Ennepe-Ruhr District: Cave, water and industrial heritage

Water and trails around Glörtalsperre

Hiking and jogging are possible at Glörtalsperre. In the warm summer months, it also offers the opportunity to swim in clean, natural water. The 30-hectare Glörtalsperre includes adjacent woodland in the catchment area between Breckerfeld in the Ennepe-Ruhr District and Halver and Schalksmühle in the Märkischer Kreis. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the travel destination. If you would like to combine water and exercise, you can consider this day-trip option; the activities mentioned take place at Glörtalsperre.

The Ennepetal karst hiking trail has precisely specified figures for its length, elevation gain and stops: it is 11.5 km long, has an elevation gain of 330 m and 49 stops. Five of these have information boards. This makes the trail a hiking option that combines exercise with information along the route. Another route is the third stage of the Ennepe-Steig: it runs for about 14 km from Ennepetalsperre to Kluterthöhle. The two sets of figures offer different points of reference when choosing a hike, but do not make it possible to determine how long either one takes to walk.

Kluterthöhle: guided tours, fossils and karst landscape

Kluterthöhle in Ennepetal has been designated a National Natural Monument and a National Geotope. Fossils are exceptionally well preserved in its walls. The cave can be explored on guided tours, which are offered several times a day. On some days, physically demanding adventure tours are also available. A fossil workshop and a cave visit are offered for children's groups. The options therefore differ considerably depending on whether you prefer a guided tour, a more active excursion or a shared activity focused on fossils.

All available public tours and events at Kluterthöhle can be booked online. For guidance when planning your journey: the cave is 1 km from Ennepetal (Gevelsberg) railway station, 300 m from Ennepetal bus station and 150 m from the Esbecke bus stop. These distances refer to Kluterthöhle and the respective stops named.

Industrial history and hands-on discoveries in Hattingen

At the LWL Industrial Museum Henrichshütte Hattingen, the “Path of Iron” follows the flow of materials from ore, coke and lime through to molten pig iron. A glass elevator takes visitors up to the 55-meter-high “Giant,” from where they can look out over the region’s past and present. The visit thus combines a view of an industrial process with a vantage point from the height of the “Giant.”

Hattingen City Museum also offers more than just looking around: during museum talks, workshops and activities, visitors can explore historical topics and try artistic techniques for themselves. Blankenstein Castle offers another perspective. From the platform of its tower, visitors can look out over the Ruhr Valley and Blankenstein’s historic center.

Choose a location that suits your stay

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in the Ennepe-Ruhr District, you can first consider which experiences matter most to you during your stay. Ennepetal is a specific location to consider for cave tours and the hiking routes described here; industrial heritage and the city museum point to Hattingen. If you are travelling with children, Kluterthöhle has specific offerings for children's groups. This can help you focus your search for a holiday location on your own interests, without treating the different attractions as if they were the same.

For further information, see the town pages for Wetter, Ennepetal, Witten, Schwelm, Herdecke, Gevelsberg, Hattingen, Breckerfeld and Sprockhövel.

For the broader travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.