Cycling day trip from Essen to Velbert

Ready for a relaxed ride through the Ruhr area? This 31 km route takes you from the heart of Essen all the way to Velbert, giving you a nice blend of urban scenes and green stretches. Essen is famous as a former coal and steel power hub, and now it’s packed with culture—think UNESCO Zollverein Coal Mine and loads of parks.

Hop on your bike in Essen and enjoy mostly smooth sailing: over 80% of this route is paved asphalt, and you’ll spend more than half your journey on quiet roads. There are some gentle hills along the way (you’ll climb a total of 537 meters!), but nothing too wild. You’ll also cruise on plenty of scenic paths with little traffic, with just a dash of cobblestones and the rare bit of gravel.

The ride finishes in Velbert, a charming town perched on the high ground between Essen and Wuppertal. Velbert has deep roots in locksmithing and metalwork—spot the decorative keys around town! All in all, this is a chill way to connect two interesting spots in NRW, with a good mix of city life and countryside.