Rüpingsbach

The Rüpingsbach is an eight-kilometer-long (5-mile) stream in southern Dortmund, formed where the Grotenbach and the Kirchhörder Bach meet. Originally, the stream was part of the Emscher system's wastewater network and flowed through a concrete channel. As part of the Emschergenossenschaft's reconstruction project, it was restored to a natural state and now carries clean water again. You can explore the stream along a newly built riverside path in the An der Panne nature reserve. The path passes historic reminders of the industrial era, such as the former Rüpingsmühle mill and the railway embankment of the Henriette colliery, all explained by informative signs. Another highlight is a participatory vineyard where Cabaret Noir grapes are grown. While the Rüpingsbach has already been restored, work on the Grotenbach and the Kirchhörder Bach is still underway, with completion planned for 2028.