Admittedly, it wasn't the first destination that came to mind. Instead of Alpine panoramas or coastal roads: mine shafts, urban gravel riding, and slag heap hopping? Sounds unusual at first. But that's precisely what piqued our curiosity. Three days and 330 kilometers later, it's clear: the Ruhr region is full of surprises – with an infrastructure perfectly suited for gravel riding and a diversity you wouldn't expect here.

Arriving at the “Ruhr holiday”.

Our tour started in Oberhausen. Jonas and I arrived by train in the evening – direct and uncomplicated using local transport, the bikes in the bike compartment, and full of anticipation. Hostel Veritas is a little oasis in the urban jungle of Oberhausen – with a green garden, relaxed atmosphere, and a buffet with a surprisingly large number of vegan options, settling in was easy.

At sunset, we strolled up to the Knappenhalde. It's the first real view of our tour – and it has something magical about it. The view stretches far across the Ruhr region, industrial silhouettes glow on the horizon in the evening light – staged like a Disney castle made of steel. A first little magic moment on our Ruhr holiday.

Day 1: Territory Safari – raw, loud, direct

The first full day of our Ruhr vacation – and straight into a top-notch gravel safari: We set off, 100 meters of asphalt, then a narrow path past allotments and industrial sites. After just a few moments, we're on the cycle path along the Rhine-Herne Canal. Premium gravel! We tick off one highlight after another in the first few kilometers – like the Sorcerer's Apprentice sculpture or the Slinky Springs to Fame bridge – and are amazed at how much adventure we've packed into this one day.

From the port areas, the route continues along straight canal cycle paths, past rusting relics of industrial history, through urban interstices and overgrown fringe areas. Gravel cycling right in the heart of the Ruhr region – here it's raw, loud, and direct.

Our first major stop is the Duisburg North Landscape Park. A disused steelworks that looks like the set of a post-industrial adventure film. Nature is reclaiming this surreal, man-made, enormous complex meter by meter. Plants climb high up the steel girders of the former conveyor belts. Driving through the rusty steel giants feels like traveling through a forgotten world.

Then we reach the Rhine – for me, more than just a river. I grew up on its banks 300 kilometers further south. And now, right in the heart of the Ruhr region, I encounter it again. We cruise leisurely along the dike, enjoying the vastness of the floodplains. The wind is still blowing against us, but it's supposed to shift soon. We cross the river twice – once even over a motorway bridge. Unusual, but typical for the Ruhr area.

Then we continue to the Rheinpreußen spoil tip, where the "Geleucht" – an oversized red miner's lamp – watches over the horizon like a guardian of bygone days. At the top of the spoil tip, we enjoy the panoramic view, the wind, a moment to breathe.

But the Ruhr region also has another side: amidst all the industrial aesthetics, it reveals its gentler side. We glide through small forests, along expansive fields, following rivers or old railway lines that wind like green ribbons through the region. The paths are impeccably maintained, varied, and never monotonous. We rarely cross roads or are stopped by traffic lights.

In the late afternoon, we reached our destination for the day: BernePark in Bottrop. A disused sewage treatment plant, transformed into a green cultural space – complete with overnight accommodation in converted sewer pipes. A truly well-rounded project. The pipes are minimalist, functional, surprisingly cozy – and for us, one of the highlights of the day, along with the excellent meal in the "Maschinenhaus" (Engine House).

The "working-class menu" gets straight to the point: fried potatoes, fried eggs, onions, and a side salad. Simple, hearty, honest – just like the region itself.

Day 2: Heap hopping & street food surprise

The next morning, refreshed and eager for adventure, we set off on the second day of our Ruhr holiday. Today's agenda includes slag heap hopping – over 1000 meters of elevation gain await us, which sounds crazy at first, since the Ruhr area is actually quite flat.

