You can of course start this circular path marked H4 at any point you like. A good starting point is located southeast of the Mühlencenter in Herdecke an der Ruhr. 200 meters away is the bus stop Hengsteyseestraße, where all Herdecke bus lines converge, and Herdecke train station is only one kilometer away.
Start in an eastern direction, and after about 1.5 kilometers of relatively flat terrain along the Ruhr, you will reach the southern end of the Hengsteysee, at the so-called "Schiffswinkel".
Continue straight ahead along the lake, before turning left after the Koepchenwerk to climb the steep slopes of the "Kleffs" (= steep mountain or cliff).
Via the "Wittbräucker Straße" you will reach the "Unterer Ahlenberg", then turn towards the Herdecke golf course. From the golf course, a small detour to the Haus Ende, an industrial villa in Baroque style, is recommended.
Back at the golf course, continue walking, pass the "Dortmunder Landstraße" and later the "Wittener Landstraße", following the road "Im Wiesengrund" until reaching Kirchende.
South of the small town center are the Mühlenteiche, fed by the Ender Bach.
After a kilometer along the idyllic ponds, you will reach the "Hickenstein", one of the steepest passages in Herdecke, primarily used by charcoal burners and forest workers until the 19th century. On the ridge, follow the "Oberen Dellenweg" to the left, then at the parking lot, turn right onto the forest path down to the banks of the Ruhr at the eastern end of the Harkortsee.
Here is one of the landmarks of Herdecke, the Ruhrviadukt. Turn left here and follow the path along the Ruhr back to the starting point.