I've already told you a few things Railway lines in the Ruhr area I've featured several former railway lines that have been transformed into truly beautiful cycle paths. Today, I'd like to recommend a tour that connects some of the best railway lines over a distance of almost 60 kilometers. This guarantees a fantastic cycling experience, mostly away from road traffic. It's just the thing for the upcoming weekend.

Cycling along railway lines in the Ruhr area is simply a dream.

This circular tour connects some of the best railway cycle paths in the Ruhr area. Rhenish railway, Grugatrasse, Ruhrtalbahn, Springorum-Trasse, ore railway routeThe Kray-Wanner railway line and finally the Zollvereinweg – you can hardly get more railway lines than this! Only in the centers of Essen and Bochum does the route run along roads, but even these are reasonably bicycle-friendly.

Start at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein

An ideal starting point for this circular tour is the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein in Essen. It's easily accessible by public transport, and there's plenty of parking. If you need a bike, you can rent one directly from RevierRad (a little tip: it's best to reserve in advance!). The tour follows the new junction network system; you'll find the numbers in the information box below. So, let's start right at junction 59, which is currently beautifully surrounded by colorful flowers.

The route initially leads through the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, then I follow the signs into Essen city center. So, at the beginning, I'm mostly on roads. These are mostly smaller, lightly trafficked streets, some even designated as cycle paths. Due to construction work, the route currently (as of June 2019) leads through the lovely allotment gardens at Arendahlswiese. Please be especially considerate of pedestrians here, as cycling isn't normally permitted without the construction. However, you should take the time to enjoy the views of the beautiful gardens anyway, so cycling slowly here is definitely recommended.

The Rhenish Railway and the Grugatrasse

A few more streets in Essen's city center, and then the first railway cycle path of this tour, the Rheinische Bahn, finally begins at the University of Essen. One day, a cycle superhighway is planned to run along here. For now, it's a regular railway cycle path, initially paved, later becoming a compacted gravel surface. I pass two artificial lakes, Kruppsee and Niederfeldsee, which have noticeably enhanced the appeal of the district. The route heads quickly westward, and it would be easy to cycle all the way to Mülheim an der Ruhr, but shortly after the Mülheim city limits, at junction 1, the route branches off onto the Grugatrasse.

The Grugatrasse initially leads uphill to Rüttenscheid and then a rapid descent back down into the Ruhr Valley. There I come across the Ruhr Valley Cycle Pathwhich I continue to follow towards Bochum. For the first few kilometers, I am still traveling on a former railway line. An information panel at the side of the path explains the early history of mining in the Ruhr region.

After crossing to the south side of the Ruhr, the route follows the former towpath directly along the water. This section, where horses once pulled ships upstream, is arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route – a true natural gem in the heart of the Ruhr region.

I cross the Ruhr River again via the pontoon bridge to Bochum-Dahlhausen. After a bit of city traffic, I arrive at the newly opened Springorum Trail.

Freshly opened for you: the Springorum route

Until recently, the old railway line was a really bumpy forest track, more suitable for mountain bikers. Now, the Springorum Trail is one of the new flagship railway cycle paths in the Ruhr area, as it leads, freshly paved, right into Bochum city center.

The new asphalt is tempting for fast cycling. Which is a shame, really, because there are some interesting information panels along the way, part of a mining heritage trail. Admittedly, the panels have seen better days, but they still offer some fascinating insights into early mining in the Ruhr region.

Summer in the City – Bochum city center in the height of summer

It's incredibly hot today, and after the climb, I feel like I'm glowing like a piece of charcoal on a grill. I cycle through the city, glancing somewhat enviously at the bustling street cafes and restaurants. But I'm still drawn straight on to the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, as I still have several kilometers ahead of me. The route leads me out of the city again, past the town hall with its enormous bell from the Bochum Steelworks outside.

The Erzbahn route

A short, unfortunately rather unpleasant stretch along Alleestraße and I can finally escape the city traffic again in Westpark near the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum. Here it's really green around me again.

My descent begins at the unusual Erzbahnschwinge (ore railway swing) and continues along the Erzbahntrasse (ore railway trail) to the popular Erzbahnbude (ore railway hut). It's packed as always, and today there's even live music. I continue on, because there's already another thunderstorm brewing – a bit of déjà vu, since my Tour with Sandra There was already thunder behind our backs.

The Kray Wanner Railway

From the popular cycling meeting place, Erzbahnbude, I'm now heading back to Zollverein. The Kray-Wanner Railway takes me westwards on excellent asphalt. Initially, I hoped to outsmart the thunderstorm, but I was wrong. Luckily, the large trees along the tracks offer good shelter from the rain.

I leave the Himmelstreppe (Stairway to Heaven) to my left because of the now light rain and approach my starting point at Zollverein.

Last but not least: the Zollvereinweg

The last railway line on this tour is the Zollvereinweg, which quickly leads me back to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sun has come out again, and the cycle path is steaming more than many a chimney in its heyday. Along the way, I pass the Phänomania Science Center, another truly beautiful colliery headframe that originally belonged to the Zollverein Coal Mine.

After the final straight, I arrive at Zollverein and enjoy the beautiful evening atmosphere on the grounds. My conclusion: a really lovely circuit that's simply fun to drive. Anyone who takes the time to read the many information panels along the way can learn a great deal about the history of the Ruhr region.

My culinary tip for this tour: The Wolperding!

For all lovers of delicious grilled chicken, I recommend stopping at the lovely beer garden of the Wolperding. It's located near the Kray-Wanner railway line, near the end of the tour, making it the perfect place to refuel after your hike. The Wolperding is situated on the grounds of the former Bonifacius coal mine in Essen-Kray. Almost all the dishes feature chicken, but of course, there are also vegetarian options. My favorite is the "Bonifacius" chicken with delicious herbs and garlic.