Holsterhausen - Baldeneysee

• Partial Closure Kupferdreh Railway Bridge: The Kupferdreh railway bridge between Essen-Heisingen and Essen Kupferdreh has been closed since 23 January 2026 until February 2027 due to construction work. The alternative route continues along the riverbank and crosses the next bridge. Further information: https://www.dasbergische.de/en/aktivitaeten/wandern/bergisches-wanderland Versatile hiking excursion in North Rhine-Westphalia. We head to the marvellous Baldeneysee lake, known to insiders for the (almost) annual SMAG Sundance Open Air Festival. However, outside of the festival season, you won't notice any of this on the shores of this dreamlike setting. The start is between the Stadtgarten and Grugapark in Essen. The route heads west through the nature reserve Im Schellenberger Wald and NSG Heisinger Ruhraue, and at the southernmost point of the hike along the Heisinger Bogen bird sanctuary. Here you come to the Ruhr, which is the water source of Lake Baldeney, as this is the largest of the six reservoirs of the mighty river. At the bend in the lake, the route then leads to the Baldeneyseekurvenblick - a much sought-after photo motif. The hiking trail is relaxing due to the alternation of forest, water and a hilly landscape as well as the beautiful fresh air. The equally beautiful return route leads past the Heissiwald game reserve and the Oefter Tal nature reserve, via Kettwig and Zinsbachtal back to the starting point.