Cycling day trip from Duisburg to Essen

Roll out from Duisburg, home to the world’s largest inland port, and head east toward Essen on a roughly 24 km ride. The route strings together plenty of dedicated cycleways and park paths, with only short sections on quiet streets. Surfaces are mostly smooth and paved; expect some paving stones and a brief gravel stretch—fine for city or touring bikes. Terrain is gently rolling (around 160 m of ascent) with low max elevation, so it’s friendly for most riders.

You can weave through green corridors and Ruhr industrial heritage—consider a detour to Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord or follow stretches along the Emscher. Rolling into Essen, a former coal-and-steel powerhouse turned European Green Capital (2017), you’re greeted by top sights like the UNESCO-listed Zollverein Coal Mine Complex and the leafy Grugapark.

In short: a relaxed cross-city cruise with industrial history, parks, and solid bike infrastructure—great for an easy half-day with stops.