Wennemen: Cycling Routes, the Ruhr Valley and Local History

Wennemen combines cycling and hiking destinations with the landscape of the Ruhr floodplain and a historic town centre. The village is a hub for cyclists: it lies directly on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route and is directly connected to the SauerlandRadring. There are also designated mountain biking trails, hiking destinations around the village and places to stop for a break. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether cycling, nature or local history should shape your stay most.

Exploring by Bike and on Foot

The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route passes through the Meschede municipal area via Wehrstapel, Meschede, Wennemen and Freienohl, and continues via Arnsberg to Duisburg. This longer sequence of places is useful for orientation: Wennemen is a named section of the cycle route, while the SauerlandRadring is connected by a direct link. There is also a car park associated with the SauerlandRadring in Wennemen.

There are also various options for exploring on foot. Hiking destinations around Wennemen include Stimm Stamm, Enster Knick and Wennemer Höhe. Wennemen is also part of the third stage of the Ruhrhöhenweg between Meschede and Arnsberg. Mountain biking trails are designated around the village; there is also an established network of hiking trails in some areas. This means that designated mountain biking routes sit alongside hiking destinations and a trail network that is only partly developed.

The Ruhr Floodplain and Protected Landscape

The “Ruhrtal mit Wennemündung” nature reserve protects the distinctive landscape of the Wennemen stretch of the Ruhr Valley. It is considered the largest valley lowland in the planning area. The Ruhr floodplain is also evident in a wetland biotope complex near Meschede-Wennemen: it is a long, former oxbow lake near the BAB 46 motorway bridge.

Another way to enjoy the landscape is GebkeGlück. Forest sofas and picnic tables invite visitors to play, relax and spend time together. This makes it a different kind of stopping place from the longer cycling and hiking routes: sitting down, taking a break together and spending time outdoors are the focus here.

Town Centre and Local History

Wennemen’s historic town centre is in the area around the church and Gendarmenmarkt. The parish church of St. Nicholas in Wennemen dates from 1929; its patronal feast is celebrated on 6 December. Both details give the church a clear connection to local history and the calendar.

Another memorial is the Mahnkreuz cross on Kehling. Members of the St. Nikolaus Schützenbruderschaft erected it in 1964 to commemorate those who fell in both world wars. Together, the church, Gendarmenmarkt and Mahnkreuz add specific landmarks of local history to the nature and route themes.

Breaks and Practical Information

The SauerlandRadring Wennemen car park is right by the SauerlandRadring in Meschede-Wennemen and has space for 13 cars. As capacity may change, check it again before you travel. For a break during a cycling trip, the Wennemer Treff is a good choice: on Sundays, it serves coffee and cake, fresh wheat beer and classics such as a “meatball in a bag”. Food and drinks may change, so check what is on offer before your visit.

More Things to Do in the Meschede Travel Destination

If you are planning to visit other places in the wider Meschede travel destination, you will find additional attractions. In Meschede, the Henne Boulevard links the lake and the town along a two-kilometre route, passes Hennepark and is accessible, with a fitness trail. Activities at Berghauser Badebucht on Lake Henne include swimming, stand-up paddleboarding at the watersports station, sailing and rowing.

For families, Piratenbucht on Lake Henne is another option in the Meschede travel destination: the free outdoor adventure playground features a pirate ship, climbing and play equipment, and an accessible inclusive area. From the parking area at Berghauser Badebucht, an accessible path leads to Piratenbucht in about five minutes. Check the conditions before your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Oberberge, Frenkhausen, Eversberg, Remblinghausen, Erflinghausen, Freienohl, Grevenstein

For the main travel overview: Meschede.