One of the highlights was the Tetraeder on the Beckstraße spoil heap: a striking steel structure resembling a transparent pyramid – only with three edges instead of four. The Tetraeder rises dizzyingly (!) into the sky like a modern observation tower. From here, a sweeping view opens up across the Ruhr region – a fascinating mix of industry, green spaces, and urban expanses. Jonas's legs were already a bit wobbly on the way down. Only thin steel cables and beams hold the Tetraeder's stairs and platforms in place. And you can feel every movement of other people beneath your own feet.

Around the Eickwinkel and Schurenbach spoil heaps, the terrain suddenly became more technical: narrow paths, rooty sections, steep ramps. At first, we hesitated – could we really ride this on a gravel bike? But then a local whizzed past us, effortlessly, with a huge grin on his face. Challenge accepted! We hopped back on our bikes, grabbed the line – and had a blast. Between the thrill of the trails and the panoramic views of the spoil heaps, the Ruhr region suddenly felt like a wild playground.

Countless spoil heaps later – we'd long since lost count – we reached the Hoheward spoil heap. A surprise awaited us at the top: a street food festival on the summit.

Anyone wanting to get here has to cycle or walk – no bus or train goes up here. We treat ourselves to fries and a cold beer with a view. A perfect moment.

After the slag heaps, urban cycle paths alternate with quiet stretches along the Emscher and Ruhr Valley cycle routes. Suddenly, the Ruhr region becomes quiet, almost meditative. Gentle nature, babbling brooks, birdsong – here the Ruhr area reveals its tranquil side.

We cycle past Dortmund – without really noticing the metropolis. The Emscher River and its revitalization by the Emschergenossenschaft (Emscher Cooperative) have captivated us. What was once one of Germany's dirtiest wastewater rivers is now being transformed into a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna through renaturalization – right in the heart of the Ruhr region. We follow the cycle paths along the Emscher, winding our way under and over bridges, ever eastward, until we pass Phoenix Lake. From here, we turn south. The forests become denser. The already low sun reinforces our impression that the surrounding woods are getting darker. We also realize that we have arrived at the edge of the flat Ruhr region. Hills become inclines, and the wide plains have given way to steep valleys and mountains.

We crossed the Hengsteysee lake via an old bridge and arrived at our second destination for the day – the beach house in Hagen. More fries, this time on the beach, and a completely different atmosphere – pure holiday feeling, a welcome contrast to the rugged terrain.

Day 3: Old railway lines & industrial heritage

The last day begins early. We're pushing the pace because rain is forecast for the afternoon.

The sky remains grey, it drizzles lightly on and off, but the surface is surprisingly good for driving and often protected under tree canopies.

We cycle back west along the Ruhr River – facing the wind and the threatening rain. We cross the river several times, over old railway bridges, and finally on the Hardenstein ferry. The small cable ferry, only for pedestrians and cyclists, rocks us gently across the water. The spray splashes lightly over the side, refreshing our skin and clearing our heads. Afterwards, we continue along old railway lines that wind like a green ribbon through Bochum and Essen – urban, winding, and enchanting.

Our penultimate stop takes us to the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum – another architectural monument of industrial culture, huge, imposing and quiet at the same time.

A short time later we stand in front of the Zollverein Coal Mine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of industrial culture. Between rusty structures, modern museum buildings and cobblestones, you can practically feel the soul of the Ruhr region.

The grey sky perfectly complements the apocalyptic-looking remnants of the heyday of the coal and steel industry. We cycle past seemingly endless, monstrous factory buildings and complexes. Their reddish-brown, red-brick appearance against the grey sky – pure goosebumps.

Suddenly, a colorful children's party appears to our left: soap bubbles float through the air, and the word PARADISE glows in large 3D letters. A small, quirky, magical moment by the wayside.

Back in Oberhausen, our trip ends – with the feeling of having discovered a region that is much more than steel and coal.

And finally ...

The Ruhr region is not an "easy escape". It challenges you – with its contradictions, its urban bustle, its directness.

But it also offers much: history, views, contrasts, honest encounters.

For us, the radrevier.ruhr was a surprisingly diverse gravel safari with perfect infrastructure and many highlights that make you want more.