The water circuit

On this gravel tour you will see a lot of water. It goes along the canal, the Emscher, the Ruhr and some lakes. I started in Recklinghausen-Süd, where it was supposed to go to Gelsenkirchen along the Rhein-Herne Canal. However, there are currently two construction sites that you have to avoid. Alternatively, it goes a bit along the Emscher to the Gelsenkirchen Zoo. From here it goes over the route to the Bochum Centennial Hall. That's the plan ... but there is also a construction site on the Erzbahntrasse, just before Bochum you have to follow the diversion signs, after which you will be guided back onto the route. Here I have proceeded much briefly. You have to delete this section during planning. From the Centennial Hall it goes to the Kemnader See. At the level of the Hardenstein ruins, you take the ferry to the other side of the Ruhr. The river crossing is free, but you can drop an amount of your choice in the blue donation boxes or scan the QR code for Paypal donations with your smartphone. The crossing takes only a few minutes. When you have solid ground under your feet again, it goes on a wonderful gravel bike path towards the weather. Past the Nightingale colliery to the Harkortsee. Here it goes along the Ruhr to the Hengsteysee. A very nice path that was closed for a long time and is now passable again. On the right the Ruhr, on the left the high cliffs of the Harkortberg. Then it goes up to the Casino Hohensyburg. This is also the longest climb you have to master. At the top you can expect a gigantic view towards Hagen. It continues over somewhat rough terrain, through a lot of forest with coarse gravel and scattered roots, over to Dortmund to the Phoenixsee. Also a very nice place to take a break. Or you can drive a little further to the Phoenix West industrial area. There is the Bergmann brewery where there are also fries currywurst. A very cool place in the middle of the beautiful industrial culture. It continues along the Emscher to the Dortmund kidney. A 798m paved cycling training course. Passing the Signal Iduna Park (make sure that there is no home game that day, I didn't pay attention, but luckily I passed there around 4 p.m. where all the fans were still in the stadium) we now go to Dortmund harbor and on past the Deusenberg dump. If you want, you can still drive up here. At the top there is a naturally created pump track for mountain bikers. From here you also have a fantastic view over Dortmund. Now it's off to Bodelschwingh Castle. A very nice photo opportunity. Passing the Schwerin dump (there is a sundial at the top), it goes to the Erin colliery in Castrop and then past Bladenhorst Castle (if you can get over the railway barriers without stopping, respect, then you've been really lucky). Now a little further along the Rhein-Herne Canal and you are back in RE-Süd. Don't be put off by the kilometers that fly by. Since it is hardly a long straight ahead and there is a lot to see, the distance does not seem so long. You can drive the lap in a relaxed manner and incorporate many small photo breaks! Have fun descending 😉