Scheuerberg loop (E): challenging mountain bike route through the forest southwest of Betzdorf

Description

Betzdorf, the largest town in the Altenkirchen district, offers several interesting festivals if I ride this route in the respective seasons. These include the Spring Festival in May, the Marksmen's Festival in early September, the Barbara Festival in October, and the Christmas Market on the second Advent weekend. I am also very interested in the Betzdorf City-Night. This attractive bike race through the city center takes place every two years with the participation of well-known racing cyclists. In Alsdorf, I can view numerous half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries during a walk through the town. North of the town in the forest stands a war memorial built around 1900. Scheuerfeld can also point to numerous half-timbered buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries. Furthermore, here stands the Catholic parish church of St. Francis from 1928, the town hall from 1910, and the war memorial from the first half of the last century, which commemorates the fallen of the First World War.

Approach

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

Public transport

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

Parking

Parking spaces available in the city center of Betzdorf

Directions

My route starts in Kirchstraße in Betzdorf at the railway line. I ride through a park and pass the Catholic Church of St. Ignatius on the right. Further south, I come across the forest and leave the Eisweiher pond on the right. Now the route climbs steeply. I zigzag around Werlenkopf and brush past Dauersberg. Here I reach the highest point of my route at 377 meters. A longer descent takes me to the southwest tip of Scheuerfeld. It goes northwards on Waldstraße to Tulpenweg. Here I turn right, shortly afterwards I turn right again onto Am Scheuerberg street. After the cemetery, I enter the forest again. Just before Scheuerberg, I briefly ride through Betzdorf, turn back to the forest and reach the point at Eisweiher from where I have the same route back to Betzdorf. I ride on many natural and gravel paths as well as on asphalt roads.

Safety instructions

For all fitness levels. Basic technical knowledge suffices.

Equipment

For bags and backpacks, a bike tour offers space not only on the back – the weight of equipment should ideally be distributed across several body and bike parts. Wind, rain, or sun can lead to very different temperature sensations while cycling – a cold can be best prevented with professional cycling clothing. On a multi-day tour, you should always have suitable change clothing handy to be prepared for any eventuality. In addition to 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: traditional and modern aids such as a cycling map or a GPS device serve for orientation. A small emergency kit should always be carried along.

Tips

In Sassenroth, a mining museum documents the millennia-old history of lead, iron, copper, silver and zinc ore mining. There is a place to rest in "Die Alm" (Betzdorf).

Literature

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

Destination

Betzdorf, town hall

Starting Point

Betzdorf, town hall