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Did you know that Essen was awarded the title of “European Green Capital” in 2017? With around 786 hectares of green spaces, forests and parks, the city in the heart of the former “coalfield” is now the greenest city in North Rhine-Westphalia and the third greenest city in Germany.
In addition to the Grugapark and the local recreation area around Lake Baldeney, more than 700 green spaces, over 400 playgrounds and prestigious parks in the city districts provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
See for yourself and embark on a voyage of discovery to the green oases of the city of Essen.
Your leisure options
Baldeneysee
The baldeneysee, the largest reservoir on the Ruhr, is located in the south of the Essen-Bredeney district and is Essen’s favourite local recreation area. Whether on a SUP, rowing or sailing boat, on board an excursion steamer of the “White Fleet” or with a cool drink at Seaside Beach – relaxing on Lake Baldeney simply makes you happy. The approx. 14 km long circular path around the lake is perfect for walking, inline skating or cycling. A longer cycle tour may also take you past Lake Baldeney. This is because the path along the lake is part of the Ruhr Valley cycle path, which runs for 240 kilometres from Duisburg to Winterberg in the Sauerland region.
Grugapark Essen
For over 90 years, Grugapark in the trendy Rüttenscheid district has been the green heart of the city of Essen. The 60-hectare park, which emerged from the first Great Ruhrland Horticultural Exhibition in 1929, is more popular than almost any other place in the city as a local recreation area, play and sports facility and event venue. Even die-hard Gruga fans are still discovering new facets of “their” park years later.
And quite rightly so, because the Grugapark has so much to offer that one day is nowhere near enough to see everything: Take a ride on the Grugabahn railway, for example, or visit the park animals, e.g. in the petting zoo, the fallow deer enclosure, the pony rides, the bird flight area or the butterfly garden. Marvel at the colours of nature in the rose gardens, show gardens or various plant show houses. Look out for the more than 40 sculptures along the paths, venture into the maze or visit the park’s various playgrounds and snack stations. The decision is entirely up to you.
The nearest entrance to the Grugapark (entrance at the model gardens in “Lührmannstraße”) is less than 2 kilometres from Hotel Bredeney.
(Photo copyright: Peter Wieler)
Hiking on the Baldeneysteig
The Baldeney Trail is a hiking trail that takes you around Lake Baldeney. The main route is 26.7 km long in total and offers breathtaking views from up to 600 metres above sea level. There are also four side views, detours to special cultural highlights that can be walked from the main route. Start your hike directly at the Hotel Bredeney.
(Photo copyright: Peter Wieler)
Siedlung Margarethenhöhe
That too is Essen: In Margarethenhöhe, a former workers’ housing estate in the south of Essen, time seems to have stood still for a while. Listed estate houses, a picture-book market square and numerous small alleyways give this traditional neighbourhood its extraordinary charm. It is located in the south-west of the city, not far from Grugapark.
Margarethenhöhe was created at the beginning of the 20th century on the initiative of the founder Margarethe Krupp, the wife of the well-known industrialist and entrepreneur Friedrich Alfred Krupp. The estate is still owned by the Margarethe Krupp Foundation, which rents out and maintains the houses. Margarethenhöhe is one of the first and therefore oldest garden cities in Germany.
You can stroll through this picturesque estate just 800 metres from Hotel Bredeney.
(Photo copyright: Peter Wieler)
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