This tour tracks one of the most daring raids of WWII, when 617 Squadron bombed the dams of the Ruhr Valley in a daring and costly raid. The Dam Busters were immortalised in the 1955 film of the same name. 75 years on, in better times, we can retrace their route and enjoy the rebuilt Dams of the Ruhr. This is a relaxing biking holiday where the roads twist and wind around the lakes of the Ruhr Valley.
DAMS OF THE RUHR VALLEY
At a Glance
Tour Dates
13 Sep 2025 21 Sep 2025
Duration
9 Days
Tour Starts in
Folkestone, UK
Tour Leaders
Travel Distance
Approx 1530 miles
Difficulty
Roads
100% Tarmac
Hire Bikes
Available
Price From
1995 £
Tour Overview
This tour begins with an overnight stop in the small town of Marche En Famenne in the north of the Ardennes before heading into the dramatic Ruhr Valley. En route to your two nights near Hagan you can visit the Bridge at Remagen Museum. Two nights near Hagan means the chance to visit the Mohne and Sorpe Dam made famous in Operation Chastise in a charming 130 mile ride spanning the Ruhr. From here we head further along the Ruhr, before a night in a beautiful schloss (castle) overlooking Edersee and the Eder Dam the third dam successfully attacked. The road around the Eder winds in and out of every bay and cove. You can enjoy dinner from the panoramic restaurant of the schloss with views across the Eder.
We leave the Ruhr and head south to another two-night stopover in UNESCO listed Rothenburg ob de Tauber. Use your free day to explore this charming medieval town almost untouched in WWII. This medieval walled town is enchanting and you can easily spend the day wandering the streets and alleys and enjoying the local wines and beer. The following day you are heading towards Baden Baden on one of the greatest riding roads in the world: the B500 or Schwarzwaldhochstrasse. The B500 is a favourite of just about every motorcycle magazine in Europe and for good reason. Stop at Mummelsee at the summit for some coffee and of course a slice of Black Forest Gateaux.
From Baden Baden we head back into the Ardennes via the WW1 Butte de Montsec Memorial for our final night in a Chateau Fort hotel and for our farewell dinner, before a last ride back to Calais and home.
Well organised with very good pre tour information, good hotels particularly SCHLOSS WALDECK and HOTEL CHATEAU LE FORT SEDAN. Katrina was very good at managing peoples wants and needs on the tour.
Motorrad Tours welcome all makes and models of bike on tour. We also have a range of BMW bikes that you can hire. All our hire bikes for Classic and European Explorer Tours are current model BMW’s complete with ABS, Heated Grips, Panniers, Top Box, Tank Bag, Inner bags for all boxes and a pre programmed BMW Navigator GPS included.
| Price option | Solo Rider Shared Room | Solo Rider Single Room | *Rider and passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riding Your Own Motorcycle | 1995 | 2495 | 2995 |
| Including an F800GS, F900GS or F900XR Hire Bike | 2940 | 3440 | 3940 |
| Including an R1300GS, R1250RS or R1250RT Hire Bike | 3120 | 3620 | 4120 |
| Including an S1000XR Hire Bike | 3165 | 3665 | 4165 |
| Including an R1300GS Adventure Hire Bike | 3255 | 3755 | 4255 |
| Including a K1600 Grand America Hire Bike | 3300 | 3800 | 4300 |
* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.
HIRE BIKES: If you are booking with a hire bike we will hand your bike over on the afternoon prior to the first tour day. This will give you a chance to get familiar with the bike, make any adjustments, arrange your packing and not waste any time on the first day riding.
Day 1 Early morning LeShuttle with a longer riding day to the small town of Marche en Famenne
Day 2 Entering the Ruhr, you visit to the Ennepe Dam en route - not involved in Operation Chastise but still remarkable
Day 3 A lovely loop ride to the Lister, Sorpe and Mohensee Dams, with time for a relaxed lunch before returning to our hotel
Day 4 Visit the Eder Dam, spend the night in a Schloss and enjoy dinner in their restaurant
Day 5 South to this unspoiled walled medieval town, staying within the walls in a former brewery.
Day 6 Relax and explore this enchanting town, don't miss the Christmas Shops, or the chance to walk the walls.!
Day 7 Ride through the Black Forest and the famous Black Forest High Road, a mecca for motorcyclists from all over Europe
- The Sorpe Dam
- The Mohnesee Dam
- The Edersee Dam
- The Ennepe Dam
- A chance to visit the Bridge at Remagen Museum
- The stunning unspoiled Medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- A night in a traditional Schloss overlooking Edersee
- The roads of the Black Forest
- Traditional German Hospitality
This was my 5th Motorrad tour, and they have all done 'what its says on the tin ' Hopefully there will be a 6th next year. I just wish I could afford the Overland Adventures
What's Included
- Pre tour pack including tour information, Michelin maps, route notes and GPS routes in Garmin/BMW format
- All accommodation as listed in the itinerary in 3 or 4 star hotels
- All breakfasts
- Welcome and farewell dinners (excludes beverages)
- Dinner at Schloss Waldeck, Edersee (excludes beverages)
- Motorrad Tours Tour Leader throughout the Tour
- LeShuttle Return crossing
- Commemorative Polo Shirt for all riders and passengers
- Expert advice and support throughout
- The protection of booking with a fully bonded tour operator
Not Included
- Fuel
- Lunches
- Dinners other than those listed
- Travel Insurance
- Anything not listed as included
Tour Availability
| From | To | Days | Nights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13-September-2025 |
21-September-2025 |
9 |
8 |
