Neheim-Möhnesee-Meschede and back along the Ruhr 114 km

Cycling trip along the Ruhr River between Neheim and Meschede, and back, with a detour to the Möhnesee on the way to, and a detour to Hellefeld on the way back. Near the start, on the cycling path on the Ruhr near Neheim, the trip connects to another trip along the Ruhr, from the Herdecke to Neheim (see https://nl.wikiloc.com/routes-fietsen/herdecke-neheim-and-back-along-the-ruhr-119-km-116706162/ ). Trip partly on cycling paths along the river. The trip offers meadows, hills, forests, the Möhnesee, bridges, timber-framed houses, castles, villages, and the picturesque town of Arnsberg. There are a few sections of fine gravel cyling paths, also suited for a road bike, on which I did this trip. There is one short stretch of cycling path with coarser gravel, which is less suited for a road bike but offers a great view of the Ruhr. Some stretches of cycling path can be busy with pedestrians and slower cyclists, so watch out. There are several opportunities to eat and drink something, with the best opportunities along the Möhnesee, in Meschede and in Arnsberg.
The trip starts at a free parking in Neheim. From the start you directly access a cycling path along the Möhne. You then continue on the L745 taking you through the Möhne valley to Niederense. Here you keep following the Möhne valley to Günne where you get to the Möhnesee reservoir dam. You continue along the lake to Delecke and the then on to Körbecke. Here you cross the Möhnesee on a bridge to the south shore. You continue east along the south shore to another dam and shortly after cycle away from the lake. You climb through forest and then descend to the the Heve valley at Neuhaus. You climb again through forest and then descend to the B229, and climb to Breitenbruch. You follow the B229, first descending, then ascending, and then descending to Arnsberg with great views when you leave the forest. In Arnsberg you cycle to the south side of the historical center with the Neumarkt and the Propstei St. Laurentius. You then turn northward and cycle along the Alter Markt to the Glockenturm and then on to the old castle ruins with a steep last section to get to the castle. You then descend to the Ruhr river and follow the valley along the L735. You follow the Ruhrtalradweg taking you three times across the Ruhr. At Oeventrop you cross the Ruhr again and follow the valley on cycle paths, one of which semi-paved. You cross the bridge near Wildshausen and then follow another semi-paved cycling path along the Ruhr. After a bridge across the Obergraben the cycling path is with coarse gravel for 700 meters, not ideal for road bikes, and you then cross the Ruhr at a beautiful spot. You continue to Freinenohl, crossing the Ruhr twice. You then follow the L743 almost all the way to Meschede, mostly on cycling paths. Near Meschede you choose a road climbing to the outskirts of Meschede and then descend to the Ruhr. You then turn back west towards the Water Castle Laer. After the castle you climb quite steeply on the L840 and then descend with great views to Calle. From here you descend to the Ruhr, cross it, and cycle on the south side of Wennemen to the entrance of the Wennetal Radweg, a cycling path on a former railroad. You follow the cycling path to Berge and then leave the Wenne valley taking a cycling route on minor roads to Altenhellefeld with quite some ascent. After descending the last stretch to Altenhellefeld you continue to Hellefeld, where the road starts to climb to the Hellefelder Höhe. The L839 road winds its way to the top and then descends all the way to Arnsberg. Here you cross the Ruhr on a cycling bridge and follow the road Auf den Kampen along the valley. You cross the Ruhr again on a cycling path (steep access), and then follow the Ruhr valley on the Rurtalradweg to Bruchhausen. This cycling path is semi-paved to Bruchhausen, and then fully ypaved to Hüsten. Then there is a semi-paved stretch wedged between Ruhr and Autobahn, and then it is paved again the last stretch to Neheim. Here you follow the Möhne back to the start.