Route der Industriekultur per Rad turns the Ruhr region’s industrial past into a cycling journey. The 300-kilometre circuit connects former mines, steelworks and workers’ settlements with paths along old railway lines and waterways. Regionalverband Ruhr’s Route Industriekultur presents the loop as a way to explore both major landmarks and smaller traces of the region’s history.
A circuit through the Ruhr
The loop stretches from the Rhine towards Hamm, between the Ruhr valley to the south and the Emscher valley to the north. Its course brings together places that tell the story of an industrial region, while making room for the waterways and green corridors that now run through it.
Much of the riding follows former railway alignments and waterside routes, often away from road traffic. The German cycling association ADFC also describes sections on forest paths and quieter roads, and advises riders to allow for narrow points and barriers along the way.
Industrial landmarks and smaller discoveries
The circuit’s major stops include the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site in Essen, Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord and the Gasometer in Oberhausen. The historic Henrichenburg ship lift in Waltrop adds another perspective on the transport systems that served the region.
Between these well-known sites, the route passes former industrial installations, workers’ settlements and spoil heaps. At Zeche Nachtigall, a visitor tunnel offers an opportunity to explore the mining story more closely. The contrasts between these landmarks and the green routes connecting them are a defining part of the trip.
Choosing where to begin
There is no compulsory start or finish on the circuit. The route’s official guide suggests the main railway stations at Mülheim an der Ruhr and Hamm as useful entry points at opposite ends of the region. Ruhr Tourismus also suggests Zollverein in Essen for a start close to the Portal der Industriekultur information centre and the Ruhr Museum.
A full circuit is only one way to organise a visit. The City of Hamm notes that riders can also divide the tour into western and eastern loops using Mülheim and Hamm as reference points. Pick the places you want to visit and leave time for stops as well as riding.
Finding your way
The circuit uses the region’s numbered cycle junction network. The official Route Industriekultur cycle map shows the premium circuit alongside the junction system and identifies heritage sites, viewpoints and settlements, making it useful when selecting a section.
Before setting out, consult the route information for current diversions and closures. The ADFC’s route page links to updates and notes that barriers and narrow sections are present, a consideration when choosing equipment or planning with a trailer.