Altenkirchen bike loop – valley landscapes around Altenkirchen

Description

The Altenkirchen bike loop leads from the Wied valley up to Beulskopf, a former basalt cone, which at 368 m above sea level is still one of the highest points in the Altenkirchen-Flammersfeld collective municipality today. From the Raiffeisen tower there, I have a panoramic view over the Westerwald, the Eifel, and the Bergisches Land. On a wonderful gentle descent starting from Birnbach, my bike carries me almost without pedaling for several kilometers through the winding Birnbach valley to the Wied. The southern ridge in the area of Stürzelbach, Fluterschen, Oberwambach, and Gieleroth then leads back up to 330 meters in elevation, with beautiful viewpoints into the vastness of the Westerwald. The routing of the Altenkirchen bike loop is a combination of 4 smaller bike routes. This way I can also shorten my route at various points and return to my starting point via marked paths.

Public transport

Good travel options by train from the direction of Cologne/Bonn, Siegen, or Limburg
Timetable information: https://www.vrminfo.de/

Parking

Free park and ride parking lots at the station, Konrad-Adenauer-Platz, 57610 Altenkirchen

Directions

Starting at Altenkirchen station, head towards the town center. Behind the railway tracks, I get to the Weyerdamm parking lot through the underpass and immediately turn left into the Parc de Tarbes.
The route leads me along the Erbach to Dieperzen, where I meet the also marked route 6, which leads me along the railway embankment to Obererbach. Through a railway underpass, I first go to Niedererbach and from here continue to the district Hacksen. From the main road towards Eichelhardt, I turn left after about 900 m to Volkerzen. There, I cross narrow paths at the bus shelter towards the forest and meet a small connecting road to Hilgenroth (turn left here). Just before Hilgenroth, on the right, is the village of Marienthal with a former Franciscan monastery from the year 1666 (a detour well worth it for those interested in history). Over a ridge path, I now pass Hilgenroth to the district Beul, with its widely visible Raiffeisen observation tower. On a gravel forest road, I head towards Ölsen and soon reach the so-called 'Old Coal Road,' which for many centuries was an important transport route for coal and ore (turn left here towards Wölmersen). Past the 'New Life Center,' I bypass Wölmersen and reach Birnbach, from where I can now also follow the signposts of route 5. Past the old Romanesque church in Birnbach, the route goes down to Hemmelzen and continues to Neitersen (one of the most beautiful valley sections on the bike loop). On the B 256 in Neitersen, I turn right after about 500 m and cross the railway tracks and the Wied. From here, route 4 also accompanies me. Past the old cinema and former mill, the route now goes up a hollow way towards the forest until a wide forest path crosses. Here I turn left and after about 230 m, descend to the meadow valley of the Breibach. A short section on the road then leads me uphill to the L 267 (locally called 'Langguck' due to the straight course). Through small village streets, I go through Stürzelbach and Mahlert to Fluterschen, where I immediately turn right again at the bus turning point up to the agricultural property 'Brauershof.' Before entering the forest, I still enjoy the great wide view over the Wied valley. From the middle of Oberwambach, I now follow the marked route 7, which leads me over the small village Herpteroth to Gieleroth and to the B 8. Over the so-called Herzberg, with its forest, I descend again into the Wied valley, to the district Widderstein. Following the river course, I go through Michelbach into the natural meadow valley. I soon reach Heimstraße and am back at the starting point, Altenkirchen station, within a few minutes.

Equipment

We recommend bringing binoculars so that the many beautiful viewpoints can be perceived even better.

Tips

Small shops and ice cream parlors, a regional store with about 120 producers from the area, and diverse gastronomy in Altenkirchen make a visit worthwhile.

Destination

Park and ride parking lot at the station, Konrad-Adenauer-Platz, 57610 Altenkirchen

Starting Point

Park and ride parking lot at the station, Konrad-Adenauer-Platz, 57610 Altenkirchen