Canal passage - experience waterways

The Ruhr area is criss-crossed by canals and large rivers, which played a decisive role in the industrialization of the Ruhr area. Large
Cargo ships transported coal, ore and other goods via developed canals between the Rhine and the industrial plants. Even today, these waterways play a major role in the logistics industry. But the canals also play an important role in cycle tourism. The “Kanalpassage” region route presents two of these shipping canals between Lünen and Haltern am See, covering a length of around 44 kilometers.
The starting location
The route tour begins at the train station in Lünen, which is easily accessible via regional train connections. There is also a bike station at the station. If you are arriving by car, you should head for a car park in the Lünen area.
start of the tour
From the train station in Lünen, the tour first leads through Lünen. On the banks of the Lippe, the first glimpse falls on an important, historic waterway. The Lippe was already an important transport route in Roman times. Today, the nature reserves along the Lippe provide good insights into the flora and fauna of the floodplain landscape along the longest river in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Datteln-Hamm Canal
The first shipping canal is quickly reached. The Datteln-Hamm canal is an important transport route between the canal junction in Datteln and the city in the east of the Ruhr area. You can cycle for several kilometers directly along the water.
A short visit to Münsterland
The tour follows the Römer-Lippe route, which leads north to Bork. Wide fields and the typical architecture reveal that the Ruhr area merges seamlessly into the Münsterland. Wide field landscapes and many farms and riding stables represent pure rural idyll.
Die Alte Fahrt
The canal bridge of the Dortmund-Ems canal over the lower Lippe is particularly impressive. It is a strange sight when huge container ships sail over a bridge at a lofty height. A little later, the route runs along the Alte Fahrt, a disused, old canal arm that is now a small natural paradise. It leads directly to the large canal junction in Datteln.
The Datteln Sea and the Wesel-Datteln Canal
At the Datteln Lake, the canals form a small lake, which is how wide the water landscape is. From here, the cycle route follows the Wesel-Datteln canal towards the west. The tour passes several locks and bridges, but stays true to the canal bank. At the Flaesheim marina, there is a former quarry pit right on the canal, which has developed into a small leisure paradise.
The Lippe ferry Maifisch and the Halterner Lakes
 During the summer months, cyclists become captains themselves. Cyclists take the small Maifisch ferry across to the northern bank of the Lippe. This requires muscle strength in the arms in particular.
A detour on foot to the Westruper Heide nature reserve is worthwhile.
A little later the tour leads past the Halterner reservoir.
destination and journey home
The beautiful old town of Haltern am See marks the end of the cycle tour. Cyclists can recharge their batteries in the cafés and restaurants. If you still have enough time, you should visit the Roman Museum in Haltern am See.
The return journey takes the train from the station in Haltern am See.