The RUHR.TOPCARD

The RuhrtalRadweg isn’t just scenic—it also has plenty to offer culturally. With the RUHR.TOPCARD, you can combine the best of both worlds. Whether it’s free admission to various museums or relaxing boat tours on the numerous lakes along the RuhrtalRadweg — variety and enjoyment are guaranteed with this combination. Here are a few examples of how you can enhance your RuhrtalRadweg tour with many leisure activities by purchasing the RUHR.TOPCARD.

Day 1: Winterberg – Bestwig (approx. 30 km)
The day gets off to a leisurely start with a ride from the source of the Ruhr downstream through Olsberg to Bestwig. For a more action-packed start to the tour, you can take a detour to theFort Fun amusement park. Here, you’ll not only find plenty of fun, but also an exclusive 50% discount on the regular admission price. The park offers a wide variety of attractions—whether you’re looking for the thrill of roller coasters or prefer to take it easy, there’s something for everyone.

Day 2: Bestwig – Arnsberg (approx. 33 km)
The next day, the tour continues toward Meschede. Before you start your tour on the RuhrtalRadweg, we recommend a detour tothe Ramsbeck Visitor Mine in the Sauerland(free admission), where you can go up to 300 m underground. From there, you’ll begin your bike tour and cycle toward Arnsberg. Once you arrive, you have a choice: You can either play a relaxing round of mini-golf at the Schwarzlicht Semester Arnsberg (50% discount) or visit the Sauerland Museum in Arnsberg (free admission) to learn more about the region’s history. Afterward, the picturesque Altstadt invites you to take a leisurely stroll, since you’ve already reached your destination for the day.

Day 3: Arnsberg – Hagen (approx. 60 km)
The third and longest stage of the day takes you from the Sauerland to the Ruhr metropolitan area. The route begins in Arnsberg’s Altstadt, which is always worth a visit. After just a few kilometers, theVoßwinkel Wildlife Forest (free admission) awaits you, where you can learn a lot about the region’s wildlife and forest ecosystems. After this little zoological lesson, the route takes you through Wickede and Fröndenberg into the Ruhrgebiet all the way to Hagen. There, we recommend a visit to the Hagen Open-Air Museum (free admission), Germany’s oldest museum of technological history. It offers an exciting and interactive way to wrap up your day.

Day 4: Hagen – Bochum, Hattingen, or Essen (approx. 45 km)
Your day begins in Hagen, and you’ll head straight toward Bochum by bike. Just a few kilometers away, in Bochum-Dahlhausen, the Railroad Museum (free admission) awaits you before you reach today’s destination, Essen.
Alternatively, you can treat yourself to some peace and quiet on aboat ride(free admission) on Kemnader See and enjoy the panoramic views before continuing on to Hattingen. There, you can experience the city’s beauty for yourself, visit the Henrichshütte (free admission), and take a one-hour guided tour through the historic Altstadt.

As a third option, head to downtown Bochum. At the German Mining Museum (free admission), there’s plenty to discover besides the exhibition mine with its original machinery. The miners are waiting for you! Not far from there is the Zeiss Planetarium Bochum ( free admission), where you can relax under the starry sky before starting your final day.

Day 5: Bochum, Hattingen, or Essen – Duisburg (approx. 40 km)
Whether you start in Bochum,Hattingen, or Essen, you’ll pass through the green southern part of Essen before reaching Mülheim an der Ruhr. Here, theHaus Ruhrnatur, theCamera Obscura, and theAquarius Wassermuseum(all three with free admission) are worth a visit. For the adventurers among you, a rowing tour through the Ruhrtal on the authentic Viking ship “MüWi” is just the thing (50% discount). On the rest of the way to Duisburg, Oberhausen—with theGasometer (free admission) andSEA LIFE(50% discount)—is also a welcome detour before the tour ends in Duisburg. If you haven’t had a chance to shop yet, you’ll have the opportunity to do so at Centro and pick up a few souvenirs from the Ruhr region before you leave. The rest of the route takes you to Duisburg, where you can take a harbor tour with the Weiße Flotte (free admission) in the Port of Duisburg, or take a stroll through the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park (free admission) and soak up some sun before heading home. If you’d like to say “hello” to our animal friends, the Duisburg Zoo ( free admission) warmly welcomes you and takes you on a journey into the fascinating world of animals.

To top it all off, how about a refreshing beer? Then why not take a tour of one of Germany’s most famous breweries, the König Brewery, and see firsthand how your beer is brewed (free admission; note: online booking required).

This is where your RuhrtalRadweg tour ends after five eventful days. We hope you had a great time cycling and were able to enjoy the wide range of benefits offered by the RUHR.TOPCARD to the fullest. We wish you a safe and pleasant trip home!

General Information:

- You can find accommodations that suit your needs, as well as more detailed information about the RuhrtalRadweg, in our printed tour guide with a directory of hosts or online.

- All listed attractions and activities are free once per RUHR.TOPCARD holder with the RUHR.TOPCARD, unless otherwise noted.

- Please check opening hours and any registration requirements before starting your tour. Not all attractions or activities are open daily or can be visited without prior registration.

- Of course, in addition to the options listed above, there are numerous other attractions, swimming pools, zoos, etc., which you can visit once for free or with a 50% discount using the RUHR.TOPCARD. For more information, visit www.ruhrtopcard.de or call the hotline: 01806-1816180 (€0.20 per call from all German networks).