Getting out into the fresh air on my bike – for me, that's simply part of a perfect weekend. It doesn't always have to be a tour on well-known routes, like around Lake Baldeney, along the Ruhr River, or on the Erzbahntrasse (ore railway line). The Ruhr region has so many possibilities waiting to be discovered.

If perfect asphalt isn't essential for an exciting bike tour and you can live with minor limitations, then why not venture off the beaten track? Tours away from the... node system are often not so crowded. Yes, sometimes you might run into a nasty surprise, but usually you'll find little gems for cyclists. During my research for our new discovery tours That's how I stumbled upon this great circular tour through the Unna district – and I'm absolutely thrilled!

Tour planning for explorers

Those who want to explore new routes can, of course, make use of existing tour suggestions from others. It's also exciting to simply hop on your bike and start cycling. However, the latter usually involves a few setbacks along the way. I personally like to check Komoot beforehand for sections recommended by other cyclists. I then link these sections together to create a circular route. Sometimes you encounter unexpected problems on the spot, but most of the time it works out really well.

My discovery tour in the district of Unna

My tour suggestion for you today starts at the Gneisenau coal mine in northeast Dortmund. I'm out with my colleague Pascal and we're both equally impressed by the truly beautiful mine towers.

First, we head south along smaller town streets on the outskirts of Scharnhorst. I've omitted the detour to the former Scharnhorst coal mine for you, as there's not much to see there apart from an information panel. The scenery becomes idyllic at the Dahlwiesenbach stream, and we cycle eastwards along a good bike path.

The Alte Körne nature reserve

With every turn of the pedals, it actually gets better and better. Suddenly we're standing in the middle of a wooded area and are completely surprised by how beautiful it is for cyclists.

Information panels are placed along the path, which are particularly interesting for families. The signs explain nature very clearly – a truly fantastic nature trail. We cycle on and are amazed that a different landscape seems to appear every 500 meters or so. Sometimes it's fields, then a pond, then dense forest… You couldn't ask for more variety!

Finally, we reach the Dortmund district of Kurl. After a short stretch along the road, we quickly continue along the Körne River. Those wanting a shorter tour can simply continue cycling along the Körne. However, we opt for a short detour to the south. We pass the Wickeder Ostholz nature reserve before following the railway line to the next riverside path. At the Reckerdingsgraben, we once again enjoy relaxed cycling, as we do a little later along the Körne. Small works of art dot the path, and nature offers plenty of opportunities to breathe deeply… Wonderful!

The Seseke Trail

Finally, the Körne flows into the Seseke, and before reaching the large wastewater treatment plant, we make a short detour to the Pixel Tube. The artwork stands directly on the beautifully designed delta and is simply a fantastic photo opportunity. The artwork "Now" also offers a perfect spot for taking a truly unique photo.

We follow the Seseke Trail downstream. While we hardly saw any people along the Seseke River, there is significantly more activity at the Horstmar Lake Park in Lünen.

The situation is no different in the nearby Prussian harbor. We get a snack at the kiosk. delicious currywurst and there are many areas where we can take a short break.

The way back

After our break, we head back along the Gneisenau Trail. The cycle path along the former railway line isn't quite as well-maintained, but it's also far less busy. We make good time and eventually arrive back at our starting point at the Gneisenau coal mine site.

Conclusion: a great circular route, also suitable for families

Pascal and I were both surprised by how good this 40-kilometer loop actually was. A varied bike tour that's also very suitable for families with children. Of course, you do meet other people from time to time, but the paths aren't really crowded. The route isn't signposted, so you should have a good map with you, or better yet, a bike GPS on your handlebars.

Even more discovery tours

We have more for you more discovery tours We've compiled these suggestions to offer you alternatives to the popular hotspots. Take a look at the tour suggestions; perhaps you'll find the perfect route for you. As always, I hope you enjoy your ride!