Discover North Rhine-Westphalia

Just get out and about: It’s worth exploring North Rhine-Westphalia—whether on the weekend or during vacation. The diverse natural landscape, fascinating sights, and unique places offer children and parents countless opportunities to enjoy active adventures together. There are attractive destinations for every taste and age group, all of which can be reached on foot, by bike, or by bus and train.

Looking for ideas for successful day trips without having to drive? You’ll find tips here.

Hiking in North Rhine-Westphalia – in the Countryside or in the Cities

Countless hiking trails wind their way through the countryside. But many cities and their surrounding areas also invite you to explore them. The internet offers a nearly overwhelming amount of information. We’d like to highlight a few of these options as examples.

Discover NRW with Children and Teens

The “Discover NRW” portal from the NRW Foundation for Nature Conservation, Heritage, and Cultural Preservation takes you and your children to the most adventurous places in our state. Exciting background information and exploration activities make the family outing something special even before you set out.

The routes themselves will delight your children and (perhaps) turn them into true exploration and hiking enthusiasts. The tours usually start right near bus stops and train stations, making them easy to reach by public transportation.

Mobil.NRW offers a variety of hiking tours: from primeval rocks in the Teutoburg Forest to historic castles along the Lower Rhine and hip street art in Cologne. The routes have been tested to ensure they meet families’ needs. All starting and ending points are accessible by bus and train, and rental bikes or e-scooters are also taken into account.

The free brochure “Discover NRW” from Mobil.NRW is available at the customer service centers of public transportation companies, at tourist information offices or hiking clubs, and at many tourist destinations throughout the state. Hiking enthusiasts can also find the relevant tours and information as an e-paper.

Hiking

The page Hiking with Children by Tourismus NRW e. V. offers numerous tips for great destinations and day trips. Whether it’s adventure trails, hiking with animals, or themed routes—adventurous experiences and variety are guaranteed. A digital travel guide with exciting audio guides is also part of the offering here.

Nature Parks in NRW

Enjoy the scenery, get to know plants and animals:  12 nature parks in North Rhine-Westphalia invite you to do just that. They cover nearly one-third of the state’s total area. The website of the Association of German Nature Parks e. V.. also provides comprehensive information.

Bike Tours in North Rhine-Westphalia: Family-Friendly Routes

Varied bike tours tailored to the needs and abilities of children of all ages get families moving. Throughout NRW, there are bike routes that are easy to navigate and therefore particularly well-suited for family outings.

For example, former railroad tracks and river bike paths offer low-gradient cycling fun, and many bike paths are full of adventure. There are options to suit every taste. The portal Cycling with Children by Tourismus NRW e. V. highlights some of them.