Urban hiking through meadows, forests and along the lake

Hiking in a big city… Right in the heart of the metropolis, yet surrounded by so much greenery – you’ll only find that in Essen! Spend the day on the Kettwiger PanoramaSteig , which can be easily split into its northern and southern routes. On the northern route, be sure to plan a stop at the Rutherhof. Here, you can try your hand at Swin golf and soccer golf, for example. Afterwards, enjoy a hearty meal at the on-site restaurant. And, by the way, you can sample fresh, exceptionally delicious ostrich meat here, prepared in a variety of ways. Highly recommended! Depending on where you’re staying, an evening stroll through the historic town centers of Kettwig and Werden is well worth it. These two southern districts are known for their half-timbered houses, proximity to the Ruhr, and excellent restaurants and bars. Perfect for winding down the evening.

After a restful night, it’s time to pull on your hiking boots again and head out onto Essen’s other major hiking trail, the BaldeneySteig . The trail takes you on a roughly 26 km loop around Baldeneysee. But don’t worry—you can easily shorten the route here, too, and take the Weiße Flotte, for example, back to your starting point. A boat trip is highly recommended whenever you’re at the lake. Snacks and drinks are available on board, along with breathtaking views—at no extra charge! For lunch, we recommend a round of mini golf at Heimliche Liebe. It’s a relaxing break (hopefully!) and a welcome change from hiking the BaldeneySteig’s roughly 600 meters of elevation gain. You can also enjoy a meal in the beer garden at Heimliche Liebe. Along with great food and cold drinks, you’ll have a sensational view of the lake and Ruhr Valley from high above. After the descent, you’ve earned another break. Along the lake, you’ll find several places to stop for refreshments, the city’s longest beach, Seaside Beach Baldeney, or simply the kiosk by the regatta course, where life is buzzing and Essen locals, day-trippers and tourists come together. From here, you can quickly catch the train back to your hotel or to the main station for your journey home.