From Gevelsberg to Hagen

The region around Hagen lies on the border of the Bergisches Land, the Sauerland and the Ruhr area. The industrial history of the region can be experienced on our way. Our circular tour starts at the main railway station in Gevelsberg, which we leave on Hagener Strasse. In Haspe we can either take the main road around the village or ride through it. Via Hagen we come to two railway underpasses, behind which we turn right up the Bergischer Ring. The Ennepe and Volme rivers flow through Hagen. The cloth, paper and steel industries settled here early on. Today Hagen is a popular shopping town. It is worth visiting St. John's Church and the „Osthaus Museum“ (1). Osthaus supported many artists around 1900 and thus brought impressive exhibits of modern art to the museum. Afterwards, our route continues along Frankfurterstrasse, then Eilperstrasse via Eilpe with its town museum. Behind the railway bridge we turn sharp left onto Selbecker Strasse and cycle slightly uphill. Soon we reach the Westfälische-Freilichtmuseum (2). In more than 50 historic factories we can follow the work processes of the craftsmen. Blacksmiths, steam hammers and bakers are at work and we can not only watch but also taste. We now cycle along the Selbecker Strasse, which leads us uphill through the forest. From a hill we can enjoy the good view. Past Königsheide, the Brenschieder path and the Deller road lead us northwards. Via Oberbauer we reach Ennepetal, into which we descend steeply. Close to our route is the Kluterthermal Spring (3), one of the longest natural springs in Germany. It has a healing climate for asthma. Afterwards we cycle along Voerder Street, which is surrounded by factory villas. Back to Gevelsberg we take the Neu- and Kölner-street.