Urban hiking – a new trend (or not)? We've been doing it for a long time! Two urban hiking tours on September 6 and October 3 will demonstrate just how diverse the Ruhr region truly is. The route covers approximately 12 to 13,5 kilometers and takes you through urban landscapes, green spaces, and industrial monuments. Are you joining us?
The first tour, on September 6, starts at Bochum Central Station and ends at Kemnader See. Along the way, highlights include Hans Scharoun's St. John's Church, the Geological Garden, and the Ruhr University Botanical Garden. A shuttle bus will be available for a relaxing return journey.
On October 3rd we will use the holiday for a varied hike from Herne through green parks, through the beautiful Teutoburgia mining settlement and, at the end, a mountain assessment with the Schwerin slag heap, crowned by the sundial of the artist Jan Bormann.
A great way to discover the Ruhr area – join us for Urban Hiking through the Ruhr region!
Photo: Ruhr Tourism / Per Appelgren
Tours
September 06, 2025
Bochum
On September 6th, we will hike approximately 12 km from Bochum Central Station to Lake Kemnader See, visiting St. John's Church, the only church built by the famous architect Hans Scharoun, along the way. A member of the congregation will tell us how this special church came to be built. In the nearby Geological Garden, we will encounter earth history under the guidance of a staff member from the Geopark Ruhr. We will pass the Julius Philipp Malakow Tower and wander through exotic nature in the Ruhr University Botanical Garden. From there, it's not far to Lake Kemnader See, the youngest of the five Ruhr reservoirs. A shuttle bus will take us back to Bochum Central Station. Breaks are planned. Please bring your own refreshments. The tour starts at 09:30 a.m., and the tour ends at 16:00 p.m.
03 October 2025
Herne
We'll take advantage of the public holiday on October 3.10rd to hike from Herne, the most densely populated city in the Ruhr region, to the Recklinghausen district. The hike begins at Herne train station and quickly leads us through the greenery of Herne City Park and Uhlenbruch Park to the striking glass building of the Mont-Cenis Training Academy, the former site of the mine of the same name. We continue through the beautiful Teutoburgia mining settlement with its art forest. Arriving in Castrop-Rauxel and thus in the Recklinghausen district, we'll walk through Erin Park, take a break in the city center, and finish with a summit climb with the Schwerin slag heap, crowned by the sundial by the artist Jan Bormann (distance approx. 13,5 km). A shuttle bus will take us back to Herne train station. Breaks are planned. Please bring your own refreshments.