Justin Bunch | CityscapeTravel
For those of us without cars, travel can sometimes be a challenge. Here are two interesting industrial monuments, the Zeche Waltrop and the Boat Lift of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Both are located in Waltrop, which is difficult to get to without a car, but this hike connects both with a tour of the fading post-industrial landscape of the Ruhr, as its being reclaimed by nature.
Dietmar Rabich
The Hohe Mark is a nature park focused on the mixed forest and agricultural landscapes of Münsterland. Most of this hike takes you through the dense forests to the famous lookout tower, and on the way, you will visit several of the many palaces that dot the Westphalian landscape.
Laravalena
The flat plains of Westphalia around the city of Münster are colloquially referred to as the Münsterland. Despite the lack of serious topographic disturbance, the landscape is one of the wealthiest natural preserves in Germany. Visitors often remark about how alive Westphalia's natural landscape seems compared to other parts of Germany. This is just one tour of many that focus on the natural waterway of the Stever river.
Mbdortmund
While I think the town of Schwerte doesn't quite live up to its reputation as a "well-preserved old-town," it sits above one of the prettier parts of the Ruhr valley. The heights here are full of forested vales, gullies, and dramatic viewpoints.
Erich Ferdinand
According to legend, Charlemagne built a fortress to challenge Saxon rule in Westphalia. Here, a Saxon army was defeated and chased to the North Sea, where they were slaughtered. The ruins of the castle date to the 13th century and would have been administered by Ministerialen from Cologne.