40 kilometres of sporty character with altogether eight altitude differences lie before you on the Fachwerkroute [Timber Frame Route] in southern North Rhine-Westphalia. The route leads - partly on cycle paths, partly on roads - through many small places which impress with numerous, well-preserved and partly newly renovated half-timbered houses. The tour starts in Nümbrecht. From here signs bearing typical half-timbered houses show touring cyclists the way to Marienberghausen, the „Golddorf“ [gold village]. This place has already twice won the „Unser Dorf soll schöner werden“ [Beautifying Our Village] contest. Also a must is a visit to the „Bonte Kerk“: The „colourful church“ displays genuine late Gothic paintings. Depicted are, for example, the Last Judgement and Saint Antonius fighting the dragon. From Marienberghausen the route leads on to Lindscheid, where touring cyclists can obtain juices from the orchard meadows of the Bergisches Land region in the fruit press-house Weber. Moreover the „Ökodorf“ [EcoVillage] Benroth, elected in 1991„Ökologischen Dorf der Zukunft“ [Ecological village of the future], lies on the route. Wetland biotopes, dry stone walls and hedges give Benroth an individual appearance – especially in the summer months a visit to the „Ökomeile“ [EcoExhibition] is worthwhile. From Benroth one continues via the „old concrete road“ to Langenbach, Berkenroth and past Rottland manor towards Wirtenbach. Before the return back to Nümbrecht, cyclists should enjoy the peace in the beautiful timber framed village of Bruch.

The 1:20.000 cycle touring map is published by the Kommunalverlag Hans Tacken in Essen. It can be ordered from the Tourist-Information Nümbrecht and at www.kv-plan.de, costs three euros and has the ISBN: 3-89641-860-2.

Information:

Tourist-Information Nümbrecht
Lindchenweg 1
51588 Nümbrecht
Tel.: +49 2293/90 94 80
Fax: +49 2293/90 94 89
E-Mail: info@nuembrecht-online.de

www.nuembrecht.de