trail

Urban.Trail – A surprising three-city trip

Slightly

13,7 km

3: 31 pm

112

99 m

142 m

45 m

Starting point Strünkede Castle, Herne

target point Herten Mitte

The Urban.Trail Herne-Recklinghausen-Herten is your journey to the heart of the Ruhr region – a surprising three-city trip amidst castles, slag heaps, and harbors. Your journey begins in grand style at Strünkede Castle in Herne, an imposing moated castle that blends history and urban culture. From here, the trail leads you to the Recklinghausen city harbor on the Rhine-Herne Canal – a place that feels like a mini-vacation by the water, with a maritime flair right in the heart of the Ruhr. Next, you'll visit the substation with the "Time Travel Electricity" museum, where listed industrial architecture meets fascinating technological history. Finally, you'll reach the Recklinghausen coal mine with its impressive colliery complex.

The highlight awaits you at the Hoheward spoil tip, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Ruhr region from a height of 152 meters. After descending, the trail leads you to the imposing Ewald coal mine in Herten, another industrial monument with an impressive double-trestle headframe. As a grand finale, you'll reach Herten Castle with its English landscape garden – a green oasis that showcases the diversity of the Ruhr region. The tour ends at Herten bus station.

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At the starting point (Strünkede Castle):
Parking lot directly at Strünkede Castle.

At the destination (Herten):
Parking is available, among other places, around Herten Castle Park.

Strünkede Castle in Herne is easily accessible by public transport:

From Herne train station take bus line 311 or SB20 to the Schloß Strünkede stop (approx. 10 min.)
From Bochum main station or train station, take the U35 to the Herne Schloß Strünkede stop.

Return journey from the destination point:
There are several bus connections from Herten bus station. One option is:

Take bus line SB49 (towards Recklinghausen Hbf) from the Herten Mitte stop to the Viehtor stop. There, change to bus line SB20 (towards Herne Bf) to the Schloß Strünkende stop.
Bus line SB20 to Recklinghausen main station (approx. 15 min.)
From there continue with RE2, RE3, RE14

Your tour begins in grand style at Strünkede Castle, one of the oldest moated castles in the Ruhr region. This imposing Renaissance castle, with its moats and historic park, is now home to the Emschertal Museum. Take some time to soak up the atmosphere before setting off.

From here, follow the signs north to Recklinghausen city harbor on the Rhine-Herne Canal. The city harbor is a great place to take a break with a view of the water – here, the Ruhr area almost feels like a mini-vacation.

Next stop: the Recklinghausen substation with its "Time Travel Electricity" museum. The listed industrial architecture from the 1920s is impressive even from the outside. If you have time, you should definitely visit the museum – here, technological history is presented in a vibrant and electrifying way.

The route then leads you to the Recklinghausen Colliery, Shaft 4, an authentic industrial monument with a winding tower. The perfect spot for a souvenir photo against an impressive backdrop – here the mining history of the Ruhr region is revealed in all its splendor.

The highlight of your tour awaits you at the Hoheward spoil tip, at 152 meters high one of the most striking landmarks in the Ruhr region. The climb is moderate but worthwhile: at the top, a breathtaking panoramic view across the entire Ruhr area awaits you. On a clear day, the view extends as far as Münsterland and the Rhine region.

After the descent, you'll reach the Ewald Colliery in Herten, one of the most impressive collieries in the Ruhr region, featuring a massive double-trestle headframe. The site is now part of the Industrial Heritage Trail and offers stunning photo opportunities.

From here, the trail leads you to Herten Castle, another moated castle surrounded by a beautiful English landscape garden. The well-maintained paths, old trees, and water features invite you to linger – a green and tranquil end to your urban exploration.

From here it's just a few minutes to Herten bus station, where your tour ends.

The Urban.Trail runs mostly on paved paths through parks, along the canal, and through urban neighborhoods. Be aware of traffic at intersections. The climb to the Hoheward spoil tip is moderate but requires sturdy footwear. Paths on the spoil tip can be slippery when wet. Some sections are not suitable for strollers. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Comfortable, weatherproof shoes (for paths on the slag heaps), a water bottle, and sunscreen in summer are recommended. A smartphone or camera is also recommended for panoramic views and industrial monuments.

Make a stop at Recklinghausen's city harbor – here you'll find a maritime atmosphere right in the heart of the Ruhr area! During the summer months, you can hop on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and rock the Rhine-Herne Canal from the water. Perfect for a break with a vacation vibe.

The path is not yet marked.

In the future: The Urban.Trail will be identified by a stylized abbreviation "UT" Marked in a bold dark green on a bright yellow background. Along the route, this sign serves as a guide – simply follow the "UT" to easily and intuitively follow the trail.

Map

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