- Refreshment stop
- Circular route
Border Ridge Trail
Tour starting point:
Willingen Visitor Center, Am Hagen 10, 34508 Willingen (Upland)
Tour destination point:
Willingen Visitor Center, Am Hagen 10, 34508 Willingen (Upland)
Properties:
Category
Mountain bike tourLength
39.9 kmDuration
3:55 hElevation ascent
895 mElevation descent
897 mLowest point
472 mHighest point
836 mCondition
Difficulty
Recommended seasons
The Grenzkamm Trail in Willingen reveals the striking changes to the landscape caused by storm Kyrill in January 2007. At that time, wind speeds of over 200 kilometers per hour uprooted large areas of trees and formed new, expansive views. Where previously dense fir trees dominated, there is now an extensive panoramic view over the Sauerland. These unique panoramas, the result of a profound natural event, shape the character of the regional cycle tour. The circular route leads along varied paths, ranging from rooty sections to rapid gravel descents and moderate climbs. There are also opportunities to stop for refreshments along the route to enrich the tour. Meanwhile, nature gradually begins to reclaim the open spaces that have been created, allowing you to experience the dynamic development of the forest landscape.
Information
Directions
Around Willingen: First we cycle through the Strycktal valley, up to the Hillekopf. A rooty trail leads us to the former "Toter Mann" coal pile. We have reached our altitude for the first part and so we continue flowing over the Neuer Hagen nature conservation area to the Langenberg (highest mountain in NRW 847 m). On the Willingen side, we ride down a racy gravel descent into the Brilon valley and then along the railroad tracks to Brilon Wald. At a monastery, the route climbs steeply up a trail to the Brilon Wald Klink. After a long climb, we cycle a leisurely ascent to the mountain "Zum Hohen Eimberg". Looking to the right, we are always amazed at how beautiful the Sauerland is. At the top of the mountain, the Grenzweg is another trail highlight. We cycle along the border for about half of the way and then take the W 8 hiking trail into the Diemel valley. Riding in the direction of Schwalefeld, we head up one last hill to the Orenberg. We take another look at Willingen before riding a very challenging downhill back to Willingen.
Equipment
We recommend a helmet, functional cycling clothing suitable for the weather, a rucksack with food and drink, sufficient fluids (water, tea), an air pump, a repair kit and a multi-tool.
Maps
RaderlebnisPark Diemelsee & Bikewelt Willingen, scale 1:38,000, mr-kartographie, Gotha, ISBN 978-3-86636-937-5
Public transit
Bus/train to Willingen station, continue by shared cab (AST) to the visitor center stop or a 10-minute walk to the starting point at the visitor center
How to get there
From Bremen/Münster: A1 to Dortmund/Unna - A44 to Werl junction - A445/A46 to Bestwig freeway end - B7 towards Brilon - after Nuttlar L 743 to Olsberg/Elleringhausen - B251 to Willingen
From Hamburg/Hanover: A2 to Bielefeld, A33 towards Paderborn to the end of the highway - B480 to Brilon - B251 to Willingen
From Frankfurt: A 5 to Gießen-Südkreuz - Gießener Ring to Marburg - Frankenberg - Korbach - B251 to Willingen From Munich/Würzburg: A 7 towards Kassel - A 44 to Zierenberg exit - B251 Korbach - Willingen
From Dortmund: A44 to Werl junction - A445/A46 to Bestwig freeway exit - B7 towards Brilon - after Nuttlar L 743 to Olsberg/Elleringhausen - B251 to Willingen From Kassel: A 44 to Zierenberg exit - B251 Korbach - Willingen
Parking
Free parking at the visitor center/lagoon pool