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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Ruhr Region

Kreis Recklinghausen

Castrop-Rauxel

Grutholz Wildlife Park – Grutholz Forest loop from Castrop-Rauxel

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Ruhr Region

Kreis Recklinghausen

Castrop-Rauxel

Grutholz Wildlife Park – Grutholz Forest loop from Castrop-Rauxel

Easy

4.8

(58)

307

hikers

Grutholz Wildlife Park – Grutholz Forest loop from Castrop-Rauxel

01:51

7.15km

40m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.04 km

Grutholz Wildlife Park

Highlight • Natural

The game reserve was built in 1969 after the Deininghausen settlement was built. The city of Castrop-Rauxel acquired the Grutholz in 1963 and began to develop the forest as the largest recreational area close to the city. The enclosure is about 4 hectares. In addition to forest areas, it also encloses green areas and gives the game ample opportunities to retreat. In 1969 it housed ten fallow deer.

2004 threatened the end for the enclosure. For financial reasons, the city wanted to sell forest areas and close the game reserve. Three citizens did not want to accept it. After a citizen's application for the preservation of the enclosure was rejected by the council in March 2004, they carried out a referendum with the question: "Should the game enclosure in Grutholz be preserved?" With the help of numerous citizens, 7751 signatures were collected. An impressive vote that the city council couldn't get around. In July 2004 the city council voted unanimously in favor of the preservation of the enclosure.

The citizens founded the non-profit "Förderverein Wildgehege Grutholz e.V." Animals have a future again and people, including many families with children, have the opportunity to relax in a natural environment.

The development association maintains the municipal enclosure. Citizens take on the care and feeding of the animals on a voluntary basis and keep the enclosure in order. The association covers the costs from donations, membership and sponsorship contributions as well as the proceeds from campaigns.

Source: Grutholz game reserve

Translated by Google •

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1.16 km

Playground by the Wildlife Enclosure

Highlight • Rest Area

Well-kept playground and soccer field
Both are fenced and dogs are not allowed.

Translated by Google •

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2.16 km

Deininghauser Bach Hiker Parking

Highlight • Parking

You can park for free in the small parking lot.

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2.23 km

Stepping-stone crossing at Deininghauser Bach

Highlight • Bridge

Cool crossing aid 🐸😀

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2.76 km

Beerenbruch

Forest

3.16 km

Forest Path Crossing

Highlight • Trail

3.75 km

Grutholz Forest

Highlight • Forest

The Grutholz and Nierholz is a contiguous forest area of around 116 hectares that the Ruhr Regional Association has acquired and prepared for local recreation. The Grutholz owes its name to an old beer spice that was made from rosemary and used in the region in the past. The forest area is located north of the A42 motorway, borders the B235 federal highway to the west and the Deinighauser Bach to the east. The forest site is a pure deciduous forest, the Grutholz is an old oak-hornbeam forest area. In the damp lowlands there are alder and ash quarries and on the drier heights there are beech forests. Tree species such as red and hornbeams, pedunculate and red oaks, poplars, red alders, ash, sycamore maples and bird cherry can be found here. See: rvr.ruhr/themen/orte/filter-orte-detailseite/news/grutholz-und-nierholz-kreis-recklinghausen

Translated by Google •

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6.19 km