Nister-Wiesensee Tour: a large circular route around the Wiesensee

Description

The route is about 34 kilometers long; I start in the town center of Bad Marienberg. I should take some time for this place either before or after the route. There is a wildlife park and a climbing forest on the outskirts. From the nearby Hedwig Tower, I have a fantastic panoramic view of the Westerwald, the Siebengebirge, the Taunus, and the Eifel. In town, I visit the Park of the Senses and the spa park with the medicinal garden and barefoot path. Additionally, there is a basalt park to visit. The route takes me through the valley of the Schwarze Nister to Hahn and Dreisbach. Across fields and through woodlands, it continues to the Wiesensee. I reach Stahlhofen am Wiesensee with its listed old school building. The path then leads me closer and further away around the lake to Pottum. From here, I cycle on a large loop via Hellenhahn-Schellenberg (where you can see, among other things, half-timbered houses), Fehl-Ritzhausen, and Großseifen (old school building) back to Bad Marienberg.

Approach

Motorway exits:
BAB 3, Cologne – Frankfurt: Hennef/Sieg or Dierdorf
BAB 3, Frankfurt – Cologne: Limburg-Nord or Montabaur
BAB 45, Dortmund – Frankfurt: Haiger Burbach or Herborn West
From the east and west: via B414 to Bad Marienberg; from the south: via B255 to Bad Marienberg

Public transport

Train stations in Nistertal and Unnau-Korb; Bad Marienberg: Regio bus line 116 – carrying some bikes is possible.

Parking

Parking lot at the tourist information; parking lot on Gartenstraße/Bahnhofstraße below Atlas Sports Studio

Directions

I start in Bad Marienberg at the intersection of Weberstraße/Wilhelmstraße and head southwest via Bismarckstraße, later Bahnhofstraße. I approach the valley of the Schwarze Nister. A sharp turn to the left, then I continue on field paths parallel to L 293. I cross this road and reach Langenbach after some zigzag paths. After a total of around five kilometers, there is a steeper ascent; the rest of the path is easy to ride, especially with e-bikes. Most of the route runs along forest paths. I take a map with me because the signage requires some attention in places. In a large loop, I reach the Wiesensee. There are cafés and inns here, and I can swim to my heart's content. On the bike, I have to watch out for the many walkers who are also on the route. In Pottum, I turn sharply right at the end of Seestraße and ride in a wide loop back north to Bad Marienberg.

Safety instructions

Good basic fitness required.

Equipment

For bags and backpacks on a bike tour, not only the back offers space – the weight of the equipment should best be distributed over 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 on hand to be prepared for any eventuality. Besides other important equipment items, necessary tools and repair utensils should not be forgotten. At high speed, it is easy to take a wrong turn on a bike tour: orientation aids such as a traditional or modern bike map or a GPS device are useful. You should always have a small emergency kit with you.

Tips

At the Wiesensee, there is a nice café with a direct view of the lake (Café Seewies), where I like to rest. Additionally, the town of Bad Marienberg offers numerous dining options.

Literature

Combined flyer cycling/hiking, available free of charge here!

Destination

Bad Marienberg, triangle Bismarckstraße/Wilhelmstraße/Weberstraße near Hotel Westerwälder Hof

Starting Point

Bad Marienberg, triangle Bismarckstraße/Wilhelmstraße/Weberstraße near Hotel Westerwälder Hof