The Industrial Heritage Route turns 25

The Industrial Heritage Route is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. This means that the Route of Industrial Heritage has been combining living industrial history and tourist highlights for 25 years. In the anniversary year, the Route Industrial Heritage network, which is organised by the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR), has planned a series of events. It starts on 29 May 2024 with a ceremony at the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex World Heritage Site in Essen. The date was not chosen at random. Two and a half decades ago to the day, the Industrial Heritage Route was officially opened there.

A long anniversary weekend with the Extra Shift

The ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Route of Industrial Heritage is the start of a long anniversary weekend that lasts from Corpus Christi until 2 June 2024. The Long Night of Industrial Culture, the Extra Shift, The event has been brought forward from the end of June to 1 June. On all days from 29 May to 2 June, visitors will have free admission to the visitor centre at Zollverein. The industrial monument is showing a new 360-degree film about the Ruhr metropolis and photo exhibitions on industrial culture.

Local Hero Weeks

In the anniversary year, the motto „Local Hero“ will be 27 Anchor points of the Industrial Heritage Route each in the spotlight for a week. The Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will also be taking part. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme with special tours and hands-on activities at all locations. You can find more information about the Local Hero Weeks at here.

Explore the Industrial Heritage Route by bike

The Industrial Heritage Route is perfect for exploring by bike. On 300 kilometres the route leads as a new circular route through the history of one of the most exciting and unusual cycling regions in Germany. 14 of the 27 anchor points are approached directly. The circular route also includes nine former railway lines, spectacular bridges and various nature experiences, for example along the Ruhr. You can find more information on www.radrevier.ruhr/radfernwege/route-industriekultur/.

Youth hostels on the Industrial Heritage Route

Regardless of whether you want to explore the Industrial Heritage Route by bike or discover individual anchor points: There are various youth hostels along the route where you can stay: Duisburg Landschaftspark Youth Hostel, Duisburg Sportpark Youth Hostel, Essen Youth Hostel and Ratingen Youth Hostel. You can also find these and 12 other cycle routes in the Rhineland in our Brochure „Cycling in the Rhineland“ (PDF-Download).