Trade has always been the origin of many settlements and today's
cities. Important trade routes used to criss-cross Europe. The Hellweg was one
of these central trade routes. It connected the towns of today's
Ruhrgebiet early on and even today you can often read the street name, which is a reminder of this important history.
The starting point
This circular route starts at the train station in Unna, which is well connected to the regional rail network. Even by car, there are usually paid parking spaces close to the city center.
Start of the tour
From the train station in Unna, the tour initially heads east along paths of the former Hellweg. At junction 35, the route branches off to the south.
The Haarstrang
The route leads over the Haarstrang, a small mountain range north of the Ruhr. There are a few meters in altitude to conquer. In return, you are rewarded time and again with beautiful views. The horizon is wide and, in good weather conditions, you can see as far as the Sauerland. A descent finally leads down into the Ruhrtal near Wickede.
The RuhrtalRadweg
As an important river, the Ruhr was a central trade route from early on. Horses pulled the barges upstream along the Ruhr. Today, the popular RuhrtalRadweg often runs along these former towpaths, also known as towpaths, directly alongside the water.
The route leads to Fröndenberg/Ruhr via the RuhrtalRadweg. It is worth visiting the chainsmith museum here at the weekend (please note opening times!). The route continues across fields and past farms. '
The ascent to Opherdicke
From junction 37, the route once again leads steeply uphill to the Ardeygebirge. The climb to Opherdicke is energy-sapping, but an e-bike makes the tour much more relaxed. Haus Opherdicke is a beautiful Wasserschloß, the first mention of which dates back to 1176. In addition to exhibition and gallery spaces, chamber concerts also provide a fitting cultural backdrop to the historic buildings.
Back to the starting point
The route leads back to Unna through a beautiful natural landscape. Here, a visit to the "Center for International Light Art" in the former Linden brewery is particularly worthwhile. Light artists from all over the world have enhanced the cellar vaults of the former brewery with extraordinary light installations. There are numerous restaurants and cafés in the beautiful Altstadt. Every two years, the "Un(n)a Festa Italiana" event is one of the city's highlights.