In this article, we take you along winding roads, through picturesque villages, and over challenging hills that make Winterberg a unique destination for every cycling enthusiast. Put on your helmet, slip on your gloves, and prepare for beautiful routes just across the border in Sauerland. We have previously focused on cycling in Germany. This neighboring country is very popular with Dutch and Belgian people for good reason. The variety of routes and options is endless. The main advantage: Germany It is very close! You can make beautiful trips there, within easy and quickly accessible distance of the Dutch border.
Text and photos: Paul Hoff
Now there is an area that is very suitable for both summer and winter holidays: the Sauerland, with Winterberg as the central location. From Winterberg, there are beautiful routes to be taken on skis, something that everyone has heard of. But that this area is also very suitable for beautiful trips on a race bike, gravel bike or mountain bike is less well known. In recent years, there has been a noticeable growth in the number of Dutch people heading to the Sauerland, even outside the ski season. Summer is becoming more popular, as are spring and autumn.
Basecamp Winterberg
‘Ferienwelt Winterberg’, the Winterberg tourism association, has been increasingly focusing on cycling and hiking holidays in recent years, and you can see it reflected in the number of routes developed in collaboration with local partners. This is for cyclists and hikers alike, by the way. So if you don’t want to cycle for a day, you can always put on your ‘tough shoes’. The network is almost endless, with marked routes, but you can also let your own imagination run wild. There’s a handy website available for cyclists: www.bike-arena.de. On this site you will find a very comprehensive overview of all cycling routes in Sauerland and Winterberg. And all of this is arranged according to difficulty and length.
Do it yourself
Of course, you can decide for yourself whether to ride through the woods or on the road. From my own experience, I can say that you shouldn’t get confused about the length of the route. When you cycle for 80 km in the Netherlands alone, that’s something you don’t do very often in the Winterberg forests. The terrain and the steep paths often make it quite difficult. On short stretches, you sometimes reach up to 20% ascents and descents.
Starting point: Villa Annabelle
If you really want to have some fun in the Sauerland this year, you can do so in a lot of places. For ourselves, we have Villa Annabelle Used as a starting point. A beautiful house, located on the most beautiful road in the Sauerland. And that is the road through the Sorpetal, towards Schmallenberg. In this holiday home there is space for up to 14 people and the bicycles are neatly stored in the garage. In short, a beautiful starting point for a weekend with your cycling friends and friends.
Cycling routes in Sauerland – Komoot Collection
Are you still looking for beautiful cycling routes in the Sauerland? With this komoot collection, you have a whole bunch of beautiful cycling routes in the Sauerland on a flyer!
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.