenberg. These are 13 kilometers of varied routes winding through nature reserves, residential areas, and inviting dining options around the newly redesigned Fröndenberg market square. The RuhrtalRadweg Charter is a true initiative focused on service and quality. It brings together the project partners and sets as one of its key goals the mission of offering cyclists an exciting journey from Winterberg to Duisburg. We’re on board—we live and breathe the RuhrtalRadweg!”
City of Iserlohn
Michael Joithe, Mayor of Iserlohn
“Although the section of the RuhrtalRadweg within Iserlohn’s city limits is only about 3,000 meters long, those 3,000 meters offer pure enjoyment of nature—from the Sieben-Zeichen Bridge along the Ruhr floodplains to the Wellenbad. It is not only a symbol of successful intermunicipal cooperation but also the ideal cycling route connecting the Ruhrgebiet and the Sauerland, combining the best of both worlds—nature and industrial heritage—in an active way. Via the connection to the RUHR-LENNE-Achter or the Baartal Bike Path, many cycling tourists have already made their way from the northern part of Iserlohn to the historic Maste-Barendorf factory complex, into the city center, or even to the southern part of Iserlohn.”
City of Schwerte
Dimitrios Axourgos, Mayor of Schwerte
“I am very pleased that the twelve kilometers of the RuhrtalRadweg that run through our city are part of the 240-kilometer cycling route connecting the Sauerland and the Ruhrgebiet. Schwerte benefits from this in terms of tourism. I expect further improvements from the 2026 RuhrtalRadweg Charter and the cooperative partnership that signed this charter in 2022—as we all know, unity is strength. This will ensure that our RuhrtalRadweg remains an ADFC four-star quality bike route.”
City of Hagen
Dennis Rehbein, Mayor of Hagen
“The RuhrtalRadweg is a major flagship project for Hagen, and we are proud to be part of this strong collaborative partnership. The combination of nature, industrial history, and urban space also symbolizes the bridge between the Ruhrgebiet and the Sauerland. This bike path is a key driver of sustainable tourism and quality of life in the region. It brings visitors to our city, boosts the restaurant industry and the local economy, and at the same time offers the residents of Hagen an attractive space for exercise and recreation.”
City of Dortmund
Alexander Kalouti, Mayor of Dortmund
“For Dortmund, the RuhrtalRadweg is far more than just a tourist attraction: It connects our city with the region, promotes sustainable mobility, local recreation, and tourism, and brings people together along the Ruhr River. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 20th anniversary. This project demonstrates what strong collaboration can achieve and serves as an incentive to continue on this path together. I look forward to the next kilometers of this success story.”
City of Herdecke
Iris Stalzer, Mayor of Herdecke
The RuhrtalRadweg is a real asset for Herdecke. Thanks to the trail, numerous visitors and cyclists are discovering our historic old town, strolling through our downtown, and treating themselves to a break at the many restaurants and cafés in our city. In addition to the restaurants, local retailers are also benefiting from these visitors. The RuhrtalRadweg helps ensure that Herdecke is recognized as a recreational destination by hikers, water sports enthusiasts, and weekend day-trippers alike.”
City of Wetter (Ruhr)
Frank Hasenberg, Mayor of Wetter (Ruhr)
“Discover the landscape and history by bike: The RuhrtalRadweg, which winds leisurely along Lake Harkort, through the Schöntal Valley, and along the restored banks of the Ruhr River to Wengern, offers both. In addition to the beauty of nature, there are many exciting sights right along the route. Whether following in the footsteps of industrial pioneer Harkort in Freiheit or famous cookbook author Davidis in the historic village center of Wengern—Wetter (Ruhr) has a lot to offer: Come visit us!”
City of Witten
Lars König, Mayor of Witten
The RuhrtalRadweg is one of the most attractive long-distance bike trails in Germany. This is due in no small part to the central Ruhrtal and the Witten section, which winds through the Muttental—a region rich in mining history, excitement, and variety—and along the scenic Ruhr floodplains. The city of Witten benefits greatly from the RuhrtalRadweg’s popularity among tourists. The RuhrtalRadweg has also become highly significant for everyday cycling in Witten and represents an important addition to the city’s cycling network. That is why we, too, must continue to invest in the quality of the routes and in improving connections to the city’s neighborhoods and the downtown area in order to meet the growing demands of bicycle traffic. The RuhrtalRadweg Charter symbolizes the strong collaborative partnership behind the RuhrtalRadweg. Together, we aim to enhance the quality of this long-distance cycle route. The city of Witten will do its part to achieve this.
