Urban GravelRide: Between StreetArt & LostPlaces

From the mine site, the route first passes through the Emscherbruch (Emscher Quarry) and through a beautiful forest. After crossing the Emscher, the route continues over the Grimberger Sichel (Grimberg Sickle) – an extraordinary bridge – over the Rhine-Herne Canal and past the ZOOM Erlebniswelt (ZOOM Adventure World). Gravel bikers then reach the large scaffolding of the former Consol colliery via a lesser-known railway line. Numerous works of art can be found in the surrounding park, but industrial heritage can also be experienced here in depth.
After a bit of city traffic, the next destination is the Solar Bunker, a strange relic of industrialization. With its large solar array on the roof, it perfectly represents the blend of past industrial use, modern and ecological change, and a spectacular photo spot so typical of the Ruhr region. Just a few pedal strokes away, the Almaring, a former race track, slumbers in a fascinating deep sleep, revealing itself as an exciting lost place in the heart of nature.
A quick stop at the iconic Erzbahnbude (Ore Railway Bude), a popular cycling hangout, is a must. Then it's a quick ride along the paved Erzbahn line to the next stop – the Pluto spoil heap. This spoil heap is certainly not one of the most famous vantage points in the Ruhr area, although it offers a truly beautiful view of several colliery scaffolds. Most of the time, you're completely alone at the top, allowing you to absorb the tranquility.
On the way back, the route passes a garage yard with fascinating mining motifs on the garage doors. A short stretch of riverside path leads back across the Emscher River and past the Hoppenbruch spoil tip. If you still have too much energy, you can quickly pedal up to the wind turbine. Otherwise, you can take a leisurely stroll through the newly created Active Linear Park to the Recklinghausen colliery.
The final stage leads over the popular Dragon Bridge to the Hoheward slag heap. Here, too, sporty gravel bikers can, of course, still take on the mountain classification up to the two slag heap plateaus with the horizon observatory and sundial. A more relaxed route can be found along the balcony promenade, offering fantastic views of the central Ruhr area and, at the end, the Ewald mine.