Herdecke-Neheim and back along the Ruhr 119 km

Cycling trip along the Ruhr River between Herdecke and Neheim, and back. Near the start, on the Ruhr bridge near Herdeck, the trip connects to another trip along the Ruhr, from the Überruhr to Herdecke (see https://nl.wikiloc.com/routes-fietsen/uberruhr-herdecke-and-back-along-the-ruhr-108-km-112760740/). Trip largely on cycling paths along the river. The trip offers floodplains, meadows, hills, woods, industry, a reservoir, bridges, wetlands, timber-framed houses, castles and villages. There are a few small sections of fine gravel paths, but short enough to make the trip suited for a road bike, on which I did this trip. Some cycling paths are also used by pedestrians, so watch your speed there. There are several opportunities to eat and drink something, with the best opportunities in Herdecke and Fröndenberg.
The trip starts at a free parking in Herdecke. From the start you directly access the cycling path along the Ruhr. You arrive to the reservoir dam of the Hengsteysee with a rail bridge next to it. You continue along the reservoir and pass the RWE Koepchenwerk power storage plant, partly on a bridge. You continue along the reservoir to the L704 bridge and cross the reservoir back and forth. When you are back you continue along the reservoir, then along a railway line and back along the Ruhr. You continue to Schwerte on cycle paths, the L673, and again a cycling path along the Ruhr, with an exercise section for kayaks. At the B236 you leave the Ruhr and follow the Ruhrtalradweg to the L677 near Geisecke. Here you cross the Ruhr and follow minor roads where you also have to open a gate. You cross back to the north side of the river and follow roads to Altendorf and then Dellwig. Here you climb a bit to Strickherdicke and then to Ardey. You descend on the L673 to Fröndenberg. You pass through the center and follow minor roads and cycle paths towards Wickede. Just before Wicked you have 10 meters of gravel before continuing on a cycle route along the Ruhr. In Wickede you take a cycle bridge across the railway and continue east north of the railroad. You exit Wickede on a cycle bridge and then a bridge along the railroad bridge. You continue to Echthausen and follow the L732 to the Füchtener Strasse, on which you cross back over the Ruhr. You follow a cycle path along the A445 Autobahn which also passes a particularly nice stretch of the Ruhr which streams freely here. At Neheim you make a short excursion along the Mohne, come back to the Ruhr and cross the river a bit further. You then return west, first through Neheim and then along the B7. You then climb a bit on a cycle route to Vosswinkel. On the K22 you climb further to the airfield Arnsberg, and then descend to Echhausen. You then follow mostly minor roads on cycling routes towards Fröndenberg, and then to Halingen and then Langschede where you cross the Ruhr. A bit further you cross the Ruhr back shortly after followed by a short but steep climb. You descend again towards the Ruhr valley and climb a bit towards Hennen. You continue along the L676 to Villigst. A bit before is a short and steeper climb on the Forstweg into Villigst. You descend and continue on a cycling route to Garenfeld. Just before Garenfeld is a short gravel road before you get back to the L675. You follow this road until you cross the river Lenne. You take a brick-paved cycling path along the river back to the Ruhr and cycle along the Hensteysee back to the reservoir dam. Straight on is an unpaved cycling path along the Ruhr which will probably get paved some day soon, but is now not suited for a road bike. You therefore take a detour through a built-up area until you come near the mouth of the Volme River. Here there is a new cycling bridge across the Volme River mouth which now connects to the unpaved cycling path mentioned just before. You take a look at the bridge, then return, and take the B54 bridge across the Ruhr to Hennecke. Through a park along the river you get back to the starting point.