The Diemel cycle path starts above Usseln at Willingen in the northern Rothaaar Mountains. The route runs along the river over the Diemelsee, Marsberg, Diemelstadt, Warburg, Liebenau (Hessen) and Trendelburg up to the confluence of the Diemel in the Weser Bad Karlshafen.
In 2017, the Diemel Cycle Path was awarded four out of five possible stars as a "Star Route" certified by the ADFC Federal Association. The route now has full signposting and a new route logo. The stairs at the Diemel bridge between Wrexen and Scherfelde near the B-252 valley bridge have been replaced by ramps.
Route profile
- Length: 110 km
- Signposting: Lots of smaller but also bigger signs are continuous available. The positioning of individual signs and the directional signs are in need of improvement. The problem seems to have its cause in the fact that NRW and Hesse could not agree on a uniform or even standardized signposting.
- Slopes: Partially available in the upper reaches, from Marsberg the route is largely flat (only a few hills).
- Path condition: On average, more than 75% of the route is on asphalt. There are longer gravel sections between Trendelburg and Bad Karlshafen, for example. Between Usseln and Trendelburg, the sections with a water-bound cover are never longer than 2 km.
- Traffic load: Country roads are used for approx. 14 km outside of built-up areas. This is the case, for example, between Usseln and the Diemelsee. Between Padberg and Wrexen, cyclists often have to take the country road for short sections. There is sometimes a lot of traffic there and it is confusing.
- Suitable bike: Touring bike with 7 gear hub gear is sufficient
- Family suitability: Only individual sections are suitable for families. The path from Bad Karlshafen to Haueda is flat and calm. To the west (upstream) of Haueda it is generally hilly. From the source to Wrexen there are always sections on z. Partly busy country roads.
- Inline suitability: No
background
With a length of 110 km, the Diemel cycle path is in the "tourist shadow" of its bigger brothers in the Weser river system, such as the Weser, Fulda or Werra cycle paths. However, the route has quite a bit of discovery potential. Anyone interested in culture and landscape should take a long weekend to explore the route from the heights of the Upland near Willingen to the Diemel estuary in the area of Reinhardswalds to explore near Bad Karlshafen.
For background information on the river itself, see Wikipedia article "Diemel".
getting there
With public transport
The best way to get here by train is to Usseln over the route Brilon-Wald to Korbach. In Brilon-Wald there is a connection to the Regional Express from Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe train station to Hagen Hbf.
Who from Kassel to NVV tariff or with the Hessenticket wants to arrive, wears out kassel the Kurhessenbahn to Korbach. The variant via Brilon Forest is partly outside of Hesse or outside the NPV area. Unfortunately, the train connections to Usseln in Korbach are bad (45-50 minutes waiting time).
Incidentally, Warburg still belongs to the NVV area, although it is in North Rhine-Westphalia.
By bicycle
Usseln is over the Hess. Long-distance cycle route R5 developed. The Korbach - Usseln section is very mountainous. From Titmaringhausen there is also a farm road that (almost?) Leads to the source.
Route description
Between Upland and Diemelsee
Upland: Willingen - Ettelsberg - Clemensberg - Diemelquelle - Usseln - Diemelsee (Heringshausen): approx. 30 km
- 1 Willingen train station
- 2 Valley station Ettelsbergbahn - Bicycle transport possible for a small surcharge
- 3 Ettelsberg - Hochheideturm with a beautiful panoramic view (ascent of the tower is included in the price of the cable car).
- 4 Cyrillic Path - Path through a 2007 storm thrown area that was left to its own devices. A "primeval forest" is slowly emerging here.
- 5 Crossroads Large pit with a rest area on the way star
- 6 Rest area with refuge and "sofa benches" at the junction to Hochheide Neuer Hagen / Neuer Clemensberg
~ 
~> About 500 m behind the rest area at the 7 Hildfelder Höhe follow the road further to the left and Not the MTB routes straight ahead. After the long descent, join in 8 keep right. After about 30-40 meters uphill you come to the 9 Resting place "Schutzhütte Knoll" still at one beautiful valley view past. Then at 10 keep right. After 400 m is now the passport Reached Usseln-Titmaninghausen. (11 ). From here, the asphalt path goes downhill to the left towards Diemelquelle. This can be found after about 500 m to the left of the path.
