Germania·2026

Essen

Essen sits in the Ruhr Valley with minimal elevation; the cycling scene revolves around grinding through industrial landscapes and into the nearby Tecklenburger Höhen hills to the north, where the Gravelgrinder-Tecklenburger Höhen and RTF-Tecklenburger Höhen races draw riders seeking 200–300m climbs within 40km. Runners find flat towpath loops along the Ruhr and Emscher rivers suitable for easy mileage, though the Megamarsch Ruhrgebiet 50/12 bei Nacht offers an overnight hiking challenge across the region.