Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis

Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis is an administrative area in North Rhine-Westphalia with nine towns between Wuppertal, Bochum and Hagen. The land lies between the river valleys of the Ruhr and the Ennepe and is administered from Schwelm.

The area was formed in 1929 when three smaller administrative units were merged together. In 1975 Witten joined and shaped the current extent.

The area takes its name from two rivers that flow through the land and once powered small mills and workshops. The nine towns each keep their own centers with market squares and town halls that you notice as you pass through.

Motorways link the area to Cologne, Dortmund and Wuppertal and pass through several of the towns. Visitors arriving by train find stations in almost all larger settlements.

The coat of arms shows red and white fields of the old County of Mark and wavy lines for the two rivers. These symbols recall the medieval rule and the geography of the area.

Location: Arnsberg Government Region

Inception: August 1, 1929

Capital city: Schwelm

Elevation above the sea: 226 m

Part of: Regionalverband Ruhr

Shares border with: Hagen, Dortmund, Essen, Bochum, Mettmann, Wuppertal, Märkischer Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis

Website: https://enkreis.de

GPS coordinates: 51.35000,7.31667

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:36