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Westerwald

Bicycle Rides

Westerwald loop: Linz/Rhine - Wissen/Sieg

Route profile

Difficulty
Difficult
Length / Distance 75,5 km
Rise 991 hm
Descent 885 hm
Duration 5,9 h
Highest point 369 hm
Lowest point 52 hm

Notice

In the tour planner we inform you under the tab "Current info" about temporary route changes, closures and detours.

To the Tour Planer

Description

The route is about 75 kilometers long. Already in Linz, the colorful town on the Rhine, there is a stone museum and Linz Castle to admire. Also worth mentioning are the many half-timbered houses, the historic towers, and the Roman glassworks. On the way, I pass Ockenfels Castle and visit the remains of the Remagen Bridge in Erpel. In Unkel, besides the Rhine promenade, there are some memorials to Willy Brandt. The route continues through forests and fields, a wonderful landscape I absorb with all my senses. In Raiffeisenland, several places commemorate the social reformer Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen. In Weyerbusch stand the historic mayor’s house, the bakehouse, and the Raiffeisen monument; near Heupelzen is the Raiffeisen tower. Now the pilgrimage church of Marienthal with its baroque altar and the image of grace of the Virgin Mary attracts me. Since the late Middle Ages, the church has drawn believers. Near Wissen, I take a detour to the mouth of the Nister before ending my tour for the day.

Approach

Motorway exits:
BAB 59 Cologne - Bonn-East interchange, then continue on B 42 - Linz/Rhine
BAB 3, Frankfurt - Cologne: Bad Honnef/Linz

Public transport

By train to Linz station

Directions

My route starts at the ferry in Linz (Rhine cycle path). It leads me along the Rhine northeastwards to Bad Honnef. At the bridge to the island, I turn right and cross the town towards the foothills of the Siebengebirge. From about kilometer 10, a long climb takes me over 320 meters. At Windhagen, I reach the A 3, cross it, and continue leisurely to Buchholz in the Westerwald. Later, the route follows the B 8 eastwards for a short distance, then I cycle in a wide arc via Fiersbach to Hasselbach. Here I follow the federal road 8 again through Weyerbusch and head southeast to Birnbach. Then it continues northeast, crossing the B 8, to Hilgenroth. I follow the route towards Bruchertseifen and reach Langenbach via switchbacks. From here, I cycle a few bends and loops until I reach my daily destination, Wissen.

Safety instructions

Very good fitness required.

Equipment

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

Tips

The view from the Erpeler Ley extends far over the Rhine. Swimming enthusiasts visit the outdoor pool Bad Honnef on the Rhine island.

Literature

Destination

Wissen, center

Starting Point

Linz: Ferry, Rhine cycle path

More information & GPX download

Notice

In the tour planner we inform you under the tab "Current info" about temporary route changes, closures and detours.

To the Tour Planer
If you decide to use Google Maps, your personal data will be processed by Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Google's privacy policy then applies: www.google.com/intl/de_de/help/terms_maps.html Plan arrival