Sauerland Motorcycle Loop: Winterberg, the Lakes and the Lenne Valley

The Sauerland is where the Ruhr goes riding. It is a quick run from Dortmund, Essen and Cologne, and on a sunny Sunday it fills with bikes heading for the hills, the lakes and the cafés. Behind that reputation is a proper riding region: forested hills up to around 840 metres, reservoirs in every other valley and hundreds of kilometres of B and L roads with steady, flowing corners. This 200km loop from Winterberg takes in the best of it.

The route

Winterberg to Schmallenberg (about 25km). Winterberg sits on the high plateau of the Rothaar mountains, next to the Kahler Asten, one of the highest points in North Rhine-Westphalia. Head west down into the upper Lenne valley toward Schmallenberg, a small town of slate-roofed, half-timbered houses.

Schmallenberg to the Biggesee (about 45km). Follow the Lenne valley downstream toward Lennestadt, then cut south-west to Attendorn. The Biggesee is the largest reservoir in the region, with long arms reaching into the side valleys and bridges carrying the road across the water. Attendorn's Atta cave is a cool stop on a hot day.

Attendorn to the Sorpesee (about 35km). North from Attendorn the roads climb over wooded ridges toward Sundern and the Sorpesee. This section has some of the best sequences of the loop: rhythmic forest bends with good sightlines, broken by short villages.

Sorpesee to the Hennesee and Meschede (about 25km). East from the Sorpesee, the road crosses the hills to Meschede and the Hennesee, a smaller lake with a road along its shore and a dam wall right next to town.

Meschede to Brilon, Willingen and back to Winterberg (about 70km). The last leg runs east to Brilon, then south through Willingen, just across the border in Hesse, and back up to Winterberg. These are higher, more open roads, often cooler and windier than the valleys.

The roads

Surfaces are mostly good, and the corners are more flowing than technical. But the Sauerland has a real noise and speeding problem in the eyes of the people who live there, and enforcement is serious: expect speed checks on popular biker roads, lower limits on some stretches, and the occasional local restriction for motorcycles. Ride it smoothly and quietly. Large areas of spruce have been felled after dying back in recent dry years, so expect forestry trucks, mud on the road at clearing entrances, and open views where there used to be forest.

When to go

April to October. Winterberg is a ski resort, so the high plateau stays cold well into spring and can see snow from November. Weekday riding is far quieter than weekends. Late September brings autumn colour and empty roads once the summer holidays end.

Where to stay in the Sauerland

Winterberg, Schmallenberg, Willingen and the towns around the lakes all have places used to riders. See all Sauerland biker hotels with secure parking and drying space. The Sauerland makes a good stop between the Netherlands and the Harz, which is about three hours further east.