Ruhrpott Cross 2.0 — Trail fun from Duisburg to Dortmund
Mountain Biking Collection by Martin Donat
9
Tours
33:58 h
258 mi
23,850 ft
The Ruhrpott Cross is a well-known two-day route across the Pott in western Germany. It starts in Duisburg, ends at Dortmund central station and takes in as many of the finest trails as it can along the way. That's already quite a lot, but during my more than 20 years in the Pott I thought: there's more!
The result is this Collection of eight independent Tours. However, each of the Tours takes you along a section of the original Ruhrpott Cross route. This opens up a lot of possibilities. If you want to spend a nice afternoon on your bike, just pick the Tour that suits you. If a whole day sweating and enjoying the trails is more what you’re after, then choose two or three Tours at a time. Or do you feel like a few days on the bike? Voilá: simply combine several or all of the stages, just as it suits you. You can start in Duisburg, Essen or Witten and finish in Hattingen, Kettwig or Dortmund. You’re the boss and can decide for yourself.
If you want to take on the classic route, I've added the original Ruhrpott Cross at the end of the Collection.
Oh yes, one more thing! I moved to the edge of the Sauerland in 2021 and it's not always possible to know about the condition of the individual Tours. If a tree is lying across somewhere or a path is not, or no longer, passable, don't be angry with me. Instead, see it as part of the adventure. Have fun!
On The Map
Do it yourself
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: January 30, 2023
Tours & Highlights
- Expert03:2629.5 mi8.6 mph1,550 ft1,550 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
This tour is perfect proof that the days of heavy industry and coal dust in the pot are long gone. What has remained are interesting buildings that bear witness to industrial culture and beautiful cities (and towns) that are more worth a visit today than ever before.
With a mountain bike you can enjoy…
by Martin Donat
- Expert03:4126.0 mi7.1 mph2,700 ft2,700 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
This tour starts in one of the most beautiful cities that the Ruhr area has to offer: in Essen Kettwig. And there it starts directly with one of the most beautiful trails that the Ruhr area has to offer. After a steep climb, you'll get in the mood for a bike with a splash of adrenaline when you take…
by Martin Donat
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- Expert02:2017.4 mi7.4 mph1,850 ft1,875 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Today the Ruhr area shows its hilly side. This short tour is up and down - that makes it particularly varied and, despite the manageable distance, collects a good amount of altitude. It starts in a small parking lot on the edge of Lake Baldeney. Between Velbert and Nierenhof you follow the original route…
by Martin Donat
- Expert01:2810.0 mi6.8 mph1,300 ft1,300 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
This tour, which connects Velbert-Nierenhof with Hattingen, measures almost 15 kilometers. Despite the short distance, you will get your money's worth, because it goes through the Elfringhauser Switzerland down into the Wodantal - known for its beautiful mountain bike trails.
It starts with a moderate…
by Martin Donat
- Intermediate02:1018.8 mi8.6 mph1,475 ft1,500 ftIntermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
In Hattingen, this tour starts on the "Glückauftrasse", an old railway line that has found a great new use today as an idyllically situated cycle path and on which there is always something to learn about mining in days gone by.
In Sprockhövel you can strengthen yourself again in the old train station…
by Martin Donat
- Expert02:5822.5 mi7.6 mph2,100 ft2,100 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Today you go on a mining discovery tour. That's probably part of it on a Ruhrpott Cross. And the Muttental is made for it, because the first coal of the pot was probably mined here. You will pass numerous relics from this time today. If you are interested in more detail, stop here and there - various…
by Martin Donat
- Expert03:3525.6 mi7.1 mph2,900 ft2,900 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
You will definitely not get bored on this tour. Hohenstein, Kohlensiepen, Hartenberg - all names that the locals are familiar with for really nice enduro tours. The highlight of the route is the section from Harkortberg near Wetter to Hohensyburg near Dortmund, which you ride along a ridge that always…
by Martin Donat
- Expert03:0825.3 mi8.0 mph1,925 ft1,925 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
The Ruhrpott Cross ends at Dortmund Central Station and that's exactly where this last stage of my version takes you. So if you want to complete the Ruhrpott Cross completely and discover the very interesting route through the city, just follow this route.
If you don't feel like driving through the city…
by Martin Donat
- Expert11:1083.4 mi7.5 mph8,050 ft7,900 ftExpert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
The Ruhrpott Cross is intended as a two-day tour and takes you from Duisburg to Dortmund. And that over as many trails as possible. Get to know the pot from its most beautiful side and let yourself be surprised by how beautifully green it is here.
This is the overall course of the Ruhrpott Cross - if…
by Martin Donat
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Collection Stats
- Tours9
- Distance258 mi
- Duration33:58 h
- Elevation23,850 ft
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