The best traffic-free bike rides around Stausee Hengsen

There are over 30 dedicated road cycling routes around Stausee Hengsen that focus on minimizing traffic, offering a peaceful experience. These routes range from easy to moderate difficulty, ensuring options for various skill levels.

The routes around Stausee Hengsen offer a diverse landscape, including stretches through forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Many routes utilize well-maintained bike paths and former railway lines, providing mostly flat or gentle inclines, ideal for recreational road cyclists seeking a tranquil ride.

Yes, Stausee Hengsen is well-regarded for its easy and mostly flat cycling options. For example, the Ruhr cycle path – Ruhr Crossing Bridge loop from Hennen is an easy route, and the Roadbike loop from Holzwickede also offers a gentle ride. These routes are perfect for those looking for a leisurely experience without significant elevation changes.

The routes offer beautiful views of the Stausee Hengsen itself, also known as Geisecker See. You can also explore the Bahnwald Nature Reserve, which borders the lake and is rich in biodiversity. A notable point of interest is Cormorant Island – Hengsen Reservoir, home to a breeding colony of cormorants. The surrounding Ruhr River landscape with its meadows and scattered woodlands also provides idyllic panoramas.

For those seeking a longer ride, routes like the Brennerei-Gut Lenninghausen – Frömern Village loop from Hennen offer a moderate challenge with more distance and elevation gain. Another good option is the Ruhr Crossing Bridge – Kuhbrücke over the Ruhr loop from Kalthof (Kr Iserlohn), providing a substantial ride through varied scenery.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from nearly 600 ratings. Reviewers often praise the serene and peaceful atmosphere, the well-maintained paths, and the beautiful natural scenery, especially the quiet stretches along the lake and through the Bahnwald Nature Reserve.

Yes, the Stausee Hengsen region is very suitable for family-friendly cycling, particularly due to its emphasis on no-traffic routes and mostly flat terrain. The well-maintained bike paths and the tranquil environment make it a safe and enjoyable destination for cyclists of all ages. Consider the shorter, easy routes for younger family members.

While specific parking locations vary by route starting point, the region generally offers convenient parking options. Many routes, such as those starting from Hennen or Holzwickede, have accessible parking nearby. Hotel-Restaurant Gutshof Wellenbad is also mentioned as a potential starting point, implying facilities for visitors.

The Stausee Hengsen area is generally accessible, and depending on your starting point, public transport options may be available to nearby towns like Fröndenberg, Holzwickede, or Schwerte. It's advisable to check local bus or train schedules to plan your journey to the closest access points for the cycling routes.

Yes, many of the road cycling routes around Stausee Hengsen are designed as circular loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. A popular approximately 10 km long circular route encircles the area, passing through diverse landscapes and offering continuous scenic views without backtracking.

The Stausee Hengsen region is enjoyable for road cycling throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery with changing foliage. Summer is also ideal, especially for longer daylight hours. Winter cycling is possible, but conditions may vary, so checking the weather forecast is recommended.