A Day by the River
Family Tours on the RuhrtalRadweg
The RuhrtalRadweg invites the whole family to spend a day by the river!
We’ve selected three sections of the trail for you that offer plenty of highlights along the way—perfect for families.
The tours are best suited for families with elementary-school-aged children who already ride their own bikes and want to experience their first slightly longer bike rides. Even with younger children riding in a trailer, the tours are easy to manage thanks to gentle inclines and lovely stops along the way.
On the RuhrtalRadweg, you can enjoy a relaxed family ride, mostly away from traffic, by following the signs for the river bike trail. This makes navigation easier and is also fun for the kids as they figure out the right path. We’ll still provide you with the appropriate maps, including information on how to get there and back, as well as family-friendly highlights along the way. All route sections can also be found on Komoot. The tours are designed so that you can easily combine them into a day trip with as many stops as you like at playgrounds, sights, or cafés and restaurants.
For safety reasons, we ask that you, of course, be careful and keep an eye on your children at all times. The route sections are chosen to minimize traffic. However, at one or two points, crossing intersections is unavoidable. There are also cyclists, pedestrians, and dog owners on the bike path—mutual consideration makes for a more enjoyable ride. Wearing a helmet is highly recommended for the little ones—just as it is for adults.
We look forward to your feedback and tips on how we can make the tours even better!
Fox Trail
This family tour lets you explore a section of the RuhrtalRadweg in the Sauerland. Unlike the other two routes, this one focuses more on the act of biking itself, so it’s better suited for children who really enjoy biking and are already able to handle longer rides.
Please also note that you’ll be cycling against the river’s flow—traditionally, the start is at the mouth of the river and the finish at the source. However, since the trail is signposted in both directions, you can easily ride this tour in the opposite direction as well.
The tour starts at the train station in Fröndenberg/Ruhr; if you’d rather travel by car instead of by train, you can also leave your car at the Park & Ride lot and then take the train back later. Within the first few kilometers of the tour, you’ll come across the Chain Smith Museum (please check opening hours) and two viewing platforms. In Wickede, we recommend a short picnic stop—the riverside promenade has been extensively restored to its natural state and offers plenty of places to sit.
After a short stretch through a low-traffic industrial area, the route continues through green sections toward Arnsberg. Along the way, you might want to stop at a café in Neheim. Here, in addition to a view of the countryside, they also offer a special children’s menu. By the way, the Fuchs Route is also ideal for anyone who wants to combine their ride with a visit to the swimming pool. The Nass recreational pool is a great stop for a few hours of swimming fun. For those who don’t want to cycle any further, the Neheim-Hüsten train station is nearby; alternatively, you can continue by bike all the way to Arnsberg.
Arnsberg is also the destination of this stage and offers plenty of highlights to round off the day—from playgrounds and museums to a diverse range of culinary options for young and old alike. Please note that here in the Sauerland, the terrain can get quite hilly, especially as you move away from the Ruhrtal. The Arnsberg train station is the end point of today’s tour, which covers a distance of 37 kilometers.
Spanning just under 30 kilometers, this route combines many child-friendly stops and is well-suited for a family outing in the Ruhrgebiet along the RuhrtalRadweg. The starting point is the Wetter (Ruhr) train station, which has connections to Dortmund, for example. From there, you’ll head in the direction of the river. Once you’ve crossed the pedestrian and bike bridge, you’ll be greeted by plenty of greenery—meadows, fields, and cows. The bike path here is usually fairly quiet, and the kids can get back into the swing of cycling on the first stretch all the way to the Wengern neighborhood. Further along the route toward Witten, the map shows a steep section—this is a winding descent that ends in a tunnel. If this is too steep for you or the kids, you can take a signposted detour around it. Alternatively, you can push your bikes along this short stretch—safety first! Please be especially careful here, both for yourselves and the kids, depending on your cycling experience.
In Witten, it’s worth visiting the LWL Museum Zeche Nachtigall before continuing a bit further to a definite highlight of the tour: a small boat takes cyclists from one side of the Ruhr to the other. You can pay whatever you’d like for the crossing—in cash or digitally. From the ferry, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Hardenstein ruins.
Afterward, it’s just a few more pedal strokes to Kemnader See. Here, there are dedicated paths for cyclists, inline skaters, and pedestrians. There’s also a wide range of kid-friendly activities that invite you to take a break. These range from playgrounds, mini-golf, and a recreational pool to a ride on a sightseeing boat on the lake. There’s also a wide variety of dining options. A longer stop here halfway through the tour is definitely recommended!