Without Ettelsberg near Willigen: Diemelquelle - Usseln - Diemelsee (Heringshausen): 16 km
- 1 Diemel spring above Usseln - The Diemel rises about 2 km south of Usseln at an altitude of 660 m. At the source there is a resting place with a refuge and some benches.
- 2 Usseln - belongs politically to Willingen (Upland); if you still need food, keep to the right on the main street and you will soon find two supermarkets (ALDI and REWE).
~ ~> For about 9 km from Usseln to the Diemelstausee only partially paved forest and field paths are used. Then it goes on the country road. The lakeshore soon comes to the left.
- 3 - Heringshausen is the tourist center at the dam with bathing and accommodation options as well as restaurants. The longest bank in Hesse can be found on the bank.
- 4 - The route crosses the barrier wall on the road.
Diemelsee (barrier wall) - Marsberg - Warburg: 49 km
The landscape of the Diemel cycle path below Marsberg is no longer as attractive on this stage. The route often leads on roads or along roads. Moving forward is often very difficult, especially in strong winds.
- 12 Diemel dam
~ ~> From the dam there is a short descent down the country road to Helminghausen.
- 13 Helminghausen - The village is located below the dam in the Diemeltal.
~ ~> After Helminghausen, the route is finally free of traffic again. On an asphalt road it goes about 5 km to Padberg. The village, which is situated on a mountain ridge, is marked with a steep slope reached (around 100 meters from the valley floor).
- 14 Padberg - Village on the ridge.
~ ~> From Padberg it's fast back to the Diemeltal: first a short stretch of country road, then left into the wooded and quiet Diemeltal (don't miss the junction to the left when you are descending the country road). Incidentally, the Diemel passes the ridge near Padberg in a narrow gorge.
- 15 Marsberg - There is a rail connection to the Hagen - Warburg line. Marsberg has a remarkable half-timbered old town, a detour to is more worthwhile for tourists Obermarsberg. The one there Collegiate church is considered one of the first churches in Westphalia. From the Buttenturm you have a beautiful view of the Diemeltal and Marsberg.
- 16 Westheim - Railway connection
- 17 Wrexen - no train station; District of Diemelstadt
- → This is where the Hess begins / ends. Long-distance cycle route R6. See below Detour to Twist Valley Lake.
~ ~> Behind Werxen there were stairs at the Diemelbrücke near the B 252 bridge until 2016. These have now been replaced by ramps (Press info) North of the Diemel Bridge you can take a 2 km long detour to the Wisent enclosure with forest information center close to Hardehausen monastery complex in the southern Egge Mountains. It is an easy 3 km to the former monastery. East of the B 252 it goes through the larger industrial area of Scherfelde. The Diemel cycle path only becomes really attractive again east of Warburg.
- 18 Scherfede: Branch to the train station
- 19 Branch off local cycle route R 1 Warburg - if you want to drive more flat, you can cycle here directly along the Diemel to Warburg.
- 20 Germete - Health resort with a well-known mineral fountain. If you want, you can discover the Serviam Sisters' sensory garden (signposted).
- → Shortly before the site there is a flood protection basin, which impresses with its dykes. To the east of the basin, the Warburg R2 branching off cycle path runs, among other things, to Twist lake(see below) leads.
- 21 Warburg - Branch into the beautiful old town
Detour castle ruins Desenberg
About 3 km northeast of Warburg lies the Desenberg castle ruins on a 345 m high volcanic cone great panoramic view over the Warburger Börde.
- Directions from Warburg: The ruins can only be reached directly from Warburg via the busy country road in the direction of Daseberg (approx. 2.5 km). A white sign on the road to the parking lot indicates the castle. The entrance to the footpath to the castle is about 150 m away from the parking lot on the paved dirt road towards Daseberg.
