Ruhrtal

The Ruhr Valley offers a wide variety of possibilities to experience almost untouched nature in the Essen city area and beyond. Rudolf Korte (Essen's former Director of Horticulture in his article "Vom Essener Grün"; Deutschlands Städtebau Essen, Dari-Verlag, H. Ehlgötz, 1925) described the Ruhr Valley as follows: "Where the residential city with its country-house character climbs the forested heights of the Ruhr Hills, the wide strip of the large green spaces covers the entire southern fringe of the city area with its appealing folds, concealing homely and cosy farmsteads and cottages and falling steeply into the romantic magic of the Ruhr Valley." The Ruhrhöhen path runs from the source of the Ruhr to its estuary. The trail is roughly 240 kilometres long and seldom runs directly along the bank but follows the river in the neighbouring hills and mountains of the Ruhr Valley. The Ruhr meanders through the Essen city area for about 23 km. Numerous old historical suburbs, such as Werden and Kettwig, as well as numerous forts and castles lie on the river. You will find further information on the Ruhr Valley cycle path here.