From Hiking Dreams to Flights in the Sky

Essen is a city of contrasts—a city that plays with the elements and brings them together perfectly. You can discover Essen over a single weekend through the elements of “earth” and “air.” Your first day begins with “earth”: set off on an extended hike through Essen’s urban hiking paradise. Among Germany’s major cities, Essen offers more than 120 kilometres of first-class hiking trails with the BaldeneySteig, the Kettwiger PanoramaSteig, the ZollvereinSteig and the DeilbachSteig —making it home to the most comprehensive urban hiking network. Almost 90 kilometres of these hiking trails run continuously through the Ruhr and Deilbach valleys, delighting visitors with beautiful panoramas, steep climbs, large woodland areas and lush fields. There are plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the way, many with incredible views across green Essen. With all this nature and tranquillity, it’s hard to believe that you’re only around 20 minutes by bus or train from the vibrant heart of Germany’s tenth-largest city. That’s exactly where you can relax and round off the evening after your long hike through Essen’s hiking paradise. So head back to your hotel, take off your hiking boots and put down your backpack, then make your way to the trendy Rüttenscheid district. Around Rüttenscheider Straße, affectionately known to locals as the “Rü,” you’ll find everything you need for a great evening. Enjoy homemade soul food and vegan and vegetarian specialities in a cosy living-room atmosphere at “PAN‘s Bebop,” fine dining from Nelson Müller at the “Schote” or “Müllers auf der Rü,” or authentic Japanese sushi at “Byakko.” If your hiking-weary feet are up to it, you can dance the night away at the popular clubs and nightclubs around the Rü. The best part? The next day is more relaxed—but no less exciting. That’s when you leave the element of earth behind and take to the air in a Zeppelin. You can only enjoy this experience in this form in Essen and Friedrichshafen. Even the spectacular airship and events hangar at Mülheim Airport is worth a visit. But nothing tops a flight in the impressive 75-metre-long airship. Look down on your hiking route from a height of 300 metres and enjoy 360-degree views of Essen and the Ruhr region. Your weekend exploring the elements in Essen couldn’t end on a more impressive note.