‘Do you wish to roam farther and farther? See! The Good lies so near.’ None other than Goethe was the inspiration for this Collection. What is this legendary German poet and novelist telling us? That you don’t have to travel far to have fun on your bike. Sometimes, a great adventure is right on your doorstep. The Rothaarsteig or the Sauerland is easy for me to reach, and thus for everyone from the Ruhr area, Westphalia, Siegerland and northern and central Germany. It’s the ideal starting point for an unforgettable micro-adventure on your mountain bike.

The idea

With this Collection, I’d like to inspire you to go on a long, action-packed bikepacking weekend. Three days are ideal, but you can also combine stages or do the Tours individually. Plan it to suit you, according to the motto: maximum adventure with the minimum time. All stage locations have been chosen so that you can find suitable accommodation or return to the starting point by public transport.

The route

The 154-kilometre (95.6 mi) Rothaarsteig Trail runs through the Rothaargebirge Nature Park. I used the route as a rough guide for this adventure. However, you don’t just follow the hiking trail. I packed everything in that makes up a great bike Tour – at least for me. You’ll explore many trails and pass beautiful highlights – from breathtaking viewpoints to rest stops.

Along the way, you’ll ride through wonderful nature. The Rothaargebirge peak rises to 842 metres (2,762 ft) and stretches from the Hochsauerland along the Rhine-Weser watershed in the Lahn-Dill district to the south. The area is not very densely populated, perfect for a nature-filled adventure. You can enjoy the varied landscapes in peace and quiet. Heathland, far-reaching views, countless springs, small rivers and reservoirs characterise your ride. As the Tours have quite a lot of elevation gain, a basic fitness level will help. Some of the trails are technically demanding, but you’ll easily master tham if you have some bike skills. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time as you won’t necessarily be cruising along fast forest tracks at 20 km/h (12 mi). ;)

Gear

Everything from cross-country bikes to enduro bikes are suitable. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable on your bike. As a lot of the route runs along trails and if you choose to take the detour to the Brilon and Winterberg trail parks, a full-suspension or enduro bike is ideal. I recommend a lightweight bikepacking set up, for example, with a large saddle bag, to pack a change of clothes and a few spare parts. A large rucksack isn’t overly practical for this Tour, but it’s possible.

Last but not least, even though the Sauerland has many bike shops, don’t rely on them. Pack the most important spare parts and a multi-tool as well as inner tubes and a pump. In case of emergency, you’ll have a long way to walk on foot to the next town with a bike shop. If you need to pick up supplies en route, head to the bike shop at Winterberg bike park.

Getting there

Dominated by the Rothaargebirge mountains, the Sauerland region has the highest elevations in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its central location attracts people from western Germany, especially the Ruhr area, as well as from northern and central Germany. Thanks to the good public transport connections, you can arrive by train rather than car. That’s a good thing for me as I don’t even have a car ;). Brilon is well connected to the larger towns in the area by regional train. From your end point in Dillenburg, you can return to Brilon by train in around three and a half hours.

Accommodation

Each stage town offers different accommodation to suit all tastes. Winterberg, a popular cycling town, has numerous offers tailored specifically to bikers. Book in advance so you don’t miss out.

Now, have fun in the bike paradise on your doorstep. I'm sure that your heart will also beat for the Sauerland when you're back.

P.S. (as of August 2022): It's been quite a while since I created this Collection. A lot has happened in our forests since then, especially in the Sauerland. Heavy equipment has been used to fell hectares of trees, changing the nature here. Many paths today no longer look as they did a few years ago. Some are totally rutted or blocked by felled trees. Therefore, please carefully plan your route and be aware that you may have to undertake some diversions.