Ruhrtalbahn Rail Trail

Driving through the Ruhr area is rarely boring. This only 5.5 km long section of the Ruhrtal cycle path is a perfect example of this. It follows the course of the former Ruhr Valley Railway and leads you quasi car-free from Witten-Herbede to Wetter-Wengern.

You pass under impressive railway bridges, pass idyllic sections of the Ruhraue and even pass a real piece of industrial culture when you pass by the Nachtigall colliery and the museum railway. A special highlight awaits you at the beginning or end in Witten Herbede: Here ends the bike path directly in "the" Ruhr - a small, electrically operated ferry brings you over!

The route mostly runs on a bike path with a water-bound ceiling and free of traffic. Only a short section near the Nachtigall colliery is paved. This part of the bike is excellent, so you have priority over motorized traffic here.

In 1874, the Middle Ruhr Valley Railway was completed from (Bochum-)Dahlhausen via Hattingen, Herbede and Wengern Ost to (Hagen-)Vorhalle. In 1970, regular passenger traffic between Hattingen and Hagen was discontinued. Today, on selected days from April to October (2022 timetable), museum trains with steam locomotives, diesel locomotives or rail buses run. The route is picturesque. And if you don't ride along, watching is also fun! More info:
sites.google.com/view/eisenbahn-en-de/historische-bahnen/mittlere-ruhrtal-bahn
eisenbahnmuseum-bochum.de/ruhrtalbahn

Great track! Really nice and great to drive. In addition, nice views of the Ruhr