City of Bochum
Jörg Lukat, Mayor of Bochum
“As mayor, I am pleased to represent Bochum among the sponsors of the RuhrtalRadweg. We are happy to support this strong community project. The route through our city impressively showcases our diverse landscape and boosts tourism, sustainable mobility, and Bochum’s appeal.”
City of Hattingen
Melanie Witte-Lonsing, Mayor of Hattingen
"Twenty years of the RuhrtalRadweg—that’s a success story we’ve written together with other municipalities! This collaboration is a fine example of intermunicipal cooperation, characterized by reliability and continuity.
I am proud that Hattingen is part of this magnificent bike route connecting Winterberg and Duisburg, linking picturesque landscapes with significant industrial heritage.
Through new, forward-looking projects, we in Hattingen are also working to enhance the appeal of this major tourist attraction.”
City of Essen
Thomas Kufen, Mayor of Essen
“In Essen, a wide variety of bike tours invite you to take extended excursions. The RuhrtalRadweg, which extends far beyond the city limits, has proven to be the backbone of bicycle tourism over the 20 years of its existence. Riders can enjoy a varied route: industrial heritage such as the Heinrich Coal Mine headframe, Baldeneysee—the largest reservoir in the Ruhr region—wooded hilly landscapes, and charming town centers like Werden and Kettwig are all waiting to be discovered.”
City of Mülheim an der Ruhr
Marc Buchholz, Mayor of Mülheim an der Ruhr
“It has become a true success story: The RuhrtalRadweg, which opened in 2006 and is one of the most popular long-distance bike trails, runs 14 km through our city and, with tens of thousands of day-trippers and overnight guests each year, is a major economic driver and a key contributor to our city’s image. That is why we, as the City of Mülheim, together with Mülheimer Stadtmarketing und Tourismus GmbH (MST), have committed ourselves to further developing the RuhrtalRadweg and ensuring its long-term viability. My special thanks go to Ruhr Tourismus GmbH, which is paving the way for this with the RuhrtalRadweg Charter.”
City of Oberhausen
Thorsten Berg, Mayor of Oberhausen
“For20 years, the RuhrtalRadweg has been a symbol of active intermunicipal cooperation, sustainable mobility, and tourism development in Oberhausen. It connects our city with the entire Ruhr region, strengthens the local economy, and opens up numerous opportunities for leisure and recreation. Residents can experience Oberhausen in an active, nature-oriented, and culturally enriching way, while discovering the city as part of a unique cycling region.”
City of Duisburg
Sören Link, Mayor of Duisburg
“The RuhrtalRadweg follows the Ruhr River from its source near Winterberg to the Rheinorange in Duisburg-Ruhrort. Since 2006, cyclists have been able to experience (industrial) culture and nature on one of the most beautiful river bike trails. Together, we will make this tourist highlight even more beautiful.”
Hochsauerland District
Thomas Grosche, District Administrator of the Hochsauerland District
“The origins of the RuhrtalRadweg lie not only geographically in the Hochsauerland District: In 2010, the Sauerland Mountain Club (SGV) proposed the bike trail to the Hochsauerland District. Later, in close cooperation with Ruhr Tourismus GmbH (RTG) and the Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR), the current route was finalized, a feasibility study was conducted, and the RuhrtalRadweg was opened in April 2006. Since then, this concept has developed into a flagship project among the approximately 200 tourist river bike paths in Germany. The low-mountain landscape in the Hochsauerland district is a paradise for cyclists. Ever since the rise of e-mobility in cycling, the bicycle has become a serious alternative to the car in the hilly Sauerland region, even beyond the Ruhrtal. Here, too, the RuhrtalRadweg serves as a vital link for everyday cycling. A bicycle is only as stable as each individual spoke, and the hub holds everything together! That’s why the strong collaboration with local governments and partners, along with the commitment to further promote this unique river trail, is a very special part of this success story. A success story that also generates significant economic benefits for the hotel, restaurant, and retail sectors.”