Finally, the route continues along the Ruhr through Bochum to Hattingen. If you’re interested in more industrial history, you can plan a visit to the LWL Museum Henrichshütte. Hattingen’s historic Altstadt is also worth a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets. The tour’s destination is the train station in Hattingen, which is located directly on the RuhrtalRadweg. Alternatively, if you’ve taken a detour to the Altstadt, the Hattingen Mitte train station is also a good option. For the return trip to Wetter—assuming your car is parked there—you’ll need to transfer at least once, though.
Duck Route
Spanning just under 30 kilometers, this route combines many child-friendly stops and is well-suited for a family outing in the Ruhrgebiet along the RuhrtalRadweg. The starting point is the Wetter (Ruhr) train station, which has connections to Dortmund, for example. From there, you’ll head in the direction of the river. Once you’ve crossed the pedestrian and bike bridge, you’ll be greeted by plenty of greenery—meadows, fields, and cows. The bike path here is usually fairly quiet, and the kids can get back into the swing of cycling on the first stretch all the way to the Wengern neighborhood. Further along the route toward Witten, the map shows a steep section—this is a winding descent that ends in a tunnel. If this is too steep for you or the kids, you can take a signposted detour around it. Alternatively, you can push your bikes along this short stretch—safety comes first! Please be especially careful here, both for yourselves and the kids, depending on your cycling experience.
In Witten, it’s worth visiting the LWL Museum Zeche Nachtigall before continuing a bit further to a definite highlight of the tour: a small boat takes cyclists from one side of the Ruhr to the other. You can pay whatever you’d like for the crossing—in cash or digitally. From the ferry, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Hardenstein ruins.
Afterward, it’s just a few more pedal strokes to Kemnader See. Here, there are dedicated paths for cyclists, inline skaters, and pedestrians. There’s also a wide range of kid-friendly activities that invite you to take a break. These range from playgrounds, mini-golf, and a recreational pool to a ride on a sightseeing boat on the lake. There’s also a wide variety of dining options. A longer stop here halfway through the tour is definitely recommended!
Finally, the route continues along the Ruhr through Bochum to Hattingen. If you’re interested in more industrial history, you can plan a visit to the LWL Museum Henrichshütte. Hattingen’s historic Altstadt is also worth a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets. The tour’s destination is the train station in Hattingen, which is located directly on the RuhrtalRadweg. Alternatively, if you’ve taken a detour to the Altstadt, the Hattingen Mitte train station is also a good option. For the return trip to Wetter—assuming your car is parked there—you’ll need to transfer at least once, though.
Fish Trail
The Fish Route takes you on a roughly 30-kilometer journey through the Ruhrgebiet, from Essen to Mülheim, following the course of the Ruhr River. The starting point of your trip is the train station in Essen-Kupferdreh. In this Essen neighborhood—just as in the following neighborhoods of Werden and Kettwig—you can take long breaks to enjoy ice cream and hearty snacks. To kick off the tour, you have the option to enjoy an early highlight: a ride on the Weiße Flotte sightseeing boat, which takes you across Baldeneysee.
If you’d rather cycle this section right away, the route takes you along wide paths that run directly alongside the waters of Baldeneysee.
If the entire route still seems too long, you can also start the tour in Essen-Werden, which is easily accessible via the train station right on the RuhrtalRadweg.
As you gradually leave the lake behind and the kids need a break, the first playgrounds are right there waiting for you in the Werden neighborhood. Further along, the RuhrtalRadweg passes right by the historic Altstadt of Essen-Kettwig, which is worth a detour for young and old alike. Tip: There are also several ice cream shops here, which are sure to be a great incentive for the kids.
Once you arrive in Mülheim, you’ll reach the swimming spot on the Ruhr River in the summer. If you want to go for a swim, it’s worth packing your swimwear in your bike bag. Please note that the swimming spot is only suitable for swimmers.
The final stretch takes you to Mülheim an der Ruhr: To round out the tour, you can choose from large playgrounds as well as several kid-friendly attractions, such as Schloss Broich, Camera Obscura, or the Aquarius Wassermuseum. Mülheim also offers a wide variety of restaurants and cafés for a delicious way to end your day. The best way to start your return trip—for example, after a visit to Aquarius—is from the Mülheim Styrum train station.