Herdecke between Hengsteysee and Harkortsee

If you’re looking for a hotel in Herdecke, you can start by planning your trip around your interests: Would you like to spend time by the water, go cycling or explore historic sites? Herdecke lies between Hengsteysee and Harkortsee. By the water, the focus is on outdoor activities and cycle paths; in the old town, historic buildings and route markers shape your walk.

Water, cycle paths and outdoor activities

The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route runs directly through Herdecke, along the shores of Hengsteysee and Harkortsee and beneath the Ruhr Viaduct. A seven-kilometre route also circles Hengsteysee and can be used for walking, jogging and cycling. The well-maintained paths around both lakes also offer opportunities for inline skating and jogging. Canoeing and rowing are also possible on Harkortsee and Hengsteysee.

If you’re interested in a particular stage: a four-kilometre stage of the Industrial Heritage Route begins at Koepchenwerk on Hengsteysee, along the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route. The H1 circular route starts south of the Mühlencenter in Herdecke an der Ruhr; its flat access path leads towards Harkortsee. Another notable bridge is the steel truss bridge built in 1928 at the Hengsteysee weir. It serves as a railway bridge supplying Koepchenwerk and also as an important pedestrian and cycling link from northern Hagen to the recreational areas in Herdecke.

Old town, architecture and industrial heritage

The historic old-town walk takes you through the Bachviertel and around the 1,000-year-old Stiftshügel. A wayfinding system and numbered information boards on historic buildings help you find your way along the route. The walk connects different stops rather than focusing on a single square.

Kampstraße is lined with historic half-timbered buildings featuring carriage entrances. Inscriptions by their builders bear the dates 1819 and 1809. These details also make the street worth visiting if you’d like to focus on the buildings and their design.

Koepchenwerk in Herdecke is considered a nationally significant monument to the energy industry. It combines industrial heritage with modern energy-generation technology. The aforementioned stage of the Industrial Heritage Route also begins there, on Hengsteysee—a distinct starting point for anyone who wants to combine cycling with industrial heritage.

The Ruhr Viaduct is a 313-metre-long sandstone bridge that rises almost 30 metres above Harkortsee. The area around the viaduct is ideal for walks and bike rides. On the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route, you’ll experience the bridge as part of the ride; if you’re more interested in architecture, its material and dimensions offer another way to appreciate this landmark.

Landscape and getting there

Near Herdecke, the wooded hills of the Ardey Mountains offer opportunities for hiking and enjoying nature. So, alongside the waterside paths, you can also explore hilly landscapes and natural surroundings. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you’d rather explore the lakes, the historic old town, industrial heritage or the hills on foot.

Herdecke railway station offers connections to Hagen and Dortmund and is a 10- to 15-minute walk away. For bike rides, Herdecke’s cycle station offers bicycle storage, bike hire and minor repairs. If you plan to use any of these services, check the current opening hours in advance.

Discover more destinations:Witten, Hattingen, Breckerfeld, Wetter, Ennepetal, Gevelsberg, Schwelm, Sprockhövel.

Return to the main travel overview: Ennepe-Ruhr district.