Even experienced gravel bikers will occasionally have to push their bikes on this tour through the Ruhr region, which is also popular with mountain bikers. But they’ll get plenty of gravel in return. And the climbs up to the slag heaps are sometimes more challenging than you might expect. A good level of fitness and confident riding skills are therefore essential for the roughly 55-kilometer route along the Emscher River and the Rhine-Herne Canal. After a relaxed warm-up on the Balkonpromenade, your muscles will be put to the test for the first time at the Hoppenbruch slag heap. And this won’t be the last challenge before you reach the former Ewald coal mine in Herten again. It serves as the start and finish point of the tour and provides the backdrop for Germany’s largest gravel festival every year.
- 56 km
- 3:56 Hours
- difficult
This challenging gravel ride offers a total of 380 meters of elevation gain over 55 kilometers, making it a real athletic challenge. Along the way, there are also many great views of the region.
- Difficultydifficult
- Length56 km
- Duration3:56 Hours
- Uphill452 m
- Downhill454 m
- Suitable for bicycles
- Circular route
Paul Masukowitz, On a sunny day, a cyclist rides past the Nordstern coal mine in Gelsenkirchen. Paul Masukowitz, A person is sitting relaxed in front of a refreshment stand in the Ruhr region, next to a bicycle. Paul Masukowitz, A person wearing a bicycle helmet stands on a platform in Nordsternpark and looks out over the Ruhr region Paul Masukowitz, A woman is riding a gravel bike on a gravel path in the Ruhr region. The Rungenberg slag heap can be seen in the background. Ruhr Tourismus GmbH, The Rungenberg slag heap in Gelsenkirchen, featuring the installation "Nachtzeichen" Ruhr Tourismus GmbH, Cyclist next to a steel slab on the Schurenbachhalde in Gelsenkirchen
