Datteln: Canals, Haard and Active Discoveries

Canals, hiking trails and the Haard give Datteln a varied character: here you can combine waterside scenery and nature with activities on land. When planning your trip, it comes down to which experiences matter most to you. The Datteln Blue Eight, paths along the banks, water sports on the canals and the mountain bike loop each offer a different focus. A cultural outing to the 1950s Museum is another way to add variety to your stay.

Waterways and the Datteln Blue Eight

The Dortmund-Ems Canal, the Rhine-Herne Canal, the Datteln-Hamm Canal and the Wesel-Datteln Canal are all within Datteln’s municipal area. The Blue Eight makes this waterside landscape part of the nature experience on a 17-kilometre permanent hiking trail. Beyond the lock system, the route leads to the Datteln Sea. From a bridge, you can take in a panorama of the Port of Datteln, the Datteln Sea and the canal junction.

The Datteln Sea is a large body of water where the Wesel-Datteln Canal and the Dortmund-Ems Canal meet. If you enjoy walking, you can factor the length of the Blue Eight into your day’s plans and make the route a specific focus of your trip. For more activity by the water, Datteln has 35 kilometres of paths along the banks for hiking and cycling. The canals also offer 19 kilometres of routes for rowing, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. This means you can plan your trip around a walk or bike ride along the banks, or an activity on the water.

Forest trails and tours in the Haard

More than a quarter of the Haard lies within Datteln’s municipal area; it is part of the 1,040-square-kilometre Hohe Mark Nature Park. The Haard offers opportunities for hiking, Nordic walking, horse riding and cycling. This is a different way to experience the surroundings than following the canal paths: instead of a waterside route, you can make activities in the forest the focus of your outings.

For mountain biking, the 42-kilometre Haard on Tour loop passes through the municipal areas of Haltern, Datteln, Marl and Oer-Erkenschwick. It runs mainly along forest trails and many natural singletrack routes. These details give the tour its own character: it is designed as a longer circular route and mainly uses forest trails. When choosing your holiday apartment in Datteln, you can first consider whether hiking and cycling, the canals or a mountain bike loop should be the focus of your trip.

A glimpse of everyday life in the 1950s

The 1950s Museum in Datteln offers a glimpse of everyday life during Germany’s post-war economic miracle. Its exhibits are fully functional and are used in everyday settings. This makes a visit to the museum a different kind of discovery from a tour through the Haard or along the water: the focus is on objects and daily life in a particular historical period. If you are looking for a cultural touch alongside nature and outdoor activities during your stay, you can include the museum in your plans.

When looking for a holiday apartment, this selection is a helpful starting point for tailoring your trip to the activities you want to enjoy.

For other places to consider: Waltrop, Herten, Castrop-Rauxel, Dorsten, Recklinghausen, Oer-Erkenschwick, Hervest, Haltern Am See.

Back to the main travel overview: Recklinghausen.