Adventure in the Ruhrgebiet

4 Days Amid Castles, Mining, Steel, and Iron

Along the Ruhr River—often idyllic, rural, and close to nature—embark on a discovery tour by bike through the Ruhr region. What makes this tour so extraordinary are the still-visible traces of coal and steel and the imposing industrial monuments, which contrast with the many idyllic and rural stretches and nature reserves.

Day 1: Schwerte
Travel to Schwerte on your own and spend the night. Spend your arrival day in Schwerte’s beautiful Altstadt and explore sights such as the old town hall with the Ruhrtal Museum.

Day 2: Schwerte – Witten (approx. 30 km)
From Schwerte, you’ll cycle along Lake Hengstey and Lake Harkort to Witten. A nice alternative: On Lake Harkort in Herdecke, a passenger ferry runs to Wetter, and you can even bring your bike on board.

Day 3: Witten – Essen (approx. 60 km)
The next day begins with a highlight of the Ruhr region: At the Nachtigall Coal Mine, you’ll explore the roots of Ruhr mining and even venture into a real coal seam. In Hattingen, not only is the historic Altstadt worth seeing, but so is the former Henrichshütte.

Day 4: Essen – Duisburg (approx. 30 km)
Today is packed with attractions. Villa Hügel, built by industrial pioneer Alfred Krupp, and Baldeneysee, where you’ll still find many remnants of the early days of Ruhr mining. In Werden, St. Ludgerus Abbey and the beautiful Altstadt of this over 1,200-year-old settlement are sure to impress. Between Kettwig and Duisburg, the RuhrtalRadweg winds through lush natural scenery, as only a small portion of the Ruhr riverbank is built up. A historic water tower housing a water museum, along with Schloss Broich and Schloss Styrum, round out the day.

Day 5: Departure

Conclusion: What makes this tour so extraordinary are the still-visible traces of coal and steel and the imposing industrial monuments, which contrast with the many idyllic and rural sections and nature reserves.

Prices for 2026:
€570 per person in a double room
€740 per person in a single room

Services included in the price:

• 4 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in comfortable mid-range hotels with shower/toilet
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel as far as Duisburg (1 piece of luggage per person)
• One tour package per room, including a roadbook, cycling map, and tips for trip preparation
• Travel insurance certificate
• Digital route guidance via smartphone app

Optional extras:

• Table reservations at the respective hotels
• Train ride from Duisburg to Fröndenberg via local transit (SchönerTagTicket NRW), duration approx. 3–3.5 hours, 1–4 transfers Cost: €56.60 flat rate for up to 5 people per ticket, €5.90 per bike. Train schedules will be sent along with the travel documents (prices as of December 2025)
• Bus transfer from Duisburg to Fröndenberg, including luggage and your own bikes: €139.00 per person
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, with bicycle coverage if applicable

Group Size & Dates
Unaccompanied: 2 or more people; 15 people maximum recommended
Accompanied: upon request; 10 to 15 people recommended
Unaccompanied: flexible dates
Accompanied: flexible dates

Information & Booking

Tour de Ruhr GmbH
Emscherstraße 71
47137 Duisburg
Phone: 0203 / 429 19 19; Fax: 0203 / 429 19 45
info@tour-de-ruhr.de
www.tour-de-ruhr.de
www.facebook.com/TourdeRuhr