- Approach diemel upstream from Haueda: Before Haueda at the Diemelbrücke take the moderately traveled country road to the right in the direction of Daseberg. After about 1.9 km from this turn left into a smaller street in the direction of Warburg. Follow this small road upwards for about 1.5 km. After the Rothenburg (Gutshof) settlement, turn right onto an asphalt field path. Follow this about 900 m past a nursery to a field lane intersection. From here you already have a beautiful view of the Warburger Börde and Daseberg. If you want to rest after the inclines, you will even find a bench. If you are still fit, turn left at the intersection onto the dirt road, which is also paved. After 600 m, with some steep inclines, you reach the entrance to the footpath to the castle (at about 260 m altitude). Lock the bike here.
- Footpath to the castle: It does no sense to push the bike to the castle. The narrow path is very steep and has steps in the upper area. You just burden yourself unnecessarily. Without a bike you can already enjoy the beautiful view much better on the ascent. The almost one meter wide gravel path leads up to the castle in a spiral (700 m route with about 80 m ascent). There are a few benches along the way for a break.
- tower - The tower of the castle can be climbed. When the gate is open, you can climb the 12 m high tower via a metal spiral staircase. But even without climbing the tower you have beautiful views in all directions from the free mountain top.
- Historical background information see Wikipedia article "Desenberg Castle"
Warburg - Bad Karlshafen: 40 km
- 1 Warburg: Diemel bridge at the old town cemetery - driveway to the Diemel cycle path.
- 2 Dalheim - small hamlet with excursion gastronomy
- ~
~> On the Warburg - Liebenau section, the paved route Most worth seeing on traffic-free paths Viaduct of the Warburg-Kassel railway line (at 3 ) past. Between the viaduct and Liebenau-Haueda you have to conquer a steeper hill (about 30 meters in altitude with a 10-12% gradient). As a reward for the steep hill, you have a beautiful view from above down into the Diemel valley towards Haueda and over to the Desenberg castle ruins.
- 4 Liebenau - The small half-timbered ensemble with church (located off the route) is well worth seeing. Railway station on the Warburg-Kassel railway line (but no more trains stop).
Detour Hofgeismar
The one marked with a mill wheel as a logo begins in Liebenau Warmetal cycle path (named after the river Warme) Zierenberg. But only up to this one Dwarfs follow (about 3 km country road) and there on the Hess. Long-distance cycle route R4 switch and this over Hofgeismar to Trendelburg- Follow the tribes (again at the Diemel). The detour is approx. 10 km and contains a mountain with an incline of more than 5%, from which there are some views. The route is paved up to approx. 1 km at Stammen. If you want, you can also go through the train station Hümme drive back to the Diemel. The latter way is as Eco path Diemel signposted and paved.
Back to the Diemel cycle path:
- ~ ~> Below Liebenau, the Diemel has created a scenic, partly rugged breakthrough valley. Partly there are rocky cliffs along the way (photo). The route is in the Liebenau - Trendelburg section in principle completely paved.
- About 1 km downstream from Liebenau you can find it on the bike path 5 a Snack stationthat invites cyclists to stop off.
- A little further you come to one at the junction to Ostheim Resting place6 past. The resting place is below a limestone rock. Unfortunately there is no refuge.
- 7 Lambs - 450 inhabitants village that belongs to Liebenau. The Diemel cycle path makes a detour to Diemel in the village area (can be shortened). At the clubhouse of the Lamerden fishing club is the volunteer-run Restaurant "Zur Friedenseiche" open all day on Sundays; (still available because the website is no longer there?). Here you can also find the peace oak planted in 1873 on the river, which invites self-caterers to rest. Under the mighty tree there is a semicircular, shady bench with a view of the river. There is also a bench with a view of the river. There is also a small playground near the oak. Attention: In Lamerden there is no train stop or no trains stop.
- ~ ~> In Lamerden the Diemel cycle path changes the river side on the road bridge. Keep left twice directly after the bridge. On an asphalt path, it goes through fields and meadows parallel to the railway further downstream.
- In the Sielen area, the route is graveled for around 250 to 300 meters. However, the gravel can be avoided on the little-traveled, parallel road. When you turn off the street you can find it 8 Sielen rest area with seating groups.
- From the road it goes on asphalt farm roads through the wide, open arable landscape of the Diemel-Esse lowland. Trendelburg, perched high on a ridge, can be seen from afar.
- 9 Come - Hofgut that invites you to stop in the beer garden and spend the night (tent meadow, hay hotel, room).
