Hochlarmark podcast tour: Industrial transformation in 6 stops

A coal pit, workers' gardens and a pedestrian bridge built from industrial waste tell Hochlarmark's story without a guide.

This self-guided podcast tour traces Hochlarmark's transformation from a coal-mining settlement into a suburb of memory and leisure across 2.9 km and six stops. You navigate between stations using the app, listening to audio narration by experts and locals that weaves architectural detail, industrial history and human migration into the landscape itself. Suitable for ages 13 and up. Available in English and German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hochlarmark's industrial heritage

• Visit industrial anchor site
• See classic brick pithead houses
• Explore Catholic workers' cultural site
• Walk through garden city core
• View newer single-family homes
• Cross pedestrian bridge of transformation

The experience

The tour starts at the industrial anchor (the coal pit that drew miners and built the settlement), and moves through the brick pithead houses designed for uniform living and self-sufficiency. From there you walk to the church that anchored the Catholic workers and the Ruhr Poles, then into the geometric core of the garden city, where the ideals of village life were applied to suburban density. Newer single-family homes show the shift toward individualized modern living, and the walk ends at a pedestrian bridge that rose from industrial waste into a landscape for leisure and art.

Navigation and timing are handled by the app, which guides you point-to-point between the six stations over roughly 98 minutes across 2.9 km. The podcast narration (told by experts and locals rather than a single guide) unpacks the architectural choices, the labor history and the cultural roots embedded in each stop. You can pause, rewind or linger as long as you want. The app also includes an interactive guide for questions about the history and surroundings as you move through the suburb.

The tour works for anyone interested in urbanism, infrastructure and how landscapes carry memory. It suits walkers of all fitness levels and is accessible to ages 13 and up. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Podcast-style audio narration by experts and locals in English or German.
• interactive guide in the app for questions about history and surroundings.
• point-to-point navigation between all six stops.
• verified historical facts woven into the story.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

Audio guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Red Thread

Is this one for you?This is a self-guided tour you navigate yourself using the app, so it suits anyone who prefers to explore at their own pace without waiting for a group or a fixed departure time. The podcast narration means you get expert storytelling without a live guide walking beside you.

Top questions

What is the coal pit stop actually about?

The coal pit is the industrial anchor from which Hochlarmark originated and which drew the massive influx of miners that built the settlement. The podcast explains how extraction shaped everything that followed.

How long does the whole walk take?

The tour covers 2.9 km across six stations in roughly 98 minutes, though you control the pace and can spend more time at any stop.

Can I do this tour if I don't speak German?

The audio guide is available in both English and German, so you can choose the language when you start.

What is the pedestrian bridge and why does it matter?

The bridge is a striking landmark that symbolizes Hochlarmark's transformation from industrial extraction into a landscape for leisure and art. It was built from industrial waste itself.

Do I need to book a specific time to start?

No. You download the app, start whenever you want and move through the six stations at your own pace using the app's navigation.