Spring made a tremendous early start in February, igniting the passion of cyclists just as fiercely as some grill masters kicked off barbecue season with too much lighter fluid. Even though the weather brought a stormy chill this week, every cyclist is surely just as excited as I am for the start of the cycling season. my railway line contribution Since it was particularly popular last year, I would like to present five more railway lines in the Ruhr area as we kick off the cycling season this year – perhaps not quite as well known as last year, but just as worth cycling and always with a specific tour suggestion in radrevier.ruhr!
No car traffic, lots of cycling fun – railway lines in the Ruhr cycling region.
Railway track cycling in the Ruhr area It's becoming increasingly popular. This is naturally due to the relaxed atmosphere away from road traffic. Even hilly terrain is traversed without steep climbs, because back then, heavily laden trains couldn't manage steep inclines either. And you arrive directly at the industrial monuments, which, after all, were once directly connected to the rail network in their previous life. For us cyclists, simply a true cycling dream.
The railway lines I'd like to introduce to you today are all interesting north-south connections. Anyone who cycles a lot in the Ruhr area knows that the east-west route is noticeably better developed and often offers several alternatives. Therefore, these railway lines are well-suited for inclusion in a circular route. I'll start in the west and then proceed eastward; simply choose the railway lines that suit you best for your next tour!
The Jacobibahn – via the old colliery railway to the Haniel spoil heap
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The Jacobibahn railway line is the best way to cycle to the Haniel spoil tip. It's one of the highest spoil tips open to cyclists and offers some of the best views in the entire Ruhr cycling region. With attractions like the Oberhausen Gasometer, the Centro shopping center, and the Osterfeld coal mine with its OLGA Park, there are many sights along this former railway line. So there's plenty to see and do on both sides of the route.
At 6,7 kilometers, the route isn't long. Unfortunately, the railway line no longer exists in the area of the former Jacobi coal mine. Here, you have to bypass the current golf course on a narrow forest path, but it's relatively easy (although wider tires are definitely an advantage). Otherwise, you can enjoy a relaxed ride along the railway embankment from Oberhausen to Bottrop.
For anyone wanting to take a proper day trip, the Jacobibahn railway is a good option to travel from Oberhausen to our RevierRoute “Landpartie” To reach it: Behind the Haniel spoil heap, from junction 16 via 17 to 18, from here you follow the RevierRoute to Hünxe and Dorsten.
Hugo Railway – Mining Tradition in Gelsenkirchen
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The Hugo Railway in Gelsenkirchen also connects the Rhine-Herne Canal with a spoil heap – in this case, the Rungenberg spoil heap. The railway line runs for over 4,7 kilometers to the former Hugo coal mine. The headframe still stands, a reminder of the era of hard coal mining. Nearby, "The Little Museum" displays many mementos of Gelsenkirchen's mining tradition. A trip up the spoil heap is also well worth it.
Those who prefer a less-than-perfect surface can opt for a shorter loop and include the "Brauker Alps" in their tour planning. From the Hugo coal mine, the route leads to the "Im Brauck" spoil heap, then past the large Mottbruch spoil heap and spoil heap 22, up to the small spoil heap 19, and then back to the starting point via the Schurenbach spoil heap. Haldenrunde Brauker Alpen It is approximately 27 kilometers long.
Avenue of Change – relaxed cycling on excellent asphalt
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The Avenue of Change stretches for over 10 kilometers from the Hoheward dump The railway line leads from Herten in a wide arc to Westerholt. The beautiful grounds of the Schlägel & Eisen coal mine are particularly worth seeing. At the end of the railway line, you can also reach the former Westerholt coal mine by taking a short detour through some local traffic. A side trip to the old village of Westerholt is also worthwhile.
The quickest way back to the starting point is via Hertener Straße and then through Herten Castle Park. The impressive grounds of the Ewald coal mine in Herten make this a truly beautiful mining tour in the Ruhr region.
There are current plans to convert the existing tunnel through the Hoheward spoil heap into a cycle path. This would further enhance the Avenue of Change. So, it remains exciting…
King Ludwig route
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Something new for me too – the König-Ludwig-Trasse, which was expanded in 2018. It currently runs for 8,8 kilometers from the Rhine-Herne Canal through Recklinghausen-Suderwich and seems to end in the middle of nowhere. However, this railway cycle path offers excellent cycling enjoyment and is, in my opinion, one of the most attractive and authentic railway lines in the Ruhr area. At the starting point by the canal, informative panels explain the history of the port and the König-Ludwig-Trasse.
Initially, the path quality leaves something to be desired, but later I'm cycling on excellent asphalt. Along the way, I repeatedly pass interesting mining relics. The route runs past the former König-Ludwig I/II and IV/V colliery sites and other relics of the industrial age, such as the "Waggonbau Heinrich Wilhelm" factory. Active businesses are also occasionally located along the route. Everything isn't overly polished; instead, I experience the typical, authentic Ruhr region. For me, the König-Ludwig route has just jumped to number one on my list of favorite railway routes in the radrevier.ruhr region.
Those wishing to continue cycling can take field paths to the Henrichenburg ship lift, which is a real gem. From there, the Emscher Trail leads back to the starting point. This makes the tour a 24-kilometer-long circuitOr you can take a shortcut like I did and go directly to... Emscher.
The King Ludwig Trail is also slated for further construction. If all goes well, we can then look forward to a beautiful connection high into the vast Haard forest.
The former Klöckner railway line – cycling along railway lines in the eastern Ruhr area
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In the eastern Ruhr region, the Klöcknerbahn railway line is one of the most important railway cycle paths. The tour is 13,3 kilometers long and runs from Bönen to Bergkamen. The Königsborn coal mine is recommended as a starting point. From here, the route follows the Max-von-der-Grün-Weg to Heeren. Here, the path partially deviates from the actual railway line. Heading north, the route then rejoins the classic railway cycle path, crossing the Seseke river and passing the A2 motorway before reaching Bergkamen.
North of Overberge, the Klöcknerbahn railway line ends, but the route continues as a colliery railway to the Datteln-Hamm Canal and across the Lippe River to Stockum. However, for a day trip, I recommend a figure-eight route. Klöcknerbahn – Datteln-Hamm Canal – Sesekeweg, which is 44 kilometers long. Parts of the Klöcknerbahn railway are also included in our RevierRoute. "Elephant round" there.
And now, "switch off" and get on your bike!
I hope these railway lines and tour suggestions have given you some inspiration for your next cycling trips. You can find more tour suggestions in our new tour booklet "RevierRouten" or in our 1:100.000 scale cycling map. You can order a free information pack from the radrevier.ruhr website, so you'll be perfectly equipped for the start of the cycling season. Now get on your bike as soon as possible! After all, radrevier.ruhr is waiting to be explored!
