Ennepe Trail – Stage 3 “From the Ennepe Dam to the Kluterthöhle Cave”

Explore the Ennepe Trail and discover the natural beauty of the southern Ruhr region! Developed by Thomas Matt, chairman of the Ennepetal Hiking Club, this tour offers an unforgettable experience across six stages. Starting in Halver, your hike along the Ennepe River takes you through picturesque landscapes via Breckerfeld, Ennepetal, and Gevelsberg to Hagen. Be captivated by the diverse natural scenery as you hike through dense forests and idyllic river valleys. The Ennepe Trail offers not only a physical challenge but also the opportunity to experience the region's rich culture and history. Your destination is the city of Hagen, where you can reflect on your journey after your hike. Pack your hiking boots and embark on an unforgettable adventure!

Your experience in six stages

STAGE 1: THE UPPER REACH WITH THE WILD ENNEPE From Halver-Karlshöhe to Halver-Ennepe (approx. 8,5 km)
Our tour begins in Halver-Karlshöhe, takes us past the sources of the Ennepe and through the unique nature reserve of the “Wild Ennepe”.
Start: Halver-Karlshöhe
Halver-Karlshöhe stop
Parking at the Karlshöhe hiking car park, Am Sportplatz, 58553 Halver

STAGE 2: THE UPPER REACH WITH THE ENNEPETAL DAM From Halver-Ennepe to the Ennepetal Dam (approx. 10,5 km)
The Ennepe River meanders leisurely through lush meadows and flat valleys. In picturesque Breckerfeld-Osenberg, the southernmost point of the EN district, we reach an extension of the Ennepetal Dam.
Start: Halver-Ennepe
Stop “Schulte, Halver-Ennepe”, bus line 134
Limited parking at the “Schulte, Halver-Ennepe” stop on the B229

STAGE 3: THROUGH THE ENNEPE VALLEY NATURE RESERVE From the Ennepetalsperre to the Kluterthöhle (approx. 14 km)
To the left of the dam, we climb a hill. With impressive views and a view over the dam, our destination is the imposing dam wall. After that, the valley narrows, and the Ennepe River becomes wilder and faster. We spot the first signs of former and existing businesses (such as the Krenzer Hammer) that used hydropower. We repeatedly see weirs and balancing ponds. We reach Bilsteiner Berg, where ore mining has been taking place for almost 300 years, and Hohenstein with its magnificent view. From Gut Ahlhausen, the valley widens again, and buildings and industrial plants increasingly line the riverbank. Passing the Ennepetal Industrial Museum, we reach the Kluterthöhle National Natural Monument on Klutertberg.
Start: Ennepe Dam
No public transport connection
No parking in the immediate vicinity

Stage 4: AROUND AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN From the Kluterthöhle to the Ennepebogen (approx. 4,7 km)
Following the flow of the Ennepe River, we hike past the Kruiner Tunnel into Gevelsberg's city limits. Following the historic industrial trail, we reach the Ennepebogen.
Start: Klutert Cave
Stop Ennepetal Bus Station or Ennepetal Klutert (Ennepetal Regional Train Station available)
Parking under or at Haus Ennepetal, Gasstraße 10

STAGE 5: INDUSTRY AND NATURE from Ennepebogen to Hagen-Haspe (approx. 7,5 km)
Past the Ennepebogen, we continue through wide meadows to the former Rocholz moated castle and its ponds. Shortly after the mausoleum in Gevelsberg-Knapp, we enter Hagen's city limits. Not far away, to our right, are the former Zwieback Brand production halls.
Start: Gevelsberg, Ennepe Bridge on Jahnstraße
Gevelsberg S stop
Numerous parking spaces in the immediate vicinity

STAGE 6: THE LAST KILOMETERS From Hagen-Haspe to the estuary (approx. 3,5 km)
Our final leg begins in Hagen Haspe. Past the Hasper Hammer, up and through the beautiful allotment gardens of the Sonnenberg eV association with magnificent views of Hagen and the Drei-Türme-Weg, within sight of the Cuno settlement and over Phillipshöhe, we reach our destination: the confluence of the Ennepe and Volme rivers.
Start: Hagen-Heubing S-Bahn station
Hagen-Heubing stop
Parking in the car park on Tillmannsstraße

You can obtain the hiking guide for the tour with numerous tips on the way in the local bookstore and at the Ennepetal tourist information office at the ticket office of the Kluterthöhle cave.