Discover Holzwickede: the Emscher source, heritage and trails

Holzwickede offers travelers a variety of things to explore: the source of the Emscher and the Emscher Trail, historic buildings, a museum and a historic circular trail. When looking for a hotel, you can choose your stay based on whether you mainly want to cycle, learn about local history or visit cultural attractions.

Emscherquellhof and the Emscher Trail

Emscherquellhof is a historic half-timbered farmstead located by the source of the Emscher and the Emscher Trail in Holzwickede. The farmstead was built in 1801 in the regional style of a West Hellweg farm. During its restoration in 2005, historic drawings and details based on original models were used. The grounds include the Emscher spring pond, where water from five spring basins comes together. The river’s natural source is in Hixterwald, a few hundred meters southwest of the farmstead.

The site also includes bee houses from Emscherkunst 2016. They are part of the Emscher Art Trail and provide a home for wild bees. The Emscher Trail starts right outside Emscherquellhof and can be followed by bicycle along the Emscher all the way to Dinslaken. It is approximately 100 kilometers long. The farmstead café serves coffee and cake on weekends and public holidays; check its opening arrangements before your visit, as they may change.

The Hilgenbaum tells another part of the town’s history. It is a local landmark and is depicted on Holzwickede’s coat of arms. Historically, it served as a place where justice was administered, as a signpost and as a public noticeboard.

Circular trail and history in Opherdicke

The Opherdicke Historic Circular Trail starts at Haus Opherdicke and passes two churches, the former Opherdicke school and Regenbogensee. Six stops, with short texts and photographs, explain the history of the district. Along the way, the trail offers views across the Ruhr Valley and the Hellweg Plain. For planning purposes: it is six kilometers long and takes about an hour and a half without breaks.

Haus Opherdicke combines heritage preservation with contemporary use; its foundations date back to the 12th century. The museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, programs for seniors and school classes, as well as hands-on workshops. Music events are also part of the program, including chamber concerts in the Hall of Mirrors. The bistro serves coffee, cake and savory dishes, with views of the moat or the Ruhr Valley.

After a bike ride, visitors can take a break in the 30,000-square-meter park at the moated castle of Haus Opherdicke or visit the café. The town center has dining options near the historic town hall and market square. Holzwickede’s leisure facilities also include the Schöne Flöte outdoor swimming pool.

Which trails suit your stay?

For planning your day, there are two very different options: a roughly 100-kilometer cycling route to Dinslaken and a six-kilometer historic circular trail that takes about an hour and a half to walk without breaks. This lets you decide whether a longer bike ride or a shorter loop with insights into the district’s history better suits your plans. Visits to the Emscherquellhof café can be planned for weekends and public holidays; check its opening arrangements in advance.

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