Aktuelle Streckenhinweise
From time to time, there are construction sites along the Ruhr Valley Bike Trail. We’ve compiled a list of all the construction projects we’re aware of here so you can plan ahead. Detours are always set up and clearly marked on-site. The detours are not included in the GPX track to avoid confusion caused by too many different GPX tracks circulating.
In the event of flooding along the Ruhr River, you’ll find the corresponding flood detours here. Please note that the ruhrtalFähre Hardenstein may suspend operations at short notice even during the off-season if water levels are too high. You can find the daily updated ferry schedules here: https://www.wabembh.de/
Please note: Current information on arriving and departing by train in 2026
In addition to construction sites directly along the Ruhr Valley Bike Trail, there may also be closures or service disruptions when traveling by train. You can find all the information we have on this topic HERE.
Before you begin your trip, please always check the following link for the latest updates to see if there are any substitute schedules, delays, or changes to your connections:
www.zuginfo.nrw
Construction Sites and Route Closures for Rail Travel in 2025
The following construction sites and route plans for 2025 have already been announced. This list is updated on an ongoing basis:
Route Section | Period: 2025 | Measure | Impact |
| Bestwig – Brilon Forest | June 22 – September 21 | Tunnel work | No train service, travel to Winterberg not affected, Mon–Fri hourly service to Winterberg |
| Wickede–Meschede | May 8–May 19 | Switch work | No train service Travel to Winterberg affected |
| Schwerte – Wickede & Fröndenberg – Menden | May 21–26 & May 30–June 3 & June 11–16 | Switch work | No train service Travel to Winterberg affected |
| Warburg – Scherfede | Aug. 20–27 | Switch work | No train service Travel to Winterberg not affected |
| Arnsberg – Bestwig | September 29 – October 4 | Switch work | No train service Travel to Winterberg affected |
| Messinghausen – Warburg | Oct. 22 – Nov. 1 | Switch work | No train service Travel to Winterberg not affected |
Brilon Wald – Willingen | May 11 – May 26 | Switch work | No train service Travel to Winterberg is not affected |
Renovation Between Winterberg and Olsberg
Starting in spring 2026, the Ruhr Valley Bike Trail will be expanded in several phases. Progress updates, road closures, and travel information will be regularly updated on the website.
1) Construction between Niedersfeld-“Im Stein” (Station 7+530) and Haus Wildenstein (Station 8+930) began on April 7, 2026.
A detour via the B480 has been set up and is signposted during the construction work (see map excerpt).
Construction is expected to last until the end of 2026.
2) Starting May 4, 26, construction will take place between Voßmecke (Station 4+460) and the turntable access road (Station 2+758).
A detour has been set up and is shown in the image below.
Estimated construction period until the end of 2026.
3) Starting in spring 2027, construction will begin between the turntable access road (Station 2+758) and the Winterberg roundabout.
During the expansion work, traffic will be diverted via the existing bike path and detour. A sketch of the detour can be viewed below.
Please note: During these construction activities, access from the RTRW in the direction of “Ruhrquelle” will not be possible.
Construction is expected to last until the end of 2027.
Meschede-Freienohl
From February 16, 2026, through May 15, 2026 (tentatively), the access road between the Ruhr and Obergraben in Meschede-Freienohl will be closed due to construction, and the Ruhr Valley Bike Path will be temporarily rerouted. The detour will be signposted.
Wickede
Construction of the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Wickede (Ruhr) has begun. The entire construction phase will last until 2027. The long construction period will be offset by a new, wide bridge that will make cycling there a breeze.
Please be mindful of construction traffic and do not ride too fast in the area around the construction site.
Alternative Route: Iserlohn
In Iserlohn, there may be short-term closures on the main section of the Ruhr Valley Bike Trail. An alternative route is signposted on site and marked on the map below for your reference.
In the long term, the Ruhr Valley Bike Path will be relocated closer to the Ruhr River here; planning is already underway. The city of Iserlohn will begin construction of the new alternative section along the Ruhr on April 20, 2025, and according to the schedule, it is expected to open during the 2026 season. The closure will be in effect from April 27 until, tentatively, June 19, 2026.
Until then, we ask all cyclists to ride slowly and cautiously on the affected section of the trail and to be considerate of the animals and residents in the area, so that the private operator can keep the trail open on their property until the new section opens.
Thank you very much for your support!
Bochum - Lake Kemnade
An event will take place over the weekend of July 10–12, 2026, in the area of the Gibraltar coal mine at Lake Kemnade. This will result in a restriction on a section approximately 150–200 meters long. Please pay attention to the on-site information, walk your bike, and get ready to enjoy the live music along this section of the route.
Essen-Heisingen to -Kupferdreh: Closure of the bridge over Lake Baldeney
Closure period: January 22, 2026 – unknown
The wooden structure of the former railway bridge must be repaired, PROBABLY by summer 2026. A smooth detour for bike routes between KP51 (end of Grugatrasse) and Kupferdreh (KP54)—including the Ruhr Valley Bike Path—is signposted via the Kampmann Bridge, located a short distance to the north. At the very next junction downstream, just before Kupferdreh, you can turn right down to the riverbank to rejoin the routes.
Mülheim-Broich: Detour due to road resurfacing
Road closure period: February 27–April 18, 2026
The pavement on Fossilienweg is being completely replaced. The detour between junctions 55 (Essen-Kettwig) and 3 (Ruhr Bridge Mülheim-Zentrum/MüGa; connection to the RS1 bike expressway) is signposted to run parallel to the west along the bike paths alongside the road.
New Destination on the Ruhr Valley Bike Trail
Due to construction work on the Karl-Lehr Bridge in Duisburg-Kasslerfeld and at the Ruhr weir, the end of the Ruhr Valley Bike Path will be closed for several years—both at the weir itself and under the bridge on Ruhrorter Straße. Unfortunately, these large-scale renovations are beyond our control, and a bike path must, regrettably, take a back seat to such projects. Since none of the possible detours were ideal or appealing and did not meet the standards of a 4*-quality bike path, the Ruhr Valley Bike Path will be rerouted for the duration of the construction work, which is expected to last several years.
The new route now branches off at Emmericher Straße and leads through Duisburg-Duissern directly to the Buckelbrücke in Duisburg’s inner harbor, where you can comfortably round off your tour at one of the many restaurants and cafes. The route has been specially re-signposted and, in some sections, even repaved. In addition, tourist information boards with overview maps have been installed, and our GPX tracks have been updated. With this new, temporary destination, you’ll enjoy a touristically appealing conclusion to your tour. For anyone who’d like to continue cycling to the Rheinorange, there are also suggested routes from the Inner Harbor to the Ruhr estuary (these are also shown on the two signs on-site):
