RuhrtalRadweg - Pleasure

From the Source to the Mouth

Enjoy our full service on this tour: we’ll arrange your hotels and luggage transfer, and provide all the important information in your tour package.

From Winterberg to Duisburg: One of Germany’s most diverse and varied rivers invites you to explore an entire region by bike along its riverside paths. No other river in Germany combines culture and nature so closely within such a compact area. Over the 240 kilometers from its source near Winterberg to its mouth on the Rhine near Duisburg, the Ruhr connects the unspoiled landscape of the Sauerland with the exciting and vibrant Ruhr metropolis.

Day 1: Arrival in Winterberg
Individual travel to Winterberg and overnight stay.

Day 2: Winterberg – Arnsberg (approx. 70 km)
The Ruhrtal Bike Trail begins at the source of the Ruhr on the Ruhrkopf mountain. The ride takes you through the beautiful low-mountain landscape of the Sauerland. The Benedictine Abbey in Meschede offers carefully selected, natural products. If you’re in good shape, a detour to Mount Küppel near Freienohl is well worth it. From the summit, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the Arnsberg Forest. Overnight stay in Arnsberg. The well-preserved medieval Altstadt is unique in the region and invites you to stroll and linger.

Day 3: Arnsberg – Fröndenberg (approx. 35 km)
Near Wickede, the forested hills of the Sauerland give way to the Börde landscape along the Haarstrang. Along the Hellweg, you’ll find many old farmsteads that have stood the test of time. Arrival in Fröndenberg, the “City of Chains.”

Day 4: Fröndenberg – Witten (approx. 50 km)
The route into the Ruhrgebiet passes through Schwerte. Here, a historic grain distillery and the Mustard Museum are worth seeing. You’ll cycle along the Hengstey and Harkot lakes to Witten.

Day 5: Witten – Essen (approx. 60 km)
The next day begins with a highlight of the Ruhr region: the Nachtigall Coal Mine in Muttental. Here you’ll experience the roots of Ruhr mining and even venture into a real coal seam. Cycling along the Kemnader Reservoir, you’ll reach Hattingen. Here, not only is the historic Altstadt worth seeing, but also the former Henrichshütte. On the way to your hotel in Essen, it’s worth making a detour to Villa Hügel.

Day 6: Essen – Duisburg (approx. 30 km)
At Baldeneysee, you’ll find many remnants of the early days of Ruhr mining. In Werden, St. Ludgerus Abbey and the beautiful Altstadt of this over 1,200-year-old village are sure to impress. Between Kettwig and Duisburg, the RuhrtalRadweg runs for 14 kilometers through the city of Mülheim. There’s plenty of nature here, as only a small portion of the Ruhr riverbank is built up, along with a historic water tower housing a water museum and the Broich and Schloss Styrum castles. Duisburg, where the Ruhr flows into the Rhine, is home to Europe’s largest inland port.

Day 7: Return Trip
Individual return trip

Conclusion: Plenty of adventure and attractions combined with beautiful nature!

Prices for 2026:
€869 per person in a double room
€1,129 per person in a single room
for arrivals by April 14 or on or after October 3:
€749 per person in a double room
€1,009 per person in a single room

Included in the price:

• 6 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in comfortable mid-range hotels with shower/toilet
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel to Duisburg (1 piece of luggage per person)
• One tour package per room, including a roadbook, cycling map, and tips for trip preparation
• Digital route guidance via smartphone app
• Travel insurance certificate
• Accommodation tax
• City tax

Optional extras:

• Table reservations at the respective hotels
• Train ride from Duisburg to Winterberg via local transit (SchönerTagTicket NRW), duration approx. 4–4.5 hours, 1–4 transfers. Cost: €56.60 flat rate for up to 5 people per ticket, €5.90 per bike—timetables will be sent with the travel documents (prices as of December 2025)
• Bus transfer for passengers, bicycles, and luggage from Duisburg to Winterberg, 10:00 a.m., duration approx. 2.5 hours, €175.00 per person
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, with bicycle coverage if applicable

Number of Participants & Dates
2 or more people (at least two full-paying participants)
Travel dates: whenever you have the time and feel like it

Information & Booking

Tour de Ruhr GmbH
Emscherstraße 71
47137 Duisburg
Phone: 0203 / 429 19 19; Fax: 0203 / 429 19 45
info@tour-de-ruhr.de
www.tour-de-ruhr.de
www.facebook.com/TourdeRuhr