Routes
The local and regional trails that have been developed over the last two decades, and the geographical and thematic clusters which have been built up, make an ideal basis for exploring the region.
Alongside the "Industrial Heritage Trail" which comprises circular trails by foot, bike or car, the Emscher cyclists trail, the Emscher Park cyclists trail, the Ruhr Valley cyclists trail and the Hellweg cycling route all connect the Ruhr with the surrounding regions. These, in turn, include the Roman route, the Imperial route, and the Westphalian Hills route, a considerable part of which leads through the Ruhr. In addition there are countless hiking trails, local and regional theme routes like the Ruhr Hills route from Witten to Wetter, the Emscherbruch ore railway line, the Muttental circular mining trail, the "culture path" in Essen, and the Ruhr Geological Route (GeoRoute Ruhr), which leads through the "National GeoPark Ruhr Area" from Schwerte to Mülheim an der Ruhr. To this can be added the 25 theme routes along the "Industrial Heritage Trail" which take inquisitive guests in search of "Historical Parks and Gardens", "Bread, Corn and Beer", "Landmark Art" and "Tycoon's Villas", to name but a few. Trips on vintage trains along the Ruhr Valley and the Ennepetal railway, by boat on the Ruhr and the Rhine-Herne canal, canoe and paddle boat tours, not forgetting guided tours by professional organisations, are all favourites with day trippers and locals alike.
RUHR.2010 routes:
• Ruhrlights/Twilights Ruhrillumination
• Still-Life A40
• emscherKUNST.2010
• Culture Canal
• Walking on Water
• The Domestic Culture Trail
• Designkiosk RUHR.2010
Find more under this external link:
• Route der Industriekultur (Industrial Heritage Trail, both in English and German)