The photo shows cyclists at the Hallenhaus on the Halde Norddeutschland in Neukirchen-Fluyn

Typical cycling area.ruhr – railway lines, heaps, mines and more

The Ruhr area is one of the few cycling regions in Germany that combines a dense, tourist cycle path network with the urban offer and comfort of a city travel destination. The impressive industrial culture of the region is THE unique selling point compared to other cycling regions. In addition to imposing industrial monuments, the heaps and workers' settlements also tell the history of the Ruhr area. For cyclists, these count above all disused railway lines as well as those by the water canal bank paths to the highlights when cycling in the radrevier.ruhr.

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What makes cycling in the Ruhr area special

The photo shows cyclists on the Rheinische Bahn in Essen on the RevierRoute Grubenfahrt

Cycling on disused railway lines 

Once the railways were the central backbone of industrialization, today the cycle paths on the former railway lines are among the flagships of the radrevier.ruhr. Away from road traffic and without significant inclines, the railway lines connect many (industrial) cultural sights. A cycling holiday can hardly be more relaxed and safer.

The photo shows cyclists at the Ewald colliery in Herten

Industrial culture in the Ruhr area 

Cycling through a disused steel works past blast furnaces, taking a walk along the monument path of a mine with UNESCO World Heritage status or admiring an exhibition in a former gas storage facility. In no other region are there so many industrial monuments so close together as in the Ruhr area. 

The photo shows two cyclists at sunset on the Haniel heap in Bottrop

Halden - The mountains of the Ruhr area 

They are the landmarks of the region, popular photo motifs and should therefore not be missing on any cycle tour in the Ruhr area. The man-made heaps have been lovingly restored and crowned with works of art. Each heap is unique proof that the structural change from a former industrial region to a travel destination for cyclists can work. 

The photo shows a cyclist in the Teutoburgia workers' settlement in Herne

workers' settlements and garden cities 

If you want to immerse yourself in the life of the people in the Ruhr area - and understand the self-image of the residents, you should take a look at one of the many workers' housing estates in the Ruhr area. Some settlements are easily accessible by bike. You will quickly notice that each settlement has its own character.

The photo shows cyclists on the cycle path along the Rhein-Herne Canal at the Oberhausen Gasometer

Riverside paths & towpaths  

Bike paths along the water are always popular sections of a cyclist's trip planning. Along the Ruhr, the RuhrtalRadweg often leads along former towpaths directly along the water on paths on which horses used to pull cargo ships up the Ruhr. Along the artificial shipping canals, you can just as easily cycle away from the traffic. 

The photo shows a cyclist on the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein in Essen at the junction board of junction 59 on the Grubenfahrt RevierRoute

Junction system for easy orientation 

The junction system is becoming more and more popular as a guidance system for cyclists. Originally developed in the Netherlands, it now also makes orientation on bike tours easier in the Ruhr area. Instead of following unknown district names on the signposts, cyclists today simply follow the two-digit junction numbers. 

The photo shows a bicycle on the Rheindamm in Duisburg

Digital bike tour planner 

Our radtourenplaner.ruhr supports you with digital orientation. As a free application - both on the home PC and as a mobile phone app for on-site navigation - the digital bike tour planner helps you to always stay on the right path. A smooth exchange with other systems is always guaranteed via the GPX file format.