Personen vor Neyetalsperre mit Boot
Leo Thomas, Tourismus NRW e.V., Personen vor Neyetalsperre mit Boot

Travelling along rivers, lakes and damsHiking by the water

Here, exercise meets relaxation, expansive views alternate with quiet stretches of riverbank and a gentle ripple often accompanies your steps. You can combine mountain ranges and proximity to water on your tours as well as challenging climbs and pleasant refreshments. The best example of this is the Olsberg Kneipp Hiking Trail, on which water is not only a scenic highlight, but also a revitalising element: this is ensured by various Kneipp stations, which are beneficial to your health at any time of year.

Whether it's relaxing riverside paths, challenging mountain ranges or invigorating refreshments along the way - North Rhine-Westphalia offers countless opportunities to enjoy hiking by the water to the full.

Our favourite toursHiking by the water

BaldeneySteig
Tree in the avenue at the Scheppen house
Diana Blinkert / EMG, Tree in the avenue at the Scheppen house
Essen
Open today
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  • BaldeneySteig
    Tree in the avenue at the Scheppen house
    Diana Blinkert / EMG, Tree in the avenue at the Scheppen house
    Essen
    Open today
    The BaldeneySteig in Essen is a real insider tip for anyone who loves hiking and water. The trail circles Lake Baldeney, the largest of the six Ruhr reservoirs, for around 27 kilometers and offers spectacular views of the water landscape in the middle of the Ruhr region.
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  • Natursteig Sieg
    Stage 3 of the Natursteig Sieg leads past Blankenberg Castle
    Naturregion Sieg, Stage 3 of the Natursteig Sieg leads past Blankenberg Castle
    Siegburg
    200 kilometers of hiking pleasure with idyllic river landscapes and magnificent views - that's the Natursteig Sieg!
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  • Bergischer Panoramasteig
    Dominik Ketz
    Engelskirchen
    Open today
    A hiking trail with magnificent views of reservoirs, rivers and lakes. The Bergische Panoramasteig leads 244 kilometers through the Bergisches Land Nature Park. Discover the most beautiful water landscapes in the region with the most reservoirs in Europe!
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  • Kneipp WanderWeg Olsberg
    Tourismus NRW e.V., Ralph Sondermann
    Olsberg
    Open today
    Water, hiking and well-being: Natural water treading points along the hiking trail allow water therapy to be combined with hiking in accordance with the teachings of Pastor Kneipp.
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  • Ahrsteig
    Half-timbered idyll in Blankenheim
    Johannes Höhn, Tourismus NRW e.V., Half-timbered idyll in Blankenheim
    Blankenheim
    The challenging Ahrsteig trail runs for a total of 85 kilometers from Blankenheim to Sinzig. It accompanies the Ahr on its way through valleys, vineyards and half-timbered villages.
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Not found the right one yet?Then look here for more ways!

  • Der Rothaarsteig führt durch die Wälder von Sauerland und Siegen-Wittgenstein und bietet Panoramablicke mit Sonnenuntergang.
    Tourismus NRW e.V., Der Rothaarsteig führt durch die Wälder von Sauerland und Siegen-Wittgenstein und bietet Panoramablicke mit Sonnenuntergang.
    Discover the most beautiful pathsHikingLearn more
  • Neanderlandsteig Örkhof Velbert
    Tourismus NRW e.V., Ilonka Zantop, Neanderlandsteig Örkhof Velbert
    Lovely places to take a breakHiking trails with farm cafésLearn more
  • History on footHiking with industrial cultureLearn more