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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Münster District

Dortmund-Ems Canal

North Rhine-Westphalia

Münster District

Coesfeld

Lüdinghausen

Dortmund-Ems Canal

Highlight • River

Dortmund-Ems Canal

Recommended by 71 mountain bikers out of 75

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Hohe Mark - Westmünsterland

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Location: Lüdinghausen, Coesfeld, Münster District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Best Mountain Biking Routes to Dortmund-Ems Canal

4.4

(5)

riders

1. Schloss Nordkirchen – Picnic Area by the Stever loop from Lüdinghausen

35.8km

01:55

90m

Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

5.0

(3)

riders

2. Stever Three-Arch Bridge – Poitou Donkeys in Olfen loop from Lüdinghausen

36.0km

02:05

140m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.0

(3)

riders

3. Old Canal Lock Datteln–Olfen – Dattelner Meer loop from Lüdinghausen

42.9km

02:26

110m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Königsborner

October 13, 2022

General information about the Dortmund-Ems Canal (DEK) and DEK Cycle Path
The DEK runs between the Dortmund city harbor and Papenburg through the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, past the "Henrichenburg" ship lift and the larger cities of Münster, Rheine, Lingen and Meppen. It was opened in 1899 and is about 225 kilometers long. The difference in altitude is about 70 meters, there are three river crossings - Lippe, Stever and Ems. The canal can be crossed via numerous bridges. There are always rest areas and small city ports along the canal. The Dortmund-Ems-Kanal-Radweg mostly runs directly along the canal or later along the Ems and is approx. 350 kilometers long. It connects the Ruhr area with the North Sea coast (Emden) and was opened in 1999. Along the canal, it has almost no gradients, with the exception of a few interruptions, e.g. due to power plants. The path is mostly gravel and partly tarred so that it can also be used well in rainy weather. Due to the numerous stop and overnight options, it is very well suited for both a day trip and a multi-day tour.

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Schwerte-Radler

February 10, 2024

The Dortmund-Ems Canal is an important artificial waterway in Germany that is primarily used for freight shipping. It connects the port of Dortmund with the North Sea near Emden. The canal is about 269 kilometers long and was built at the end of the 19th century to connect the industrial regions of the Ruhr area with the seaport in Emden. The aim was to create a direct connection for the transport of coal, steel and other industrial goods to the North Sea and from there to international markets.

The canal begins in the east of Dortmund and runs through various cities and countryside in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, including Münster, Greven, Rheine and Meppen, before reaching the Ems near Papenburg and finally flowing into the North Sea. It overcomes various differences in height through a series of locks.

In addition to its economic importance, the Dortmund-Ems Canal is also a popular place for leisure activities such as cycling, hiking and water sports. There are numerous cycling and hiking trails along the canal, offering beautiful views of the waterway and the surrounding countryside.

In recent years, various measures have been taken to modernize and expand the canal in order to make the waterway passable for larger ships and increase its capacity. These improvements are intended to further strengthen the Dortmund-Ems Canal as an important transport route for inland shipping in Germany.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 100 m

Weather

Tuesday 9 December

14°C

9°C

17 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Location: Lüdinghausen, Coesfeld, Münster District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Path Along the Funne Stream

Dortmund-Ems Canal

1. Schloss Nordkirchen – Picnic Area by the Stever loop from Lüdinghausen

2. Stever Three-Arch Bridge – Poitou Donkeys in Olfen loop from Lüdinghausen

3. Old Canal Lock Datteln–Olfen – Dattelner Meer loop from Lüdinghausen

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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