Oer-Erkenschwick: Haard, Stimberg and Mining History

Oer-Erkenschwick offers a variety of options for a stay: trails in the Haard, views from the Stimberg and insights into mining history. A visit to a swimming pool is another possibility.

Haard: Forest Trails and Viewpoints

The Haard is the largest contiguous forest in the Hohe Mark Nature Park. Its landscape includes hills and summits, quiet dry valleys, and narrow and wide paths. At 157 metres, the Stimberg is the highest elevation in the Haard.

Another viewpoint is on the Ewald-Fortsetzung spoil tip. Its 130-metre-high summit offers views of Oer-Erkenschwick, Datteln and the Haard. After the climb, there is a place to rest on the spoil tip, with a view across the former mining site. This means a high point in the Haard and the view from a spoil tip offer two different impressions of the surrounding area.

Hiking and Cycling

Hiking in the Haard is one of the leisure activities available in Oer-Erkenschwick. The fifth stage of the Hohe Mark Steig and part of its sixth stage run through the Haard. The stage information can help you include the section of the trail that runs through the area in your tour plans. For planning a bike ride, there is a different route to follow: a cycle route follows the Haardgrenzweg, passes Stimbergpark and continues towards Katenkreuz in Datteln.

At the Stimberg access point, there is a car park at Ahsener Straße 97, about 600 metres from the Stimberg. This specific reference point complements the information about the trails without conflating the hiking and cycling routes. When planning, consider whether you would prefer to follow the stages of the Hohe Mark Steig or the route described along the Haardgrenzweg.

Mining History at the Museum

The Mining and History Association was founded in 2002 to preserve Oer-Erkenschwick’s mining history. At the Mining Museum, guided tours begin with a historical overview of how coal was formed and the technology used to extract it. Original mining equipment can be seen in the underground section. The tour thus connects the history of the resource with the technology used in mining.

A visit does not necessarily have to include a guided tour: visits without a guide are also possible during opening hours. Groups can book guided tours. If you are planning to visit the museum during your stay, check the opening hours; the Tourist Information Office has brochures and maps to help you prepare for your visit.

Swimming and Planning Your Visit

Municipal information published in June 2026 lists a 25-metre swimming pool, a non-swimmer pool and a diving pool with one- and three-metre diving boards at maritimo Beach. If you are planning a visit, check the operating conditions before your trip. This makes it a distinct option from a tour through the Haard or a visit to the Mining Museum.

So, when planning your stay in Oer-Erkenschwick, you can choose between different activities: trails, mining history and swimming. Brochures and maps from the Tourist Information Office can help you prepare for your visit.

Discover more destinations: Castrop-Rauxel, Datteln, Dorsten, Gladbeck, Waltrop, Hervest, Marl, Herten

For the regional travel overview: Recklinghausen.