Traveling by Train
Traveling by Train
From Dortmund, the RE 57 usually takes you directly—without having to transfer—to the starting point of the RuhrtalRadweg in Winterberg (Winterberg (Westf) stop). Unfortunately, during the 2026 season, there will be occasional construction sites along the route that make the trip to Winterberg more difficult. Due to detours, travel times will be delayed, and we cannot always guarantee that you’ll be able to bring your bike on the SEV train. Our tips:
- Choose an alternative starting point instead of Winterberg, such as Olsberg.
- Choose an alternative way to get there, such as by caror via an organized bike transport service.
- Although we are in contact with the relevant transit authorities, we have no influence over construction planning—if in doubt, please always check with the transit authorities yourself.
Please always check your connection for the day’s latest updates before starting your trip, as individual sections of the route may be closed, requiring rail replacement service or schedule changes.
You can find up-to-date information on connections at www.zuginfo.nrw and you can also sign up there to receive email updates on route connections (such as the RE57).
The measures, detours, and closures currently known to us on the Dortmund-Winterberg rail line (RE57):
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The section between Bestwig or Olsberg and Winterberg (Westf) is not operational (as of September 10, 2026)
Depending on the time of travel, trains are currentlynot operating on the sectionfrom Bestwig or Olsberg to Winterberg (Westf). We do not know when this will end.
Until further notice, trains coming from Dortmund Central Station will terminate and originate in Bestwig or Olsberg. Please refer to the current schedule information from the relevant transit authorities!
A replacement bus service (SEV) between Bestwig or Olsberg and Winterberg (Westf) is in place until September 30, 2026; according to Deutsche Bahn’s schedule information, carrying bicycles is possible to a limited extent. To the best of our Wissen, the SEV has a bicycle trailer and runs hourly. Please check your travel connection shortly before departure.
Further information:
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Partial service suspensions on various route sections (October 30, 2026, 9:00 p.m. through November 6, 2026, 9:00 p.m.)
Due to bridge construction work, there will be partial service suspensions on trains on lines RE 7, RE 13, RE 57, and RB 53 from Oct. 30 (9:00 p.m.) and November 6, 2026 (9:00 p.m.).
Trains on the RE 7 line will experience partial service disruptions between Holzwickede and Hagen Hbf. A bus replacement service (SEV) has been set up.
In addition ,there will be partial service cancellations on RE 13 trains between Unna and Hagen Central Station.
As an alternative, take RE 7 trains to Holzwickede, where you can transfer to the bus replacement service (SEV) for the RE 7 line.
Similarly, there are partial service suspensions on the RE 57 line between Dortmund Central Station and Schwerte (Ruhr).
Alternatively, between Dortmund Central Station andDortmund-Hörde, you can use the RB 59 line or the U 41 subway line. From Dortmund-Hörde, a replacement service (SEV) has been set up between Dortmund-Hörde and Schwerte (Ruhr) .
Finally, there are partial service cancellations on the RB 53 line between Dortmund Central Station and Schwerte (Ruhr). Alternatively, you can use trains on line RB 59 or the U 41 subway line between Dortmund Central Station and Dortmund-Hörde. A replacement service (SEV) has been set up between Dortmund-Hörde and Schwerte (Ruhr) .
Start:
October 30, 2026, 9:00 PM
End:
November 6, 2026, 9:00 PM
- Information poster for RE 7, RE 13, RE 57, RB 53
- RE 57 Replacement Schedule
- Map of the replacement service (SEV) stops available for download
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Route in the Westhofen – Schwerte (Ruhr) – Holzwickede / Dortmund-Hörde area
Please note that further bridge construction work in the above-mentioned area from October 30, 2026, through November 6, 2026, may cause service disruptions. We do not currently have any further information on this.
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Closure of the rail line between Mülheim an der Ruhr and Essen:
Starting September 4, the rail line between Mülheim and Essen will be closed for nearly two months due to construction work on the tracks, overhead lines, and bridges. During this time, travelers will need to switch to replacement buses, as regional and commuter rail service will be suspended, and long-distance service will also be significantly limited in some cases.
If you are traveling to or from your destination by train and bicycle, we recommend checking the current schedule and bicycle transport options before departure and allowing a little extra time if necessary. You can find the latest information in the DB Navigator as well as at zuginfo.nrw.
Additional Bike Buses from Dortmund Central Station to Winterberg (Westphalia)
From June 19 to July 11, 2026 , additional bike buseswill once again run on Fridays and Saturdays from Dortmund Central Station to Winterberg. The additional buses are equipped with a bike trailer and run nonstop from Dortmund Central Station to Winterberg.
Service dates in detail:
June: June 19–20 and June 26–27, 2026
July: July 3–4 and July 10–11, 2026
To a limited extent, passengers without bicycles may also use this bus; however, passengers with bicycles always have priority for boarding the bicycle bus.
Note: Please also be aware of the construction work taking place simultaneously between Fröndenberg and Meschede/Bestwig.
Start:
June 19, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
End:
July 11, 2026, 2:40 p.m.
Further information:
Our tips:
- The current car order for each train is displayed on the digital screens at the platforms, in the electronic travel information system, and in the DB Navigator app. This way, you can see where the bike compartments are located even before the train arrives
- Experience shows that trains are particularly crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in the morning hours. So if you can travel at noon or in the afternoon, this option offers a more relaxed journey thanks to less crowded trains.
Days with significantly higher demand for bike spaces
Please note that during the biking season from April through October, a large number of passengers with bicycles use this line. We cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to bring your bicycle on board; this generally depends on available space.
Experience shows that there are particularly large numbers of cyclists on the move on weekends, around public holidays in May and June, and during school breaks in North Rhine-Westphalia. On these days, additional capacity is sometimes provided on trains, and extra buses with bike trailers are operated.
Alternative train route without changing trains at Dortmund Central Station
The RE 17 from Hagen toward Warburg runs parallel to the RE 57 from Dortmund between Fröndenberg and Bestwig. For cyclists traveling from the south, it makes sense to take the train from Cologne to Hagen to avoid changing trains at the heavily trafficked Dortmund Central Station. From Hagen, you can take the RE 17 to the Sauerland region and then transfer in Olsberg to continue on to Winterberg.
Information on Traveling by Train and Bicycle Transport
- Bicycle spaces on the RE 57 between Dortmund Central Station and Winterberg: at least 36 spaces.
- Bicycle spaces on the RE 17 between Hagen and Warburg (or Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe): 36 spaces
Please help us make the most efficient use of the available space on the trains by following these guidelines:
- Please park your bikes in a staggered pattern (one facing forward, the next facing backward).
- Secure your bike with the provided straps and lock it.
- Please remove your bike bags before the trip begins and take them with you to your seat. All reserved seats have luggage racks above them.
- Please do not use the empty folding seats next to your bike as seating; instead, try to find a seat in the other compartments of the train. This allows more bikes to be transported in the multipurpose compartment.
- Coordinate with your fellow passengers to determine whose bike needs to be unloaded before Winterberg. As a rule, almost everyone rides to the final station, where there is plenty of time to unload the bikes.