Coming from the deep south, like to ride river bike paths, I purposefully planned the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path to see something different than a boring idyll. And was deeply disappointed. I was full of anticipation of exotic landscapes: smoking chimneys, gigantic waste dumps, coal-dust-laden air, people with soot-smeared faces, clotheslines with black lingerie that was sometimes white. Always along a stinking canal. And? Nothing of it. Fields, meadows, forests, horse pastures, grazing cows. Beautiful half-timbered town. A bike path that runs along an idyllic river, which is slowly getting bigger. Now and then dammed up to lakes, where countless people pursue various water sports or simply "chill". Also at the Ruhr: bathers and kayakers. Too bad, too bad, my beautiful prejudices, all in the A .... Of course everything was meant to be erotic. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful routes I have ever ridden. At the very front, 5 stars, all 3 thumbs up.