Urban.Trail - A Surprising Three-City Trip

The Urban.Trail Herne-Recklinghausen-Herten is your journey to the heart of the Ruhr—a surprising three-city trip through castles, slag heaps, and harbors. You’ll start in grand style at Strünkede Castle in Herne, an imposing moated castle that blends history and urban culture. From here, the route takes you to Recklinghausen’s city harbor on the Rhine-Herne Canal—a place that feels like a mini-vacation by the water, with a maritime vibe right in the heart of the Ruhr region. Next, head to the substation housing the “Zeitreise Strom” museum, where historic industrial architecture meets fascinating technological history. You’ll then reach the Recklinghausen Coal Mine with its impressive mining complex.

The highlight awaits at the Hoheward slag heap, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Ruhr region from a height of 152 meters. After the descent, the trail leads you to the imposing Ewald Coal Mine in Herten, another industrial landmark featuring an impressive double-girder hoisting frame. As the grand finale, you’ll reach Herten Castle with its English landscape garden—a green oasis that showcases just how diverse the Ruhr region can be. The tour ends at the Herten bus station.