The site of Ratingen is unique: just 20 driving minutes away each from the city centres of Duisburg and Düsseldorf, roughly 70% of the town region is consisting of forests, meadows and fields. Quiet rightly Ratingen is therefore considered as the „green lung“ of the region. Optimally you will discover the surrounding at a hike or with the bicycle. The 240 kilometres long „Neanderland Steig“ leads through Ratingen and offers with its topically hiking paths and explorer loops the right route for all tastes and demands- from a relaxed hike with the children to  a sportive tour for ambitious hiking-fans. Families with children love the leisure-park „Blauer See“ with its open-air stage and the fairy tale zoo. Obviously the city itself got a lot to offer: already in the year 1276 Ratingen received the town privilege and can look back on a long history which can be found yet in the medieval city core.

 Amidst the nature: the youth hostel Ratingen

 The youth hostel Ratingen is located roughly 2 kilometres outside the historical city core in the nature preserve Angertal. Directly in front of the house little and big explorers are experiencing the nature in the forest at close range- ideal for families, school classes and leisure groups. The huge outdoor area invites with its playing- and climbing scaffolds not just to romp and frolic. It has also an own bird nature trail on hand on which you can learn something about the domestic birdlife. Following it can be wonderfully relaxed in the cosy rooms. And in the evening time? Than you will come together in the barbecue hut or at the stick bread baking at the campfire or shake a leg at the discotheque.