When the leaves change color and the Autumn As autumn arrives, cyclists have two options to fully immerse themselves in the "golden season." Either they cycle right into the heart of the golden forests, which is wonderfully possible in the Haard, the Kirchheller Heide, the Ennepe-Ruhr district, or the forests south of Duisburg. Or they climb to viewpoints from which they can admire the vibrant display of colors from above. Today, I'll introduce you to the second option. On the "Haldenglück" RevierRoute, you can enjoy the colorful autumn foliage of the forests with wonderful panoramic views from above.

The RevierRoute “Haldenblick” in the heart of the Ruhr area

In total, there are 15 themed routes through the Ruhr region, each telling a specific story. The "Haldenglück" (Slag Heap Bliss) route is just under 40 kilometers long (not including the climbs up the slag heaps) and shows us cyclists the hills of the Ruhr region – the HaldenFrom Essen Central Station, the route takes you to Recklinghausen Station. You'll then return to your starting point by train. This Ruhr region route features four beautiful viewpoints: the Rheinelbe, Pluto, Hoppenbruch, and Hoheward spoil heaps.

We start at Essen Central Station.

Essen Central Station is ideally connected to the German Rail network, so getting there from all directions should be very easy. The elevators are admittedly a bit cramped, but even with an e-bike you should be able to get down from the platforms without any problems. The tour then starts right at the station. Junction 58.

The tour begins in Essen's city center. Although large sections of the pedestrian zone are off-limits to cyclists, a section is still permitted. Passing Kennedy Square, the route takes me north to the chic new university district. From junction 57, I follow the signs to junction 59 through smaller city streets, many of which have been converted into cycle streets. While this first part isn't among the most scenic cycling routes in Germany, it's perfectly acceptable for a major city. After several intersections, I finally leave the urban jungle behind, as the route takes me through a charming allotment garden community, bypassing a construction site.

The first highlight: the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein in Essen

A few more pedal strokes and I reach the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage ZollvereinI cycle past the former coking plant, then reach the old 1/2/8 mine shaft complex. Of course, you should make the short detour to the popular photo spot in the courtyard in front of shaft 12. I also highly recommend a visit to the Portal of Industrial Heritage, the Ruhr Museum, and a guided tour along the heritage trail.

As a cyclist, I finally move on. Passing the enormous cube of the SANAA building, I leave the grounds via Zollvereinweg. At last, I'm on a railway line And the cycling becomes more relaxed again. After just a few meters, I turn right at junction 60. The tour takes me past the mine headframe of the Phänomania Science Center, and a little later the Bonifacius coal mine shaft shimmers through the leaves of the trees along the roadside.

The first spoil heap: the Himmelstreppe (Stairway to Heaven) on the Rheinelbe spoil heap

I quickly reach Gelsenkirchen via the Kray-Wanne railway line. Here, the first small climb awaits me. I reach the... via a gravel path. Rheinelbe dumpAlong the path are exhibits belonging to the sculpture forest of the artist Hermann Prigann. A small lake lies just below the "Stairway to Heaven," and then I'm already at the top. The Rheinelbe spoil tip is one of the lower ones, so the climb is quick. The view from up here is still worthwhile, though.

The artwork atop the spoil heap is often referred to as the "Stairway to Heaven." And for anyone wanting to show off their trivia up here: the Rheinelbe spoil heap is one of the few that actually "burn." You can't see it, but measuring instruments have determined that the coal residue generates heat due to the pressure of the pile. Temperatures of up to 400 degrees Celsius have been recorded.

Cycling along railway lines at its finest here in the Ruhr area

Back down again, I continue east along the Kray-Wanner railway line and turn at the Erzbahnbude onto the ore railway route Head north. The path now descends gently, and you have to be careful not to miss the turnoff to the Pluto spoil tip. It's not very high either, and while it doesn't offer a 360-degree view, it does provide lovely vistas of the Pluto and Unser Fritz collieries, and a little further away, the Consol colliery in Gelsenkirchen. The best thing about the Pluto spoil tip is that it's rarely visited, so you usually have it all to yourself. It's ideal for a bit of peace and quiet to recharge your batteries.

Across the Grimberger Sichel into the Emscherbruch

After just a few minutes, the "Haldenglück" trail leads me past the ZOOM Erlebniswelt zoo to the Rhine-Herne Canal. I cross the beautifully curved "Grimberger Sichel" bridge to reach the northern bank.

I cross the Emscher River and am now in the so-called Emscherbruch. Unfortunately, the original route is currently closed due to roadworks, so I'm following the detour. The Emscherbruch is a beautiful wooded area, and a lake is nestled picturesquely within this natural landscape.

The Hoppenbruch spoil heap – not just interesting for freeriders

Finally, you reach the grounds of the Ewald coal mine and the surrounding Hoppenbruch and Hoheward spoil heaps. First, I cycle up the Hoppenbruch spoil heap, which many simply call the "spoil heap with the wind turbine." Under mountain bikersThe spoil heap has gained an excellent reputation, especially among freeriders. Several beautiful trails, some with spectacular jumps, have been legally created here. But regular touring cyclists can also climb to the plateau with its wind turbine via a wide gravel path and enjoy the view, particularly of the more famous neighboring spoil heap.

The largest spoil heap landscape in Europe: the Hoheward spoil heap

I find it inconceivable that this mountain was actually created entirely by human hands. Together with the Haniel spoil tip in Bottrop, it belongs to the Hoheward dump Among the highest slag heaps in the Ruhr region. With its sheer size, the Hoheward Landscape Park is even the largest slag heap landscape in Europe! The climb is quite a climb, and you'll definitely be out of breath. But the panoramic view is simply magnificent – ​​my absolute highlight of the "Haldenglück" (Slag Heap Bliss) RevierRoute.

After an incredibly delicious (and enormous!) slice of blueberry cake at Café Ewald, I set off on the last few kilometers. I continue along the Avenue of Change to Recklinghausen. A major construction site takes me back into city traffic, but then I catch the train back to Essen.

For me, a beautiful and quite challenging tour, perfectly suited to autumn. So, hop on your bikes and follow along!