Source of the Ruhr – View of the Sauerland Forest loop from Oberes Ruhrtal

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Source of the Ruhr – View of the Sauerland Forest loop from Oberes Ruhrtal

Easy

4.7

(144)

610

hikers

Source of the Ruhr – View of the Sauerland Forest loop from Oberes Ruhrtal

00:51

3.13km

40m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Sauerland-Rothaargebirge

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

49 m

Ruhrquelle Trailhead Parking

Highlight • Parking

A nice idea and information.

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91 m

First Bridge Over the Ruhr

Highlight • Bridge

This is the first bridge under which the Ruhr flows through.

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Tip by

254 m

The not quite 220 kilometers long Ruhr rises in the Rothaargebirge, about three to four kilometers from the center of Winterberg. Among other things, the long-distance hiking trail Rothaarsteig leads …

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960 m

View of the Sauerland Forest

Highlight • Viewpoint

Very nice paths and viewing area on the way from Winterberg to the Ruhrquelle.

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1.77 km

Decorated Christmas Tree with Nativity Scene in Naturpark Sauerland-Rothaargebirge

Highlight • Structure

Has even already got a guestbook

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1.94 km

Twin Ponds

Highlight • Lake

Beautiful scenery! And nice offer with nice paths.

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2.25 km

Cattle Pastures Below Ruhrkopf

Highlight • Natural

2.90 km

Forest Information Center Naturpark Sauerland-Rothaargebirge

Highlight • Rest Area

1. This hut, right next to the Ruhrtalradweg, offers a wide range of information on the subject of forest and wood.
2. They offer a great shelter option in bad weather.

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3.13 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.11 km

Surfaces

3.01 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 7 October

14°C

5°C

-- %

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Comments

July 29, 2022,🍋 Sauerland - Ruhrquelle

The Ruhr has its source three kilometers from Winterberg. It rises from the Ruhrkopf, a 696 meter high mountain, in a small piece of forest that is a nature reserve. Below the spring there is a memorial stone and a rondel. From its source in Winterberg to its mouth in Duisburg, the Ruhr is 219 kilometers long.
This small lap …

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January 2, 2024,🎉Ruhrquelle bei Winterberg-kleine Regenrunde☔️

Today we explored the Ruhrquelle, just under 3 km from Winterberg, which rises as a small trickle in a tranquil forest on the northeast slope, below the Ruhrkopf on the Rothaarsteig in the Hochsauerland district. The source is at 654 m above sea level. NN and flows westward 219 km further into the Rhine in Duisburg. Below the spring, a …

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