R255: Bergbaurelikte und Schlösser im nördlichen Ruhrgebiet

The tour starts at the Stadtgarten in Gelsenkirchen and initially heads north to the Schürenkamp sports center. We are now in the Schalke district, the blue and white heartland, which we now cross heading east until we reach the Bismarck district. Particularly worth seeing here is the Consol Park with the industrial monuments of the former Consolidation coal mine, once one of the largest combined mines in the Ruhr area, including the shafts 4 and 9.

Immediately adjacent to Consol Park, we come upon the Erdbrüggenstraße mining settlement from 1898. A view through the settlement back towards the headframe of shaft 9 gives an impression of the atmosphere around 1900.

We follow Erdbrüggenstraße eastward and thus enter the Bickern district of the neighboring town Wanne-Eickel. Shortly after passing the former Pluto coal mine with its eponymous spoil tip in the background, we reach the Stadtgarten of Wanne-Eickel with the Mondpalast, a well-known folk theatre.

From here, we head north, crossing the A42 motorway, the Rhine-Herne Canal and the Emscher river, arriving in Herten and the Hoheward landscape park featuring the spoil tips Hoppenbruch and Hoheward as well as the Ewald coal mine.

Continuing through the Emscherbruch, formed by mining subsidence, with the Ewaldsee lake towards Westerholt, a district of Recklinghausen. Here in the Old Village Westerholt, with its over 60 well-preserved half-timbered houses from the 17th century, castle and castle chapel, it seems as though time stands still. We enjoy a stroll through the village with its idyllic atmosphere and recharge for the return journey.

From Westerholt, we head south back to Gelsenkirchen. Through the urban forest of Buer we reach the water castle Schloss Berge from the 13th century, located in a wonderful park. The castle, castle park and Berger See lake are among the most popular excursion destinations for the people of Gelsenkirchen.

Shortly thereafter, we pass the impressive Arena on Schalke, cross the Emscher and canal for the second time and arrive at the idyllic Grawenhof settlement of the Wilhelmine Victoria coal mine from the 19th century in Gelsenkirchen-Hessler.

Through the Feldmark district, we return to the starting point of this varied tour.