The essentials at a glance

Explore the Ruhr region on a star tour from Schlosshotel Hugenpoet in Essen. Cycle through industrial heritage sites including Zollverein colliery (UNESCO World Heritage), Gasometer Oberhausen, and Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park. Daily routes of 49-65 km follow disused railway lines and canals through green oases, former coal mines, and along the Ruhr river. Easy to medium difficulty on predominantly car-free cycle paths.

Itinerary

Individual arrival to Essen. Use the time for a visit to the Folkwang Museum, or a visit to the cathedral with its cathedral treasury, or the synagogue right next door.

In Gelsenkirchen's Nordsternpark, there are many reminders of the former colliery that once stood here. Numerous colliery buildings have been integrated into the park (the Federal Garden Show was held here in 1997). The park is dominated by the 18 metre high ‘Hercules of Gelsenkirchen’. The circular tour also leads over two slag heaps, which are also home to modern sculptures. From here you have a wonderful view of the area.

The first stop is probably one of the world's most unusual exhibition halls, the gasometer in Oberhausen. The tour continues along the Rhine-Herne Canal to the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park around a disused ironworks site. See how nature is reclaiming the site.

You cycle to Mülheim via the cycle highway. Up the Ruhrauf you pass through some small, cosy districts: Saarn (monastery and beautiful old town), Kettwig, Werden (former abbey). The Villa Hügel (former home of the Krupp family) rises above Lake Baldeney. Round off the day's cycling in one of the many beer gardens along the Ruhr.

This tour is all about mining. In Bochum, you can go underground and experience what it was like in the coal mines back then. The tour continues along the ore railway line to the Zollverein colliery, probably the most beautiful colliery in the world and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.

Tour character

Easy

Easy to medium difficulty. Predominantly very good cycle paths without car traffic on disused railway lines or along rivers or canals. Short stages also on moderately busy roads. If the day becomes too long due to the many worthwhile stops, the next railway station is usually not far away.

Green topographic map showing cycling routes connecting Essen with surrounding cities including Duisburg, Bochum, Gelsenkirchen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, and Kettwig. White lines indicate cycle paths with red dots marking city locations.

Large metal walkable sculpture resembling a roller coaster with loop in Ruhr area. Industrial buildings and smokestacks visible in background.

Essen based in one hotel | Deluxe

6 Days

(1)

Prices & dates

Printed route book – sustainability with Rückenwind

Your travel package includes a digital route book as standard. If you would like a printed version, please let us know when you book. The surcharge is € 20 per route book and you will receive your copy on site. Join us in contributing to even greater sustainability!

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included

5 nights in the booked category
Breakfast
One multi-course dinner in the hotel's restaurant during your stay
Cat. Deluxe: minibar filled with soft drinks
Free WLAN
Carefully prepared itinerary
Digital travel documents
Navigation app and GPS data
Rental bike insurance
7-day service hotline

Excluded

Arrival and departure
parking fees
Spa and local taxes where applicable
transfers
Optional sightseeing
travel insurance
Expenses for personal use

Extras

Arrival / parking

Limited number of parking spaces available, no reservations possible.
Good rail connections to/from Essen.

Note:

For guests in the Deluxe category, the cycle tour begins on day 2 at Essen Central Station and on days 3 and 5 at the Sheraton Hotel in Essen. Guests are responsible for their own travel to these locations; Essen-Kettwig station is only 2 kilometres from the hotel.

Hotels

Schlosshotel Hugenpoet

The hotel is located in the centre of Essen's leafy south, in the beautiful district of Kettwig. With 36 individually furnished rooms and suites, a villa, a restaurant and a bar, the Wasserschloss is a member of the "Feinen Privathotels" and "QL Hotels & Restaurants". The huge castle park and nearby golf courses offer relaxation.

Website

Further information

Further important information in accordance with the "Pauschalreisegesetz" (Package Travel Act) can be found here!