Wennemen is a hub for cyclists: the village lies directly on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route and has a direct connection to the Sauerland Cycle Ring. This places two clearly named route connections at the heart of cycling plans. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route passes through the Meschede municipal area via Wehrstapel, Meschede, Wennemen and Freienohl, and continues via Arnsberg to Duisburg. Wennemen is therefore part of a longer route, whose named places provide useful points of reference.
Cycling Routes and Hiking Destinations
There are designated mountain bike trails around Wennemen. A developed network of paths is available for some hikes. These options differ in their extent: the mountain bike trails are specifically designated, while the hiking network is only partly developed. Those travelling on foot will also find several named destinations: Stimm Stamm, Enster Knick and Wennemer Höhe.
A section of the Ruhrhöhenweg also provides a point of reference: Wennemen is part of the third stage between Meschede and Arnsberg. The three named hiking destinations sit alongside a route explicitly described as a stage between two cities. This makes it easier to plan whether to focus on individual destinations around Wennemen or on the Ruhrhöhenweg stage.
The Ruhr Valley and Protected Landscape
The “Ruhrtal mit Wennemündung” nature reserve protects the distinctive landscape of the “Wennemer Ruhrtalweite.” This is considered the largest valley lowland in the planning area. Another specific natural feature is the wetland biotope complex near Meschede-Wennemen: it is a long, former oxbow lake in the Ruhraue near the BAB 46 valley bridge. The protected area represents the preservation of the valley landscape; the biotope complex draws attention to a single, former water feature.
Local History and Special Places
The historic village centre is located around the church and Gendarmenmarkt. The parish church of St. Nicholas in Wennemen dates from 1929; its patronal feast is celebrated on 6 December. Another place of remembrance is the memorial cross on the Kehling. It was erected in 1964 by members of the St. Nikolaus SchĂĽtzenbruderschaft to commemorate those who fell in both world wars. A report from 2007 described the cross as a landmark visible from far across Wennemen and noted that it is illuminated on all major feast days and at the turn of the year.
Breaks and Practical Information
GebkeGlück has woodland sofas and picnic tables and invites visitors to play, relax and spend time together. The Wennemer Treff is also a good place to stop for a break during a cycling tour. On Sundays, it offers coffee and cake, fresh wheat beer and classics such as a “meatball in a bag.” Offerings may change; check what is currently available before your visit.
The Sauerland Cycle Ring Wennemen car park is located directly on the Sauerland Cycle Ring in Meschede-Wennemen and has space for 13 cars. As capacity may change, check again before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Remblinghausen, Frenkhausen, Eversberg, Grevenstein, Oberberge, Freienohl, Erflinghausen
Return to the main travel overview: Meschede.
