NRW knows no hurdles

The jungle of tomorrow. That sounds like rough terrain and lots of tripping hazards - wrong. On the barrier-free paths in the Wilder Kermeter nature experience area in the centre of the Eifel National Park, everyone can make good progress and enjoy the view of the forests and reservoirs from rocky outcrops such as the Hirschley. After the short hike, the "Wildnis(t)räume" exhibition in the National Park Centre at Vogelsang International Place (IP) offers a hands-on experience of nature with all the senses. A barrier-free guidance system leads visitors through a fascinating world of forest and water, there are tactile animal models, olfactory and audio stations as well as sensory loungers to rest on. Daredevils can also take a look at the Bergisches Land Nature Park from above. The highlights of the Panarbora nature adventure park in Waldbröl are the treetop path and the wooden observation tower, which rises 34 metres above the forest and can even be climbed with a wheelchair or pushchair (and a bit of stamina). Less strenuous, on the other hand, is a cycle tour or a walk through the rather flat Münsterland. Here, the "NaturTour Vreden für Alle" (Vreden Nature Tour for All), which is around 30 kilometres long, connects more than 20 natural and cultural-historical sights. The paths are particularly wide so that bikes with trailers, parallel tandems and tricycles can also pass each other comfortably. Of course, it is up to you to decide which section of the route and how many kilometres you want to cycle. However, you should definitely not miss out on a stop at the Zwillbrocker Venn. An almost six-kilometre circular route leads through the nature reserve, where the world's northernmost flamingo colony breeds every summer.

The air is stuffy. It smells of sweat and the noise is deafening. The conditions under which people used to work in the factories and collieries in NRW were anything but pleasant. The numerous industrial museums offer an exciting insight into this history, which are largely accessible without steps and usually also offer guided tours in sign language and for people with visual impairments. One of the most beautiful industrial monuments in the country is Zeche Zollern in Dortmund, which is also known as the "Castle of Labour" due to its castle-like complex and impressive Art Nouveau portal. Another anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage is the textile factory in Bocholt, where more than 20,000 spindles once turned and set the pace for the workers. Today, countless looms clatter simultaneously during daily demonstrations in the weaving mill. The Hendrichs drop forge in Solingen is also noisy when the hammer, weighing several tonnes, falls and forms a pair of scissors from the glowing steel before the eyes of the visitors. The most famous industrial museum in NRW, however, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein in Essen. Formerly the largest coal mine in the world, it is now the impressive backdrop to a centre for art, culture and the creative industries and is best explored on a guided tour. There is also the option of travelling the "Path of Coal" in comfort by e-bus. Cast-iron models of the site with Braille and tactile symbols can be found in the courtyard of honour, at the coal washing forum and in front of the coking plant's mixing plant.

A historic cog railway takes visitors comfortably up to the Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge near Königswinter, where they are greeted halfway up by two golden stags at Drachenburg Castle. From the terrace, which is accessible without steps, the view extends far over the romantic Rhine Valley, which poets and painters once raved about. Visitors can delve even further back into the history of the region at the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann. Multimedia elements and audio experiences guide visitors through four million years of human history in the barrier-free exhibition. Visitors can find the shortest route "through antiquity" with the help of an app that guides them through the Archaeological Park in Xanten and the Roman Museum there. Xanten is also home to one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical museums. In the Stiftsmuseum Xanten, a map helps visitors to take a barrier-free tour through the ten rooms dedicated to the art and cultural history of the Lower Rhine. The museum courtyard right next to the cathedral can also be reached without stairs or steps.

One of the most spectacular museum buildings in the world is located in the Teutoburg Forest. It seems as if the curved exterior façade of the Marta Herford Museum is dancing. But don't worry. Inside the museum for contemporary art, architecture and design, no one is out of step. All rooms are steplessly accessible and there is a wide range of barrier-free offers for both adults and children. The Max Ernst Museum in Brühl is similarly organised, where people with and without disabilities can approach the work of the painter and sculptor with "seeing hands". In addition, audio guides with atmospheric noises and original sounds ensure a sensory experience when touring the exhibition. Visitors to the German Football Museum in Dortmund are greeted by an original commentary that everyone will recognise. Even on the escalator, which takes you right into the centre of the action, you can hear Herbert Zimmermann shouting: "Rahn should shoot, Rahn shoots ...". And during guided tours for people with visual impairments, valuable exhibits such as a replica of the World Cup trophy are sometimes taken out of the display case. Visitors can also reach the top of the Dortmunder U without having to climb stairs. The former Dortmunder Union Brewery building, whose striking U on the roof dominates the city skyline, is now home to an art and creative centre.

Whether high above the treetops in a nature adventure park or in the midst of industrial romance: DeinNRW is there for everyone! The Mannheim-based blogger Kim Lumelius went on wheelchair-accessible tours through North Rhine-Westphalia for us and put exciting barrier-free excursion destinations through their paces.

In the Eifel National Park, for example, she took a trip along the Wilden Weg, in Dortmund she went to the Zollern Colliery and the German Football Museum, and in Waldbröl she was drawn to the top in the Panabora Nature Adventure Park. A second tour took her to the Lower Rhine, where she went on a journey through time in the archaeological park in Xanten and to the Bergisches Land, or rather: high above the region. She ascended to lofty heights in a barrier-free hot air balloon. Kim has published all her adventures and experiences on her blog Wheelie Wanderlust.