Whether a short walk or an extensive hike before or after the museum visit. The Neandertal nature reserve along the picturesque Düssellandschaft invites you to relax and linger. Discover numerous cycling and hiking routes as well as our exciting outdoor programmes.
The neanderland STEIG connects the natural beauty and sights of the neanderland over a distance of around 240 kilometres. The 17 stages lead past bathing lakes, moors, heathland and local recreation areas. There are shorter discovery loops for day hikers, three of which lead past the Neanderthal Museum.
The ‘Hochdahl Monument Route’ discovery loop tells the story of the historical development of Hochdahl. From the construction of the railway in 1841 and the founding of an ironworks to the completion of the town expansion in 1995.
The Evolution Trail starts at Mettmann railway station and leads through the city forest to the town centre. There are many historical buildings to discover in the historic upper town. The trail continues into the Neandertal valley with the Menschenspuren sculpture trail and the historic Winkelsmühle mill.
The tour starts at the Nösenberg car park and leads through the wild and romantic Stinderbach valley along the stream of the same name. Along the way, hikers are treated to fascinating views of floodplains, meadows and forest. It continues into the Neandertal valley past the historic railway station and the world-famous museum.
In the past, they served Neanderthals as a source of meat, hides and tools: bison. These animals, which are rarely found today, live together with replicas of aurochs and tarpans (wild horses), which became extinct in Europe hundreds of years ago, in the large and extensive Ice Age Animal Park. You can discover them on a walk along two circular trails.
In the middle of the Rhine & Ruhr conurbations close to the state capital Düsseldorf, the Neandertal invites you to enjoy numerous varied cycle tours. Whether travelling from Düsseldorf or from the southern Ruhr region near Essen, the Neandertal is a highly attractive destination for a special kind of stopover. We have put together some tips and tours for a wide range of requirements for you here.
Along the almost 40-kilometre Niederbergbahn route, there is plenty to see for lovers of interesting engineering and architecture, including almost two dozen bridges and the excellent architecture of the Neanderthal Museum. The route runs from Essen-Kettwig via Heiligenhaus to Velbert, Wülfrath and Haan-Gruiten.
Five outdoor highlights around the Neanderthal Museum await you in the Neandertal World of Discovery. This means you can combine a visit to the exhibition with a short walk or hike.
Let one of our experts guide you to the origins of human history or get up close to the animals in the Ice Age Animal Park. We offer exciting guided tours in the Neandertal World of Discovery.
The Neanderthals collected and hunted diligently in order to be able to feed themselves during their hikes. It's easier for you today. Whether in the museum café, Neanderthal kiosk or in one of the surrounding restaurants and hotels, the Neandertal offers a wide range of catering options to suit all tastes.
Wild animals also await you in our exhibition - even species that are actually already extinct. Did you know that you can even take your dog into the museum on the first Friday of the month?