- ~ ~> continue on paved paths to Trendelburg
- 10 Trendelburg - nice stage town. From Trendelburg you can do a round tour in the Reinhardswald to the Sababurg primeval forest, Sababurg Zoo and Sleeping Beauty Castle undertake (best as a round trip via Wülmersen, - Holzapetal - Gottsbüren - Sababurg- Urwald Sababurg - Beberbeck - - Hombressen - Carlsdorf - Hofgeismar - Hümme - Stammen - Trendelburg with about 35 to 40 km). For those who do not stay overnight, a detour to the castle hill to the "Rapunzelschloss" is worthwhile. The "Rapunzel Tower" cannot be climbed, but from the cozy courtyard you still have a very nice view of the valley. Upscale gastronomy resides at the castle in the castle hotel.
- ~ ~> Between Trendelburg and Wülmersen, the route runs very beautifully on the railway line of the former Carlsbahn. The route is gravel. After / or when it rains, there are various puddles and muddy spots, as the gravel path does not have a real "dome profile", as should be the case for an optimally drivable gravel route. In a few places, on the other hand, the surface is partly coarse, because probably the gravel of the former track bed comes through.
- To the Carlsbahntunnel:11 In September the Deiseler tunnel was opened at Trendelburg-Deisel reopened for hikers and cyclists. However, it is closed in winter, more precisely from November 1st to March 31st, to protect the bats. Due to a nature reserve, the south portal can only be reached via stairs with "sliding tracks" for bicycles.
- 12 Wülmersen - small lock with museum. The courtyard is accessible. The buildings are now used as a rest home for children and young people (info).
- ~ ~> We continue on the scenic, but unfortunately poorly maintained gravel railway line to Helmarshausen. After / or when it rains there are various puddles and muddy spots, as the gravel path does not have a real "dome profile". Sometimes there is also a "vibrating slope" with coarse gravel. "Quiet asphalt" can only be reached shortly before Helmarshausen.
- 13 Helmarshausen - Krukenburg castle ruins. The keep of the ruin can be climbed in the summer months (beautiful view of the Diemeltal).
- ~ ~> The local area of Helmarshausen is crossed on quiet residential streets. Between Helmarshausen, the route leads as an easily navigable gravel road away from the main road directly into the town center of Bad Karlshafen.
- 14 Bad Karlshafen - The mouth of the Diemel in the Weser, baroque old town with the Karlshafen. Tip: Short hike to the "Weser Skywalk" on the Hanoverian cliffs with a beautiful view on the Weser. Or closer: ascent to the Huguenot Tower with a beautiful view of Bad Karlshafen
trips
By train
Train station: Bad Karlshafen (right bank)
- Sollingbahn: Ottbergen - Bodenfelde - Goettingen
- Connection in Bodenfelde to: Northeim
- Connection in Ottbergen to: Bad Driburg - Altenbeken - Paderborn Hbf · and · to Holzminden - Stadtoldendorf - Kreiensen
By bicycle
- on the Weser cycle path Towards the North Sea
- Hess. Long-distance cycle route R1: Fulda cycle route the Weser upstream to Hann Münden (about 50 km).
- Hess. Long-distance cycle route R4: From Sleeping Beauty to the Nibelungs from Hümme towards Hofgeismar and Zierenberg.
- Hess. Long-distance cycle route R5: Eder - Fulda - Werra - The upstream cyclists meet the R5 in Usseln and can travel on to Willingen and Winterberg.
GPS data
- The route can be viewed here as GPX file downloaded.
- Route profile with GPS data and Google Earth KMZ file in Bike tour wiki
References to literature and maps
- Bikeline bike tour book "Eder-Radweg, Diemel-Radweg", 1: 50,000, Verlag Esterbauer, with maps, accommodation directory, elevation profile, spiral binding, 120 pages, ISBN 978-3-85000-695-8 (1st edition 2016), price: € 13.90
Web links
- Diemel cycle path - official page
- Route in the Hesse cycle route planner Even if the route is only displayed in Hessen, it can be completely calculated and displayed if you:Starting point- and Target point set, under "Route search criteria": click on "Prefer a certain themed route:" and select "Diemel Cycle Path".
