In the middle of Germany, the Sauerland has become an El Dorado for sporty mountain bike riding. Flowing trails, several bike parks and the opportunity for long tours in the idyllic landscape make every biker's heart beat faster. Popular festivals and racing series regularly attract hordes of cyclists to the MTB Sauerland region. But the events are not the only highlights; the infrastructure geared towards bikers is what sets it apart from other regions that don't have much to offer in this regard.
MTB Sauerland – shaped routes and natural single trails
In the "land of a thousand mountains" , the Sauerland, you have the opportunity to climb 2711 mountains and hills over 400m high (the highest mountain in NRW is the Langenberg in Olsberg at 843m). If you want to do them all, you should bring time and maybe even an e-bike . The mixed and coniferous forests are ideal for all kinds of outdoor sports. The best, of course, for cycling. The Sauerland can be reached from the Ruhr area and the Rhineland in no time at all. Perfect for a weekend away. Our neighbors from the Benelux countries know this too, and they head towards Kahler Asten to ski, especially in winter. While the focus of cities and municipalities has long been on winter sports, it has now been recognized that the hilly landscape also attracts many visitors in summer. The Bike Arena Sauerland now offers one of the largest designated bike trail networks in Germany for cyclists of all skill levels, with around 1,700 kilometers of trails and 34,000 meters of elevation. 19 communities and towns ensure that the infrastructure is optimally adapted to the needs of bikers .
The MTB tour network in the Bike Arena Sauerland
Most of the routes in the Bike Arena are beginner-friendly and ideal for families . In addition, the communities of Willingen, Winterberg and Brilon have established themselves as a meeting point for cyclists from all over Germany with their bike and trail parks and tours for all skill levels and bike types. If you go with a local guide, you can expect a single trail share of over 40% on the tours. Hard-fought elevation gains are always rewarded with flowing descents .
The bike parks offer a lot, from practice courses to pump tracks and flow trails to rough tracks for gravity fans on downhill bikes . The track on the Kahler Asten, which was planned and built by track guru Diddie Schneider, has even been voted the most popular bike park in German-speaking countries. The bike schools have also recognized that the Sauerland is also ideal for learning new riding techniques. At the Liquid-Life Academy in Brilon, for example, riding technique courses (also on e-mountain bikes , for children, ladies and mixed groups, special courses, guided tours, company events and other offers can be booked. Here you can get in shape for the fun descents. If you really want to know what you're doing, rent a downhill bike and test a bike with more suspension travel in one of the bike parks.
MTB Sauerland Impression – there is a lot on offer for off-road cyclists :
Many round trips include short, tough uphills , but they can't be compared to those in the Alps. But varied descents always make up for every ordeal. If you've really exhausted yourself during the day, you can find a place to relax in one of the many bike-friendly hotels and guest houses in the Sauerland. In many hotels, you can even wash and service your bike, and you can also enjoy a well-earned shower after the tour on the day of departure until the afternoon. Some bike festivals and test events ensure that there is enough to suit everyone. If you want to get a taste of racing, you're in good hands as a racer or spectator at one of the most established marathon racing series.
The breathtaking natural scenery is unparalleled in Germany. Reservoirs, coniferous and mixed forests are just as much a part of the typical Sauerland idyll as the lush green meadows and the sparse beech groves. The two big storms of the past, Kyrill and Friederike, did leave a lot of damage behind, but now allow for incredible panoramic views from the partially deforested heights . There are plenty of panoramic tours in the Sauerland. The perfectly signposted paths lead across high plateaus and high pastures. Particularly noteworthy are the Upland plateau with the Niedersfelder Hochheide, the Kahle Asten plateau near Winterberg and also the Hunau. If the climbs aren't a problem for you in view of the great views, you should definitely combine the Hochheiden trio on one tour. Enduro riders and single trail fans can really let it rip on the "Across the High Plateaus" tour. Adrenaline junkies will get their money's worth here. If that's not enough for you, you should definitely try out the Willingen Bike Park routes. Another recommendation from us is the round trip over the St. Muffert. Once you're at the top, you reach the Diemelsee via a flowing single trail and can plunge straight into the cold water. Immediately afterwards, you continue towards Willingen, where you can treat yourself to culinary delights in one of the numerous restaurants and bars. Biking and swimming - that's also on the agenda near the Biggesee near Olpe. The dam was originally built to meet the drinking water demand, but now a wide variety of water sports enthusiasts can be found at the Biggesee. This region has now blossomed into the perfect training spot for alpine crossers. Some race formats and MTB marathons offer the ideal training framework for anyone who wants to do more than just rack up the kilometers.
The Trailground Brilon is the second trail center in Germany – MTB Sauerland Highlight :
The Sauerland is in the west of Germany . It lies east of the Rhineland and close to the Ruhr area; Kassel and Paderborn are other neighboring cities. Cyclists get their money's worth from March to the end of October (the season can also change depending on the snow conditions). Although some trails and tours can also be ridden in winter, this is particularly worthwhile if you use fat bikes. Those who come for snow sports in winter and biking in summer can also go ski biking in the cold season.
Depending on which tours you want to do, touring and marathon mountain bikes (100-140mm suspension travel) are suitable for the gravel paths and soft forest floor of the Bike Arena tours. The single trails in the Sauerland are not often particularly rough, but for less experienced riders we recommend taking an all-mountain or enduro bike (150-180mm suspension travel) with you on tour. This is definitely the most fun, especially on the trail-oriented routes. The same applies to pedelecs. Numerous charging stations along the way mean that you can reach your destination without much effort. In the three bike parks it is a good idea to use a freeride or downhill bike (180-220mm suspension travel). Slopestyle or dirt bikes are suitable for tricksters.
Bikepark Winterberg
Winterberg has the right route for every type of rider. You can also work your way up slowly here. From the practice course you go onto the flow trails, freeride and Northshore routes and from there, for the more experienced, onto the single trail or the downhill track. You can go up comfortably in the chairlift.
Bike World Willingen Ettelsberg :
In Willingen, you take the gondola up and then back down to the valley via the freeride or downhill route. A lot of work has been done here, and a few more routes have been added.
Warsteiner Bikepark
If you can also ride the drag lift with your bike, you can enjoy 6 different routes here. From slopestyle to fun ride to downhill, there is everything you need
Trail center – MTB Sauerland :
Trailground Brilon
Trailpark Winterberg
