North Rhine-Westphalia is a diverse region in western Germany, characterized by a varied landscape that supports a wide range of outdoor pursuits. The geography includes low mountain ranges such as the Eifel, Sauerland, Teutoburg Forest, and Bergisches Land, alongside dense forests and picturesque river valleys. These natural features provide extensive trail networks suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, gravel biking, mountain biking, and more.
North Rhine-Westphalia offers a comprehensive selection of outdoor…
250
Routes
4.6
(75801)
Average rating
306386
People visited

4.7
(1989)
6,435
hikers
9.89km
02:46
190m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(2087)
7,523
hikers
12.7km
03:41
330m
330m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(1745)
6,041
hikers
27.4km
07:44
520m
520m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(2012)
6,863
hikers
10.5km
02:58
210m
210m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.8
(2498)
7,239
riders
57.5km
03:36
460m
460m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(2621)
5,916
riders
30.0km
01:49
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(2752)
7,620
riders
47.5km
02:55
280m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(1651)
5,703
riders
17.7km
01:19
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(558)
1,882
riders
41.7km
03:38
490m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(178)
831
riders
41.3km
03:34
910m
910m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.6
(94)
401
riders
42.7km
03:48
900m
900m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(34)
172
riders
50.2km
04:44
1,180m
1,180m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.6
(163)
518
riders
47.2km
03:13
210m
210m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(31)
137
riders
103km
06:36
690m
690m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(56)
214
riders
47.3km
03:28
260m
270m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.3
(43)
175
riders
63.3km
04:41
370m
370m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.8
(17)
184
riders
96.3km
04:30
1,150m
1,140m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(26)
333
riders
50.3km
02:23
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.4
(5)
114
riders
81.2km
04:05
1,210m
1,210m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.6
(8)
77
riders
51.8km
02:40
830m
830m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.7
(57)
3,466
runners
51.5km
05:46
870m
870m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(11)
3,775
runners
19.8km
02:05
60m
60m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(76)
372
runners
4.44km
00:28
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
162
runners
11.8km
01:31
390m
400m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.8
(4)
20
hikers
21.3km
06:43
830m
830m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
6
hikers
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(6)
15
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

3
hikers
10.9km
03:09
270m
270m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Golden autumn – hiking in the Schmallenberger Sauerland
Hiking Collection by
Schmallenberger Sauerland
Experience cycling between coal and nature: the radrevier.ruhr
Cycling Collection by
radrevier.ruhr
Between mining and castles – bike Tours in the Aachen region
Cycling Collection by
Städteregion Aachen
Hiking old paths from Osnabrück to the Dutch border – Töddenweg
Hiking Collection by
Angelina Kuhlmann
Wittekindsroute – In three days around the district of Herford
Cycling Collection by
Angelina Kuhlmann
Weser Cycle Route – the Weser Uplands to the German North Sea Coast
Cycling Collection by
Weser-Radweg
Blow away between forests and flood plains - Nijmegen regional trail
Hiking Collection by
Klaske Schep
A Vennbahn voyage - bikepacking through three countries in three days
Cycling Collection by
Ostbelgien
North Rhine-Westphalia offers a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, gravel biking, mountain biking, and jogging. The region features diverse landscapes such as low mountain ranges, dense forests, and river valleys. Komoot hosts more than 379,000 routes for various sports.
Outdoor activities in North Rhine-Westphalia are highly popular on komoot, with over 3.2 million visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.54 out of 5 stars from more than 666,000 ratings.
Key hiking areas in North Rhine-Westphalia include the Eifel National Park, Sauerland, Teutoburg Forest, and Bergisches Land. These regions offer extensive trail networks through forests, along lakes, and across varied terrain. For more information, consult the Hiking in North Rhine-Westphalia guide.
North Rhine-Westphalia offers numerous family-friendly hiking trails suitable for various ages and abilities. These routes often feature gentle inclines and interesting natural or historical sights. A dedicated guide for these trails is available: Family-friendly hikes in North Rhine-Westphalia.
North Rhine-Westphalia provides excellent options for touring and gravel cycling. Converted railway lines offer routes with gentle inclines, while river paths along the Rhine provide scenic journeys. For gravel biking, areas like Sauerland, Eifel, and Bergisches Land offer diverse terrain. Find more details in the Cycling in North Rhine-Westphalia guide.
Mountain bikers can find a range of trails in North Rhine-Westphalia, from scenic rides to challenging singletracks. Notable regions for mountain biking include Sauerland-Rothaargebirge, Eifel, and Bergisches Land. The MTB Trails in North Rhine-Westphalia guide provides further information.
Many trails in North Rhine-Westphalia are suitable for hiking with dogs, offering varied landscapes and natural environments. It is advisable to check local regulations for specific nature reserves or national parks. A guide for these routes is available: Dog-friendly hikes in North Rhine-Westphalia.
North Rhine-Westphalia features several natural landmarks, including the Externsteine sandstone formations in the Teutoburg Forest and the Kluterthöhle cave with its underground lakes. The region also hosts the northernmost flamingo breeding colony in Europe in Münsterland.
Many trails in North Rhine-Westphalia are accessible via public transport, particularly bus stations. This allows for linear routes or starting points for circular hikes without needing a car. Refer to the Hikes from bus stations in North Rhine-Westphalia guide for specific routes.
Yes, North Rhine-Westphalia offers a variety of easy hiking routes suitable for beginners or those seeking less strenuous walks. These trails typically feature gentle terrain and shorter distances. The Easy hikes in North Rhine-Westphalia guide provides suitable options.
North Rhine-Westphalia is home to several significant nature parks. These include the Eifel National Park, Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park, Hohe Mark Nature Park, and Arnsberg Forest Nature Park. These areas preserve diverse habitats and offer extensive outdoor recreation opportunities.
North Rhine-Westphalia has many traffic-free bike routes, often utilizing converted railway lines or dedicated river paths. These routes are ideal for relaxed touring or gravel biking away from vehicle traffic. Guides like Traffic-free bike rides in North Rhine-Westphalia provide specific options.