Märkischer Kreis
Marco Voge, District Administrator of the Märkischer Kreis
A Märkischer Perspective on the RuhrtalRadweg The RuhrtalRadweg is one of the most beautiful river bike trails in Germany. The 240-kilometer route connects the Sauerland with the Ruhrgebiet, offering a unique blend of nature and industrial heritage. Along the way, the RuhrtalRadweg also touches the northern edge of the Märkischer Kreis, passing through Iserlohn and Menden. Anyone wishing to explore a part of the Märkische Sauerland with its rolling landscape and idyllic valleys of the Lenne, Baarbach, Oese, and Hönne rivers can take a short detour from the RuhrtalRadweg via the RUHR-LENNE-Achter. Special highlights along the way include the Pater and Nonne rock towers in Letmathe, as well as the Dechenhöhle cave with the German Cave Museum in Iserlohn. And, of course, there are other points of interest along the way, such as the Sauerlandpark Hemer and the Felsenmeer Hemer, or the Altstadt in Menden. So a bike tour is definitely worth it!
Soest District
Heinrich Frieling, District Administrator of Soest District
“The RuhrtalRadweg is a prime example of successful intermunicipal cooperation and a true success story. As a bike-friendly district and a member of the Working Group of Pedestrian- and Bike-Friendly Districts in North Rhine-Westphalia, we are proud to be part of this success story. Anyone traveling along the RuhrtalRadweg can continue exploring our beautiful Soest District with its diverse attractions via the QuerFeldLand premium bike route and the MöhnetalRadweg.”
Unna District
Mario Löhr, District Administrator of the Unna District
“I am pleased that we have developed the RuhrtalRadweg into a major tourist attraction in North Westfalen. This bike trail is of great importance to the Unna District, as cycling is highly valued in our region. This successful partnership allows us to benefit from one another and live up to our commitment to maintaining a RuhrtalRadweg that remains a lasting attraction, ensuring that we continue to be recognized as an attractive cycling region. I am grateful for the many years of excellent cooperation and look forward to many more successful years.”
Ennepe-Ruhr District
Jan-Christoph Schaberick, District Administrator of the Ennepe-Ruhr District
“This year, the RuhrtalRadweg is celebrating its 20th anniversary: two decades during which cycling enthusiasts have been able to experience a unique blend of nature, industrial heritage, and cultural history. The approximately 40-kilometer route through the Ennepe-Ruhr District connects nature, attractive rest stops right by the river—such as the lock keeper’s cottage—and exciting highlights like Lake Hengstey and Lake Harkort, the Nachtigall and Henrichshütte coal mine museums, and the historic Altstadt of Hattingen.
As a district, we are proud to be part of this success story and thank everyone who supports the RuhrtalRadweg with such dedication.
Set out on the RuhrtalRadweg and experience for yourself what makes the RuhrtalRadweg so special for cycling enthusiasts!”
Sauerland Tourism Association
Dr. Jürgen Fischbach, Executive Director of Sauerland-Tourismus e.V.
“The development of the RuhrtalRadweg also marked the beginning of cycling tourism in the Sauerland. Hardly anyone would have believed that the Sauerland, as a low mountain range region, was suited for this type of tourism. Today, we are not only one of the most popular destinations for competitive cycling, but also a very attractive region for recreational cycling. The RuhrtalRadweg is our flagship product in this regard. However, this also comes with a great responsibility to maintain the high quality of the RuhrtalRadweg—and we intend to work together sustainably to achieve this in the coming years.”
Ruhr Tourism, LLC
Axel Biermann, Managing Director of Ruhr Tourismus GmbH
“For me, the RuhrtalRadweg is, above all, cooperation in action! At Ruhr Tourismus GmbH, it has been a daily pleasure for us—since the trail’s inception in 2006—to work with this strong project community to build on what has been tried and tested and to develop new, exciting projects centered around the RuhrtalRadweg. Working as equals with all partner organizations is crucial to the continued success of this high-quality route! A partnership doesn’t get any more exciting than this!”