Ennepe-Ruhr District: Cave, Water and Industrial Heritage

Water and trails around the Glörtalsperre

In the Breckerfeld area, the Glörtalsperre offers opportunities for hiking and jogging. During the warm summer months, you can also swim there in clean, natural water. The reservoir covers 30 hectares and includes adjacent woodland in the catchment area between Breckerfeld in the Ennepe-Ruhr District, and Halver and Schalksmühle in the Märkischer Kreis. This makes it a great destination for both a waterside outing and outdoor exercise, and neither is limited to the same season: swimming is specifically mentioned for the warm summer months, while hiking and jogging are also possible.

Kluterthöhle: Discover geology

In Ennepetal, Kluterthöhle is designated a National Natural Monument and a National Geotope. Its walls display exceptionally well-preserved fossils. On a guided tour, you can experience this special geological site up close: tours are offered several times a day, and on some days there are also physically challenging adventure tours. Children’s groups can take part in a fossil workshop and visit the cave. All available public tours and events can be booked online; check the available dates there as you plan your visit.

The location is also easy to pin down: Kluterthöhle is one kilometre from Ennepetal (Gevelsberg) train station, 300 metres from Ennepetal bus station and 150 metres from the Esbecke bus stop. If you make the cave the focus of your stay, these distances can help you plan how to get around. For a longer hike, the third stage of the Ennepe-Steig runs for about 14 kilometres from the Ennepetalsperre to Kluterthöhle.

Hiking with different landmarks

The Ennepetal Karst Hiking Trail is 11.5 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 330 metres. Its 49 stations include five with information panels. By comparison, the third stage of the Ennepe-Steig is longer, at about 14 kilometres; its stated landmarks are the Ennepetalsperre and Kluterthöhle. When planning, you can therefore choose between the shorter stated distance, with its elevation gain and stations, and the longer stage, defined by its two endpoints.

Industrial history, views and hands-on activities

At the LWL Industrial Museum Henrichshütte Hattingen, the “Path of Iron” traces the flow of materials from ore, coke and limestone to molten pig iron. A glass elevator takes you up to the 55-metre-high “Giant,” where you can enjoy views of the region’s past and present. Hattingen’s town museum also offers different ways to explore historical topics: at museum talks, workshops and events, visitors can try out artistic techniques for themselves.

The tower platform at Burg Blankenstein offers a different perspective. From there, the view stretches across the Ruhr Valley and Blankenstein’s historic centre. Together with the museum and Henrichshütte, it gives you an interesting choice between outdoor views, hands-on activities and insights into industrial processes. You can shape your stay around the experiences that interest you most, rather than exploring every destination in the same way.

Choose accommodation to match your travel interests

If caves and geology are your priority, Kluterthöhle and its guided tours can shape your plans. For active days, the Glörtalsperre and the hiking trails described above offer specific options; those interested in industrial history can visit the material trail and town museum in Hattingen. First consider which of these experiences matter most for your trip, then look for accommodation in the Ennepe-Ruhr District.

Discover more places in the Ennepe-Ruhr District

Witten, Schwelm, Herdecke, Gevelsberg, Hattingen, Breckerfeld, Sprockhövel, Ennepetal and Wetter.

For the overarching travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.