North Rhine-Westphalia summer holidays: free barefoot paths, centenary toboggan runs and wildlife parks for under €2
As summer holidays begin in Germany's most populous state, families can choose from a barefoot trail with a suspension bridge, a 100-year-old toboggan run at €1 a ride, and a free open-air pool in a former colliery.
On foot through woods and water
A barefoot path in Bad Wünnenberg, south of Paderborn, stretches for roughly one kilometre over bark mulch, fine and coarse pebbles, grass, clay and a stream. Two standout structures punctuate the route: a suspension bridge and a 34-metre-long boardwalk that cuts straight through a marshland. The path is free of charge. Close by, the hillside slide "Big Sam" snakes down about 15 metres of elevation through the forest to a paddling pond, also at no entry cost. For families who prefer a longer walk, a 2.6-kilometre smuggler trail at Straelen-Velden in the Kleve district runs through woods and meadows along the Dutch border, with climbing and swinging elements for children.
In the Köllbachtal in the northern Münsterland, a roughly 120-metre ball run with various obstacles sits inside the forest. Balls are available from a vending machine at the start for 50 cents. Hidden geocaches and a tree house around the track promise extra exploration, according to the local tourism office.
A centenary toboggan and pedal karts
A family-run amusement park in Ibbenbüren, in the Steinfurt district, houses a 100-metre rail-guided sled run that recently celebrated its 100th birthday. Visitors still ride the historic wooden sleds downhill; each trip costs €1 for children and adults alike. The park's newest attraction is a kart track called "Zwergen-Flitzer" for children up to eight years old, priced at €1.50 per ride.
In Solingen, the playground at the historic Engelsberger Hof estate offers a large area for climbing and play, centred on a locomotive named "Schnaufi" that is especially popular with younger visitors.
Cool water and industrial heritage
A free outdoor pool operates on the grounds of the Zollverein colliery in Essen. Renovated in time for its 25th anniversary, the works swimming pool is open daily from noon until 20:00 in good weather until 1 September. The season closes on the last Saturday with a splash-bomb contest where a jury judges the most stylish jumps. The wider Zollverein site also hosts cultural attractions.
Wildlife on the doorstep
The animal park in Olderdissen, Bielefeld, opens 365 days a year with around 450 animals ranging from a pair of brown-bear sisters to alpine marmots whose territory spans the whole park. The site lies in the Teutoburg Forest; visitors may watch but not feed the animals, and dogs on a short lead are welcome. Entry is free.
In the Zwillbrocker Venn nature reserve in the western Münsterland, near the Dutch border, further nature discovery awaits families seeking low-cost outings.
