Main route (A): sporting mountain bike tour with smaller as well as three big climbs

Description

On the nearly 46 kilometers of this tour, three strong and some small climbs await you as well as the suitable descents. The beauty of nature is overwhelming and makes the ride pure pleasure. Moreover, the occasional glance at the villages is worthwhile. The Protestant Kreuzkirche in Betzdorf impresses. There are also picturesque houses. Important is the bike race Betzdorfer City-Night held every two years. Also interesting is the fairly new Backes (community bakery) in Offhausen. In Herdorf, the Protestant and Catholic parish churches are worth a visit. There are also beautiful half-timbered houses and a striking war memorial. One of the supposedly most beautiful baroque churches in the Westerwald is the Protestant parish church in Daaden. The weather vane was designed as an angel. The Steinhaus Alte Post with local history museum is also worth seeing. In Schutzbach, the rare mineral euchroite was found, unique in Germany. In Alsdorf, there are several half-timbered houses; moreover, there is a war memorial from around 1900 located north in the forest.

Approach

• From Cologne: take A4 to Siegener Str. in Freudenberg, take exit 20-Freudenberg on A45
• From Frankfurt: follow A5 and A45 to B255 in Herborn, take exit 26-Herborn-West on A45
• From Siegen: via B62

Public transport

• Sieg route (Cologne - Au/Sieg - Betzdorf - Siegen): Betzdorf
• Daadetalbahn (Betzdorf - Daaden): Schutzbach, Niederdreisbach, Biersdorf, Daaden
• Hellertalbahn: Alsdorf, Königstollen, Herdorf

Parking

Parking spaces available in the town center of Betzdorf

Directions

The route begins in Betzdorf at the intersection of Bahnhofstraße and Kirchstraße. The path leads southeast initially between the forest edge and houses. At the street Imhäusertal, I turn left. It goes through the forested animal protection area Westerwald over Herkersdorf and Offhausen up to Hundskopf near Dermbach. In a small wave, I ride around Herdorf and again uphill towards Kohlenberg. I cross Daaden from east to west, turn northwards to Biersdorf, and head south again. Towards Galgenberg, the route climbs, I circle Oberdreisbach, brush past Weitefeld on the way north and cycle downhill again. Before Schutzbach, I reach the highest point of the tour (505 meters), then it goes downhill for a long time until I reach Alsdorf and subsequently my start and finish point Betzdorf again. The circular route runs on gravel, natural, as well as on asphalt paths. Some short sections should be ridden as single-trails because they go downhill on rough surfaces (gradient 20 percent).

Safety instructions

Very good fitness required. Basic technical knowledge is sufficient.

Equipment

For bags and backpacks on a bike tour, not only the back offers space – the weight of the equipment should best be distributed across several body and bike parts. Wind, rain, or sun can lead to very different temperature sensations on the bike – a cold can best be avoided with professional cycling clothing. On a multi-day tour, you should always have suitable change clothes at hand to be prepared for any eventuality. Besides other important equipment items, the necessary tools and repair utensils should not be forgotten. At high speeds, it is easy to take a wrong turn on a bike tour: traditional and modern aids such as a cycling map or a GPS device serve as orientation. You should always have a small emergency kit with you.

Tips

In Sassenroth (between Alsdorf and Herdorf), an old mine awaits visitors. On the way, the ride also passes some disused pits.

Literature

• Combination flyer Cycling/Hiking, available free of charge here
• KOMPASS Cycling/Hiking map Westerwald (North), 1:50,000, ISBN: 978-3-00-065928-7

Destination

Alsdorf: Intersection Imhäuserstraße

Starting Point

Alsdorf: Intersection Imhäuserstraße