Discover Recklinghausen: Culture, the Haard and Hoheward

Outdoor activities in the Haard and on cycling routes

The district of Recklinghausen has a riding trail network of more than 300 kilometres. The forests of the Haard also offer an extensive network of trails, including more than 100 kilometres of riding trails. Hikers will find the Hohe Mark Steig, which opened in 2021, and other hiking routes in the Haard. They lead to the Stimberg and run through the Haard in a way that respects nature. This can help you choose where to stay, depending on whether riding or hiking is to be the focus of your holiday.

The long-distance cycling routes in the district are signposted and mostly run away from main roads. During the peak season, from April to October, an additional information point run by the RVR Hoheward Visitor Centre is open on weekends and public holidays. It is located right on the Emscher Park Cycle Route near the Dragon Bridge and provides information as well as personal advice. If you plan to explore by bike, this is a place to go with questions about your route.

Hoheward and industrial heritage

The Dragon Bridge connects the district park in Recklinghausen-Hochlarmark with the Hoheward spoil tip. At the summit of the spoil tip, a horizon observatory and a sundial come together. The Recklinghausen Substation, an anchor point on the Route of Industrial Heritage, is nearby. The spoil tip can be reached via the Dragon Bridge; the substation offers another possible focus for your stay: industrial heritage.

The Recklinghausen Substation is Germany’s largest electricity museum. Its exhibits include a plasma globe, a walk-through tram and historic kitchen appliances that visitors can try out. The museum offers a variety of insights into the history of electricity and how it is presented. The Ruhr Festival adds to the cultural offering: it is an annual cultural event in Recklinghausen.

Roman history and experiences on the Lippe

Haltern am See offers a distinctive experience of its own. The LWL Roman Museum presents the 2,000-year history of Haltern am See; the Aliso Roman Park is one of the municipality’s visitor highlights. Canoe adventure tours on the Lippe are among the leisure activities available in Haltern am See. If you would like to include culture and activities on the water in your trip, you can make these experiences priorities when choosing a holiday apartment.

Getting here and choosing accommodation

The Vest can be reached by train via more than 15 railway stations. One particularly fast connection is the InterCity to Recklinghausen Central Station. The Vest can also be reached via the Rhine-Herne Canal and Wesel-Datteln Canal. You can take these different travel options into account when planning your holiday, without letting them dictate which experiences you focus on once you arrive.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth listing your main plans: should your trip focus mainly on trails in the Haard, cycling, industrial heritage or the attractions in Haltern am See? If you want to combine several themes, decide which places and experiences are essential for you. This makes finding accommodation part of a considered choice about what to focus on during your holiday—whether you would rather plan visits to museums and cultural events or spend time outdoors on hiking, riding and cycling routes.

Explore more destinations: Castrop-Rauxel, Haltern am See, Waltrop, Oer-Erkenschwick, Recklinghausen, Marl, Hervest, Herten, Gladbeck, Dorsten and Datteln.

See the wider travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.