Germany Guide
North Rhine-Westphalia
The Ruhr's industrial heritage trail
Though the Ruhr has experienced the same structural difficulties faced by similar "rust belt" regions in the US, UK and northern France, it has risen to the challenge of what to do with redundant but often gargantuan industrial sites in a very different way. Fierce local pride ensured that instead of bulldozing the sites many were preserved in acknowledgement of the historical significance and tourist potential of these so-called "cathedrals of industry". Today, a 400km road route and a well-signposted 700km cycle trail together form the Route der Industriekultur (Industrial Heritage Trail; 
www.route-industriekultur.de ) linking former steelworks, coal mines and slagheaps to offer a fascinating insight into the technology of heavy industry, with a healthy injection of contemporary culture. Thus, light installations turn redundant steelworks into gargantuan artworks, landscaping and sculpture transform slagheaps into viewing platforms and industrial buildings have been reworked as concert halls, exhibition spaces and museums. Many of the most significant attractions are dealt with in the individual city sections in this chapter, but others of interest are listed below. You can rent bikes from cycle stations at some of the main sites, at certain train stations or by contacting RevierRad at Mülheim's Hauptbahnhof ( 
0208/848 57 20, www.revierrad.de ); for an additional fee you can opt for a one-way rental, picking up the bike in one place and leaving it in another.