Industrial nature in NRW

New life on old disused sites

Plants and animals have reconquered former colliery sites and other disused industrial areas in the Ruhr region. Rare species, colourful flowers and strange growth habits are waiting to be discovered - from the exotic to the long-established.

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Panorama-Ausblick von Zeche Consolidation in Gelsenkirchen im Ruhrgebiet., © Ralph Sondermann, Tourismus NRW e.V.

Up and down in the Ruhr area

Are the furnaces blocking your view of the Ruhr area? No problem, thanks to the many slag heaps and viewing platforms. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy broad views onto the exciting industrial landscape.

Industrial Forests of the Ruhr

Trees and flowers are springing up at old coal mines: In the Ruhr Area, nature is reclaiming former industrial sites.

Das Stahlwerk in Duisburg präsentiert sich heute in grünem und buntem Gewand, © Thomas Berns

North Duisburg Landscape Park

North Duisburg Landscape Park is one of the Ruhr Area’s most iconic industrial heritage monuments, now transformed into a leisure park for the whole family.

Haus Ripshorst im Emscher Landschaftsparkt, © RVR Stefan Schejok Presse

Haus Ripshorst in Oberhausen

Discover the nature of the Ruhr Area! Leaving the historic manor house of Haus Ripshorst you will enter the Emscher Landscape Park and tread the “From the primeval forest to the cultural forest” path.

GeoPark Ruhrgebiet

Discover the world’s first geopark in a conurbation and learn how rocks and soil influence our lives in GeoPark Ruhrgebiet.

Luftaufnahme vom Tetraeder auf einer Halde in Bottrop., © Dominik Ketz, Tourismus NRW e.V.

Slag heap-hill-hopping

Twelve themed routes connect natural elevations with artificial slag heaps. As well as great views, they also offer narration stations, with information on subjects such as mining and structural change, cities and people, as well as industrial nature.