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Family-Friendly Hikes near Essen

There are 29 hikes near Essen in our database that fit. They average 3.4 km and 75 m (246 ft) of ascent.

That is 19 percent of the 151 routes we map near Essen. They are shorter than the local average, 3.4 km against 53.4 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 75 m (246 ft) against 1,170 m (3,839 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

De Hamert - blauw

De Maasduinen · Limburg

Distance
4.0 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
59 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

De Hamert - groen

De Maasduinen · Limburg

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
40 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

De Hamert - rood

De Maasduinen · Limburg

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
115 m
Typical duration
1 hr 15 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

De Hamert - wit

De Maasduinen · Limburg

Distance
4.6 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
101 m
Typical duration
1 hr 6 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Baum-des-Jahres-Pfad Odenthal

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
31 m
Typical duration
20 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Im Alten Berge Rundweg A3

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
6.0 km
/ 3.7 mi
Elevation gain
132 m
Typical duration
1 hr 27 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Rundwanderweg Krägeloher Berg

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
5.4 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
119 m
Typical duration
1 hr 19 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X19 Schlösserweg [Hilden]

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
82 m
Typical duration
54 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X22 Kurkölner Weg [Köln]

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
10 m
Typical duration
7 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X30 Neandertalweg [Erkrath]

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
71 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X30 Neandertalweg [Hilden]

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
5.3 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
117 m
Typical duration
1 hr 17 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X30 Neandertalweg [Solingen]

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
90 m
Typical duration
59 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X7 Residenzenweg (Haan)

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
97 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

X7 Residenzenweg (Hilden)

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
124 m
Typical duration
1 hr 22 min
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
De Hamert - blauwDe Maasduinen4.0 km89 m59 minEasyApril to October
De Hamert - groenDe Maasduinen1.8 km40 m26 minEasyApril to October
De Hamert - roodDe Maasduinen5.2 km115 m1 hr 15 minEasyApril to October
De Hamert - witDe Maasduinen4.6 km101 m1 hr 6 minEasyApril to October
Jakobs-Pilgerweg Variante Haspe - HagenNorth Rhine-Westphalia4.9 km108 m1 hr 11 minEasyApril to October
Baum-des-Jahres-Pfad OdenthalNorth Rhine-Westphalia1.4 km31 m20 minEasyApril to October
Heide-Wald-Route (Haltern Westruper Heide)North Rhine-Westphalia3.0 km66 m43 minEasyApril to October
Im Alten Berge Rundweg A3North Rhine-Westphalia6.0 km132 m1 hr 27 minEasyApril to October
Rundwanderweg Krägeloher BergNorth Rhine-Westphalia5.4 km119 m1 hr 19 minEasyApril to October
Bergischer Panoramasteig (Zustieg Radevormwald)North Rhine-Westphalia1.1 km23 m15 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with De Hamert - rood, De Hamert - groen, De Hamert - wit. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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