GardenCity - Experience contrasts

This approximately 48 kilometer circular route showcases the green side of the Ruhr area. Lots of nature, historical old towns, beautiful gardens - the Ruhr area also has a lot to offer for nature lovers. With its railway tracks and towpaths, this circular route is almost exclusively away from road traffic - ideal for families.

The starting point
The tour starts directly at the main train station in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The starting point is easily accessible by long-distance trains as well as local transport. For those arriving by car, there is a paid but affordable option at the large parking lot at Konrad-Adenauer-Brücke. Interested individuals can find rental bikes directly at the station in the RevierRad-Station.

Start of the tour
From the station, you take a ramp onto the new Ruhr express cycle path (RS 1), which leads slightly uphill towards Essen. Perhaps not with the most attractive route directly along the tracks, the RS 1 represents the future of cycling mobility in Germany and is primarily aimed at commuters. One day it is supposed to lead from Duisburg to Hamm over 101 kilometers.

Via the Grugatrasse to the garden city
At junction 1, the tour heads east onto the Grugatrasse. Although it is not yet completely paved, it leads car-free up to Essen-Rüttenscheid. In any case, a short detour to Margarethenhöhe is worthwhile. This settlement designed as a classic garden city fascinates with its calming architecture. Each house looks somehow similar yet individually unique - a masterpiece of architecture.

The Grugapark
The expansive park, founded in 1929 as the Great Ruhrland Garden Exhibition, is now an important place of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of a metropolis. Between rose gardens, dahlia shows, and model gardens, there are many inspirations for the home garden. Regular concerts provide the appropriate cultural entertainment, and many playgrounds make the Gruga a paradise for children.

The Ruhrtal Cycle Path
In Rüttenscheid, cyclists will find a wealth of restaurants to refuel for the rest of the tour. From here, the Grugatrasse leads downhill and well-developed down into the Ruhrtal near Bergerhausen. The tour now leads back to Mülheim an der Ruhr via the Ruhrtal Cycle Path, where the unexpected nature in the floodplains of the Ruhr is particularly fascinating.

The Baldeneysee recreation area
On weekends, Baldeneysee is one of the hotspots in the Ruhr area on beautiful days. Whether cyclists, pedestrians, or inline skaters - it can get quite crowded here. Those who want to briefly escape the hustle and bustle can take a round trip on the Baldeney White Fleet over the lake. With Villa Hügel and the winding tower of the Carl Funke mine on the north shore, important industrial culture can also be found here.

Half-timbered idyll on the Ruhr
Downstream, the districts of Werden and Kettwig await visitors with two beautiful half-timbered old towns. Charming cafes and good restaurants invite you to take a short break from the saddle here. In Werden, the Neukircher lock and the paper mill lock recall the heyday of Ruhr shipping around the mid-19th century. The towpath between the two districts leads cyclists directly along the Ruhr on one of the most beautiful sections of the Ruhrtal Cycle Path. Beyond Kettwig, the tour passes through the Ruhr meadows and wide fields towards Mülheim an der Ruhr. The striking A 52 bridge, part of the Route of Industrial Culture, stands out to cyclists, spanning the Ruhr valley. The Saarn Monastery with a nice café and great herb garden is a wonderful place to relax.

Back to the main train station
In the MüGa Park, which emerged from the 1992 State Garden Show, the historical Schloss Broich and the Camera Obscura are popular sights. The tour then leads back to the main train station via a bridge over the Ruhr that was recently opened to the public.