Discover Unna: Water, Routes and Industrial Heritage

In the district of Unna, green landscapes between the Lippe and Ruhr rivers meet striking examples of church architecture, monastic history and industrial heritage. At the eastern edge of the Ruhr region, the area extends into the northern Münsterland and southern Sauerland. This gives you several options when planning your trip: explore forests and lakes, choose cycling or hiking routes, and discover cultural sites in several towns.

Forests, lakes and varied waterscapes

The forests near Cappenberg are designated as a special conservation area of the European Union and are also designated as a nature reserve by the district of Unna. Numerous hiking routes run through the woodland. The Cappenberg Forest School is also recommended as an excursion destination; the area is suitable for children, too. This makes it easy to combine a nature outing with a specific child-friendly activity, without limiting the day to a single attraction.

The lakes in the district each have their own character. Ternscher See in Selm is fed exclusively by springs and groundwater. It was created during the expansion of the Dortmund–Ems Canal in the early 1930s, covers around 15 hectares and is up to nine metres deep. By contrast, Seepark Lünen spans around 60 hectares on a former mining subsidence area that was restored for the 1996 State Garden Show. Its centrepiece, the roughly nine-hectare Horstmarer See, has a sandy beach and a shallow shoreline. These details give you two different waterscapes to consider when planning your outings.

Getting around by bike or on foot

The RadKreisUnna route is almost 100 kilometres long and links attractions, historic towns, industrial heritage and landscapes. The A-Wege cycling programme also offers eleven circular routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. You can explore each municipality in the district of Unna by bike on its own circular route. The A-Wege map sheets list the distance, approximate cycling time and elevation gain. A QR code links to the associated GPX file; the maps also include route details and descriptions of the attractions. This makes it easier to choose a tour without having to plan every circuit as an equivalent day trip.

There are also different options for hiking. The WestfalenWanderWeg runs from Hattingen to Altenbeken and passes through the district of Unna across the foothills of the Ardey Hills and into the Haarstrang ridge. Hiking tours in the district follow signposted trails. The Westphalian Way of St. James routes offer another point of reference: the north–south route runs from Münster and Werne via Lünen to Dortmund, while the east–west route follows the old Hellweg through Unna.

For families, the Explorer Pass is a helpful way to choose a route. Its ten cycling and hiking tours pass through every town and municipality in the district of Unna, with a particular focus on attractions that interest children and invite them to take part. Hiking routes are generally ten kilometres long, while cycling routes are 20 kilometres.

Waterways and harbour destinations

Water activities also vary by location: canoeing is available on the Lippe and especially on the Ruhr, while the Datteln–Hamm Canal is suitable for motorboat users. In Bergkamen, Marina Rünthe is a watersports hub. You can spend time there even without going out on a boat, and watch the boats in the harbour. The Preußenhafen waterway rest area in Lünen is a stopover and excursion destination on the Datteln–Hamm Canal for hikers and cyclists. On the east bank, the harbour building houses a tourist information office and a kiosk with a snack area.

Churches, castles and industrial heritage

Cappenberg’s Romanesque church architecture and Baroque monastic buildings represent two different historical styles. Cappenberg Collegiate Church is a three-aisled Romanesque pillar basilica, completed in 1148. Cappenberg Castle in Selm is one of the notable examples of Westphalian Baroque monastic architecture. Haus Opherdicke adds another option: its foundations date from the 12th century, and it is considered an example of how historic preservation can be combined with contemporary use. The museum offers exhibitions, guided tours—for example, for seniors or school classes—and workshops where visitors can try painting themselves.

In Unna, the Lindenbrauerei combines a historic industrial façade with its present-day use as a cultural and communications venue. It is an anchor point on the Route of Industrial Heritage and is home to a theatre, alternative bars and the Centre for International Light Art. The Königsborn III/IV winding tower in Bönen is also a cultural venue for music and cabaret; it has hosted, among other events, the Extraschicht, film screenings and music festivals. Visitors can explore the interior on foot, climbing stairs to a height of 55 metres. Check current access conditions before visiting. In Schwerte, the Rohrmeisterei adds to the cultural offer as an industrial heritage site. Overall, the district has a rich and diverse museum landscape.

Choose the right focus for your stay

When choosing accommodation around Unna, it helps to first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: cycling and hiking tours, waterside destinations, architecture or industrial heritage. The examples are spread across different towns in the district. Comparing your planned destinations with your preferred accommodation location can help you focus your choice on the days that matter most to you. Families can also use the Explorer Pass routes as a practical point of reference when planning.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Unna, Lünen, Kamen, Bergkamen, Fröndenberg/Ruhr, Schwerte, Holzwickede, Werne, Selm, Bönen.

Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.