Hiking in the Ruhr region - the most beautiful routes for day trips

The Ruhr region is still regarded as a grey industrial region with its mining past, characterised by blast furnaces and old collieries. But unfortunately, most people don't realise that the Ruhr region has beautiful lakes, rivers and woodland areas far removed from its industrial heritage.

The industrial heritage itself is also well worth seeing and the Ruhr region has much more to offer in terms of its historical past. On the hiking trails, you can follow the history of this region or lose yourself in untouched nature.

We have picked out a few of the most beautiful and varied hiking trails for you here - one of them even directly at our location in Essen.

27 km - 600 metres in altitude - very good physical condition required - 7h round trip - Highlights: Korte Klippe & Baldeneysee

The varied circular route starts at various points. However, the best place to park is at the barrage. From here you have a fantastic view of the Baldeneysee.

It is best to walk the Baldeneysteig in an anti-clockwise direction. The hiking trail is super signposted - so you don't need to worry about straying from the path. At first, the trail leads through a beautiful settlement and across a cemetery until you finally reach a wonderful forest section. From the forest, you have a great view over the lake and then follow some fields until you gradually descend to the shore of the lake.

You won't stay here for long, however, as the path meanders slightly uphill into the undergrowth again. At the end of this stage, you follow a new housing estate back to Lake Baldeney, which you then cross. There are many benches on the bridge that invite you to linger. Take a rest here and enjoy the view before continuing on.

The route now continues along the lake - first through the Heisinger Bogen bird sanctuary. This area provides a resting place for migratory birds and is home to rare bird species. After a while, the path leads you up the cliffs. A favourite detour and wonderful viewpoint is the Korte Cliff. From here, you can marvel at the panorama over the entire Baldeneysee.

The path winds uphill and downhill and takes you to Villa Hügel - the former residence of the Krupp family**. The villa and the surrounding park can be visited. The route then takes you through the beautiful ThyssenKrupp Forest, which in itself is a beautiful excursion destination. You cross the federal railway 224 and from here you reach the Heissipark, where there is a game reserve. Finally, a path leads you downhill back to your starting point.

22 km - 240 metres in altitude - good physical condition required - 5.5 h walking time - Highlights: Westruper Heide & the Haard

The Hohe-Mark-Steig long-distance hiking trail runs for 150 kilometres from Wesel to Olfen. Haltern am See is located in the northern Ruhr area in the district of Recklinghausen. The lake itself is also a wonderful excursion destination - but this is not our main focus. The trail crosses the Westruper Heide and the Haard along the way. We recommend doing this hike in mid-August. This is when the heathland is in bloom and everything is a vibrant purple colour.

The trail starts directly at the Halterner Stausee. There are numerous car parks along the railway line 58 (Hullerner Straße). As this is not a circular route, you should ask to be dropped off here if necessary.

The Hohe-Mark-Steig is well marked with pink signs. These markings initially follow the lake in an easterly direction and lead you directly to the highlight of this tour - the Westruper Heide. This heath and dune landscape is definitely worth a visit. Information boards provide information about the heath landscape and you can let your gaze wander at the viewpoints.

Once you cross the main road, the path leads you into a section of forest before crossing the Wesel-Datteln Canal. After walking through the small village of Flaesheim, you reach the second highlight of the route. The Haard is a beautiful wooded area with a very well developed network of paths.

The hiking trail leads you to the Rennberg (138 m), on which a fire watch tower stands. From the viewing platform you have a fantastic panoramic view over the landscape as far as the Münsterland and Ruhr area in good weather.

From here, follow the signposts through the southern Haard with its wonderful paths, moss-covered trees and ferns along the way. This stage of the Hohe Mark Trail gradually draws to a close and this day trip ends at the Haardgrenzweg car park. Hiking in the Ruhr region can also be very relaxing away from the hustle and bustle.

16 km - 336 metres in altitude - good physical condition required - 5.5 h walking time - Highlights: Ewald colliery & Hoheward spoil tip

Would you like to find out more about the industrial culture of the Ruhr region and immerse yourself in the history of mining? In the northern Ruhr region, a real "slag heap landscape" stretches from Bottrop to Castrop-Rauxel. Hiking in the Ruhr region and mining history are combined here.

The 12 created tours through the Ruhr region can also be accompanied by a personal guide or by app. Today we would like to introduce you to the New Horizons and the Forgotten Valley route.

The route starts at the Hoheward visitor centre at the colliery of the same name, where you follow the forest promenade to the Mondsee. From here, the route first goes up to the Hoppenbruch slag heap, on which there is a wind turbine. At the top, you have a beautiful panoramic view of the entire Ruhr region** and, in good weather, you can discover the Tetraeder in Bottrop or the Deutsche Bergbau-Museum Bochum with the Förderurm.

You then walk in the direction of the Hoheward spoil tip to the height of the promenade path, which winds around the spoil tip for approx. 5.5 kilometres and invites visitors to linger on its several balconies. Don't stay on this level for long, however, but follow the path immediately afterwards to the Hoheward sundial, where you can read the current time.

The path then winds its way down to the dragon bridge, which - as the name suggests - resembles a dragon. On the Hohewarder Nordwand, 529 steps** lead you up to the horizon observatory. Descend to the north tunnel portal. The colliery railway used to run here. Then follow the path back towards Ewald colliery. Here, another staircase leads downhill - uphill you will find the Ewaldpore, from which you also have an impressive view of the surrounding area.

Do you fancy a nice hike through the Ruhr region now? As you can see, hiking in the Ruhr region seems to be very varied. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes, rainwear and the right rucksack.