I have already traveled many kilometers through our radrevier.ruhr I've cycled a lot, but there was still a big gap in my route in the south. It was time for me to change that. The 58-kilometer "From Ruhr to Ruhr" tour seemed perfect for filling that gap in the Ennepe-Ruhr district. The circular route takes you from Hattingen via Sprockhövel north to Witten, then another 20 kilometers... Ruhr Valley Cycle Path along, until you arrive back in Hattingen.
Taking the train to the tour start
I chose Hattingen as my starting and finishing point. Getting there is straightforward and I highly recommend taking the train. Alternatively, you can also arrive by car, as parking is free at the Henrichshütte site. My colleague Jochen, who is accompanying me today, and I take a quick sip from our water bottles and then we're off.
From the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path onto the route
From the train station, I cycle only a few hundred meters until I reach the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path. The sun's rays, which make the Ruhr River sparkle, boost my already good mood even further, and I enjoy the fantastic view of the Ruhr cascades for a moment.
After a relaxing 2 kilometers on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path, I leave it again and ride for a few minutes along the road traffic until I come across the coal railway route of the "From Ruhr to Ruhr" tour.
A historically significant route lies before me.
What I didn't know at the time was that I was about to embark on a route with a history spanning over 130 years. Built in 1884 by the Rhenish Railway Company, it served to transport local coal. It was closed in 1979 for economic reasons.
So I cycle along the finest bike paths through the natural landscape of the EN-CircleThe trees provide shade, and all in all, it's very idyllic here. A highlight for me is the Schulenberg Tunnel. It's 195 meters long, and since it's very warm today, the coolness inside the tunnel is very welcome.
The mountain has been climbed.
Having reached the southernmost point of the tour, we've almost made it. We've climbed 200 meters in altitude, and although that doesn't sound like much, I can feel that my legs have had to work hard to get here. We take a short break, and I chat with Jochen about what we've experienced so far and the kilometers ahead. Then it's back in the saddle.
We continue along the coal railway towards Gevelsberg. We have a beautiful view from up here over the landscape of the Ennepe-Ruhr district, but unfortunately, for a few kilometers, this marks the end of what has been a pleasant ride.
The end of the coal railway
We descend from the coal railway and have to turn onto a road without a cycle path for 2 kilometers. The country road is downhill and somewhat busy, so unfortunately, it's not recommended for a trip with small children. The section isn't long, but unavoidable. The descent is quick, and we barely reach the country road before we leave it again. We now cycle through small villages, across fields, and past grazing cows before finally reaching Wengern and the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path.
More highlights await along the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path
The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route is one of the most popular cycle routes in the Ruhr region. The section between Witten and Hattingen is not only scenically stunning, but the quality of the path is also excellent. After just a few kilometers, we reach another highlight of the tour: the Nachtigall Colliery. Mining operations ceased here as early as 1892. Today, the LWL Industrial Museum presents the early phase of industrialization in the Ruhr Valley.
We continue downstream towards Hattingen. Shortly before Lake Kemnade, we cross the Ruhr River, and I was expecting a bridge here, but to my delight, a ferry takes us to the other side. The Hardenstein Ruhr Valley Ferry has been transporting cyclists and hikers to the other side for over 10 years. Those who wish can take a break in the beer garden of the old lock keeper's house. The menu offers a small selection of drinks and food, all available at reasonable prices.
The final kilometers of our "From Ruhr to Ruhr" tour lie ahead. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Path leads us along Lake Kemnade, and in the distance, the Henrichshütte colliery tower, marking our destination, already comes into view. Driven by our now weary legs, we approach the starting point of the tour. From the bridge, I take one last look at the Ruhr River and the fields outside Hattingen, and then it's home, to the other end of the Ruhr cycling region, to Moers.
My conclusion about the Ruhr tour
My bike trip to the southern part of the Ruhr cycling region was definitely worthwhile. The cycle paths are mostly wonderful, offering unique highlights that make the tour special, and the landscape of the Ennepe-Ruhr district is breathtaking. Unfortunately, the section we cycled on the main road isn't yet ideal and definitely needs improvement. Anyone planning this tour should be prepared for long stretches of uphill and downhill riding; therefore, I recommend not taking it with young children. To everyone else with the necessary stamina, I wish you a wonderful "From Ruhr to Ruhr" tour and lots of fun in the Ruhr cycling region.
An article by Florian Ikenmeyer, who worked in marketing for the radrevier.ruhr project of Ruhr Tourism from 2016 to 2019.
