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.
What makes cycling in the Ruhr area special
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.