Ruhr Quelle, Natural spring in Winterberg, Germany
Ruhr Quelle is a natural spring located in a forest area on the northeast slope of Ruhrkopf mountain at approximately 677 meters elevation. The water emerges from the ground and flows as a small stream into the valley below.
This spring marks the source of the Ruhr River, which flows for 219 kilometers before joining the Rhine. The river eventually became central to an entire industrial region that adopted its name.
The spring serves as a starting point for local hiking and cycling routes that connect the area. Visitors gather here to begin their outdoor adventures through the surrounding forests and valleys.
A small restaurant hut near the spring serves regional food and drinks, and a nearby parking area offers vouchers for meal discounts. The location is accessible and provides a good starting point for walks through the forest.
From May to October, visitors can try mountain carting on a 300-meter track with seven curves, an activity found nowhere else north of Bavaria. This unusual attraction makes the location special for families seeking something different.
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