Helmenzen - AK bike route 5 "From valley to valley"

Description

This circular bike route is a great route to experience the gently rolling landscape around Altenkirchen. Every 10 minutes we experience a different landscape, repeatedly diving into new stream and river valleys. Gastronomy in Helmenzen, Hemmelzen or Altenkirchen invite you to take a break, and if we want to get a little culture, we stop at the Romanesque churches in Birnbach or Almersbach. The route also passes Altenkirchen station, where we could also start if arriving by train.

From Birnbach to Neitersen, it goes for about 5 km only downhill: small curves like the meandering stream, rock outcrops and a natural meadow landscape make the ride a lasting experience.

Almost at the end, we pass through a deep small valley: the "Monkey Swing", whose passage has the effect of a large ship swing. The tingling in the stomach tempts us to turn around and go again immediately.

Approach

Helmenzen is located on the B8, only about 2 km west of the Altenkirchen town centre.

Public transport

Via the Sieg line (Cologne/Bonn - Windeck/Au - Siegen) and transfer in Au, you can reach Altenkirchen by train. From Siegen, there is even a direct line (RB 90). From the Frankfurt direction, it is also possible to get to Altenkirchen by regional train via Limburg. An overview of trains to Altenkirchen can be found here.

You can start the circular route directly from Altenkirchen station or reach the starting point in Helmenzen in less than 10 minutes via the bike route signage.

Parking

Free parking at the country inn Westerwälder Hof, Zum Galgenberg 3, 57612 Helmenzen

At the start from Altenkirchen, you will also find free parking at the station.

Directions

The route first leads through forest and meadow terrain down to the Ölfener stream valley. Uphill again towards B 8, we reach the village of Birnbach, which is regionally known for its Romanesque church surrounded by old trees. The church from the 11th century is a typical representative of the cross-aisle-free, three-aisled, flat-roofed pillar basilicas, which are found on the right bank of the Rhine in the Westerwald and Oberberg regions.

Shortly after leaving the village, we see an old mine entrance on the left, reminding of ore mining in the 19th century. Access is unfortunately not possible due to mine water and to protect bats.

At Hemmelzen, we leave the main road for a short stretch to continue directly in the Birnbach valley via side paths. Then we follow the winding course of the road, which fits idyllically between the forest slope and the stream valley. Those who watch carefully can also recognize the old mill on the left of the Birnbach, after which the opposite mountain "Mühlenberg" is named.

After the incomparable valley ride, we reach Neitersen, from where it now goes into the Wied valley (turnoff towards the Neitersen cinema). We come to Schöneberg, a very old village that already had importance as a church community in the 12th century. Its former church (probably also of Romanesque origin) was, however, lost to fire in 1854.

Near the church, there was once a small castle that, after remodeling in the 18th century, was still used as a hunting lodge.

Through the wide Wied stream valley, we reach Almersbach after about 2 kilometres, where we cross the Wied below the village. Historians might find it interesting to take a short detour to the Romanesque church above. It dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and was of great importance as a pilgrim station. The interior and various old frescoes from this period are still very well preserved.

The bike route continues through the town of Altenkirchen and reaches Parc de Tarbes, named after the French partner city Tarbes. In the Erbach valley, it goes off main roads to Dieperzen. There we leave the valley and ride a bit uphill to the K 40 (connecting road Altenkirchen – Hilgenroth). Through the stream valleys of Busenhausen and Kettenhausen, it goes back to Helmenzen.

The many small valley locations in this landscape are particularly striking and make the landscape especially varied.

Beyond Kettenhausen, there is still a small attraction for adventurous cyclists: the "Monkey Swing", a deep small valley whose passage has the effect of a large ship swing.

Tips

From May to October, the museum barn in Helmenzen is also open on Sundays. It is located right at the starting point of our route.

Literature

Topographic map 1:25,000, sheet 1, Northern Westerwald, 5th edition 2015, cost: 3 Euro
available at the Flammersfeld town hall or at the UNIKUM regional shop, Bahnhofstr. 26, 57610 Altenkirchen

Destination

Parking lot at the country inn Westerwälder Hof, 57612 Helmenzen

Starting Point

Parking lot at the country inn Westerwälder Hof, 57612 Helmenzen