Lock of Herbede

The Lock of Herbede is a navigation lock on the Ruhr River near Witten that regulates water levels at different elevations. It allows vessels to cross height differences and pass through the valley.

The lock was built during the early industrial period to enable the transport of goods on the river. It has shaped the development of the Ruhr region since then and remains an important witness to that era.

The lock connects to several heritage routes that guide visitors through industrial sites in the region. It shows how people in this valley used waterways for commerce and trade.

The lock is easy to see from the riverbank paths and can be watched from land. The best views come from walking along the river paths, especially when vessels are passing through.

Few visitors realize you can watch the lock in action here, seeing vessels slowly raised or lowered through the chambers. This rare sight reveals how this engineering feat actually works in practice.

Location: Witten

Part of: Route of Industrial Heritage – Early Industrialization, Route der Industriekultur – Geschichte und Gegenwart der Ruhr, Märkische Straße Technischer Kulturdenkmäler

GPS coordinates: 51.42167,7.29944

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:24