Zollverein for outdoor fans

From 2005 on, the Oberhausen planning group has implemented the Zollverein Park on behalf of Zollverein Foundation: The natural wildlife has been preserved, the necessary infrastructure has been created with new footpaths, benches, and bridges around the magnificent listed building ensemble, and visitors from near and far have the opportunity to discover the World Heritage on foot or by bicycle.

The Ring Promenade (Circular Walk), a 3.5-kilometre stretch of footpaths, connects the different locations at the World Heritage Site to provide an attractive local recreational area – to be discovered by foot, by bike, or on rollerblades.

Please note: Presently there are construction works on the Circular Walk in the area of the coking plant. We have limited the access in the construction area and ask you for your own safety to respect the temporary blocking. We will do our best to complete the construction works as quickly as possible in order to make the route accessible again. Thank you for your understanding. 

Prices
free

Opening hours
permanently open

Location
Zollverein Park
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site

Contact
Stiftung Zollverein / Zollverein Foundation
Phone +49 201 246810
Email info@zollverein.de

Our special nature hiking map illustrates interesting particularities of the ecosystem on the UNESCO World Heritage Site by means of a circular route with twelve stations and provides plenty of background information about the location and the different species. The route starts at the bottom of the escalator in front of the former Coal Washery at Shaft XII, where plants from different continents can be discovered between the still existing railway tracks. It continues through the open industrial woodland, where numerous birds make their presence felt with loud chirping, along waters where dragonflies, toads, and newts have found suitable living conditions.

Around the former Signal Box, you will be able to see dyeing plants whose flowers, leaves, and fruit can be used to produce dyes. From spring to autumn, numerous insects can be observed on the site, pollinating the various wild and cultivated plants. The route ends at a wild bee hotel which is open to the public.

The folding map is available as a pdf(German only).

The available range includes bicycles of all kinds. In addition to 28-inch city bikes and bicycles for children, visitors will also find trailer bikes, tandems, recumbent and electric bicycles. In addition, the RevierRad hire point offers hand- or foot-operated tricycles for people with disabilities. At many anchor points along the Route of Industrial Heritage, bicycles can be easily returned to the local RevierRad points.

Organisational information
Rental bikes and accessories can be reserved at all rental stations and, by arrangement, also for a desired address using the reservation form.

Prices
Rental fees range between 6.00 € and 25.00 €. The price depends on the type of bike and the rental period.

Opening hours
Daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location
Cycle hire point
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site
Area A [Shaft XII], Distribution Station 2 [A26]
Gelsenkirchener Straße 181
45309 Essen

Contact
Phone +49 208 8485-720

The aim of the sport parkour is to get from A to B in an urban space as efficiently as possible only using the abilities of one’s body. In the media, traceurs (practitioners of parkour) are often associated with spectacular jumps at dizzying heights. However, parkour is not about risk-taking, but about realistic risk assessment and absolute control of one’s body. It’s about overcoming obstacles with precision landing.

The approximately 600-m² parkour facility is located on the premises of the Zollverein Coking Plant and is open to the public. The combinations of cubes, bars, and wall surfaces offer a challenge for traceurs of all levels.

In the evening, the facility is functionally illuminated until 10 p.m.

The facility regularly offers open trainings sessions as well as special programmes for children from 8 to 14 years and for girls. Registration is required.

Opening hours
April until Ocotber
Open training: Fri 17 p.m., duration: 2 h
Training for children from 8 to 14 years: Thu 5 p.m., duration: 1 h
Training for girls (no age limit): Wed 17 p.m., duration 1.5 h

Prices
Free participation
Registration required

Location
Parkour Course
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site
Area C [Coking Plant], near the Mixing Plant [C70]
Kokereiallee 71
45141 Essen

Organiser
Jugendhilfe-Netzwerk der AWO Essen in cooperation with Zollverein Foundation and its „Zollverein mittendrin“ project
Phone +49 1511 7155363
Email carina.hommel@awo-essen.de