Escape the Forest Dortmund
A toxic cloud threatens the city – and your team has 2 to 3 hours to save it. Escape the Forest turns a park into the playing field – in Dortmund we like to recommend the Rombergpark, but you play wherever you want. In small teams you follow clues over meadows and paths via tablet, crack puzzles and race against time. Escape room meets nature – out in the green.
What is Escape the Forest?
Escape the Forest is a mobile outdoor escape game. Many know the principle from the escape room: solve puzzles as a team, combine clues, crack codes and work together against the clock. Only here it does not happen in a closed room, but outdoors in nature – a park or city forest becomes the playing field.
Teams are guided by a game app on a tablet that leads them step by step through the mission. There is no fixed room, no setup and no prior knowledge needed: each team gets its tablet, and off you go. Fresh-air movement meets brainwork – exactly the mix that bonds a team.
Highlights
How Escape the Forest works
The escape room experience in the fresh air – as a mobile game that your team runs through the park on its own.
1 · The story
A toxic cloud spreads over Dortmund. Your team slips into the role of scientists who escaped the disaster lab – now you must produce the antidote in the Rombergpark and save the city.
2 · The game
In small teams you follow clues through the park via the tablet, evaluate hints and crack puzzles. Fresh-air movement and brainwork alternate – every solved task brings you closer to the antidote.
3 · The support
Experienced team guides set up the game and are reachable by chat and phone throughout the event. You have nothing to worry about except solving.
4 · The finale
Together against the clock: whoever completes the mission in time saves the city. At the end the winning team is crowned – a moment you'll still talk about over the closing get-together.
Takes place all year with suitable clothing – rain ponchos or sunscreen are included.
Pricing & Services
| Group size | 1.5 – 2 h | 2.5 h | 3 h |
|---|---|---|---|
| from 10 people | from €44.95 | from €47.45 | from €49.95 |
| from 30 people | from €40.45 | from €42.70 | from €44.95 |
| from 50 people | from €38.20 | from €40.35 | from €42.45 |
| from 100 people | from €35.95 | from €37.95 | from €39.95 |
Prices per person, plus statutory VAT.
Individually adjustable: Smaller groups on request, longer event duration, multi-day formats or very specific wishes – we are happy to discuss these in person.
Additional costs: Travel (€0 – 100) plus venue and catering as required.
Scope of Services
- ✓ Planning and execution of the event
- ✓ Provision of complete event equipment
- ✓ Moderation & support by experienced team guides (DE / ENG)
- ✓ Optional with competitive character or as a cooperative team experience
- ✓ Event photos available for download
- ✓ Award ceremony at the end
- ✓ Setup and teardown
Optional Additional Services
- → Individual customizations (puzzles, routes, start and finish points, theme selection, etc.)
- → Branded clothing (T-shirts, hoodies)
- → Winner trophies
- → Event photographer
- → Location scouting
- → Catering and more
We come to wherever you want to play
The beauty of Escape the Forest: we run it wherever it suits your team best – a park, a city forest or another green space, even right on your doorstep. We only give recommendations. For Dortmund we especially like to suggest the Rombergpark, because it brings everything a good game needs – which is why it serves as our example here.
Compact on 2–2.5 km
Around the large pond and the themed gardens of the Rombergpark a loop of 2 to 2.5 kilometres is easy to lay out. Ideal for connecting stations without long distances, so your team stays on the move on foot and keeps crossing paths.
68 hectares of botanical garden
Old tree stands, a wide pond with water birds, a rose garden, moorland and a Japanese garden – right in Dortmund, the Rombergpark is one of Germany's largest botanical gardens. This backdrop pulls teams straight in.
Many scenes, one mission
The pond, bridges, themed gardens and quiet corners turn into puzzle locations. A simple walk becomes a thrilling race against time.
Example Rombergpark: a backdrop that makes your game special
Why do we like to recommend the Rombergpark for Dortmund? At over 68 hectares it is one of Germany's largest botanical gardens – yet right in the middle of the city. The sprawling open-air grounds are freely accessible around the clock; only the plant houses charge a small admission.
You don't need a remote forest for the game: the Rombergpark offers everything a good mission needs in a compact area. From the large pond with its water birds via the rose garden and moorland to the Japanese garden, paths, bridges and quiet corners become puzzle stations. The loop is just 2 to 2.5 kilometres, so your team is on foot throughout and keeps crossing paths.
And the Rombergpark has a trump card few playing fields offer: botanical variety at every step. Between two puzzles the backdrop shifts from the pond shore to the rose garden, from the moorland to ancient trees. On request the day rounds off perfectly with a visit to the plant houses or a meal in the city.
Getting there & good to know
The Rombergpark is conveniently located in the south of Dortmund and easy to reach – by light rail (line U49 towards Hacheney) and via the B54 – ideal when your team arrives from different directions. By car, Dortmund is connected via the A40, A45 and A1. An Escape the Forest pairs well with a visit to the plant houses – just ask us about a supporting programme.
Insider tips for your Escape the Forest in Dortmund
A few hints from experience so your team day in the Rombergpark runs smoothly:
🗓️ Best time
From May to September the Rombergpark shows its finest side – ideal for the outdoor game, when the rose garden and themed beds are in full bloom. But it runs all year; with suitable clothing autumn is lovely too.
👟 Comfortable shoes
Meadows, park paths and shady avenues are part of the Rombergpark. With flat, comfortable footwear your team has more headspace for puzzles and less for sore feet.
🌺 Plant-house bonus
To finish, a detour into the plant houses with flora from distant climate zones is worth it – a lovely contrast right after the game.
📅 Request early
Popular dates (May–September) book up fast. Requesting early secures your preferred date and enough lead time for individual adjustments.
Where we run team events in Dortmund
We bring material, guides and technology. What we need is a place with room. In Dortmund it is usually one of these:
Westfalenpark
At 70 hectares one of Germany's largest urban parks. The Florianturm offers a 212 m view. Ideal for Highland Games and XXL events.
Climb the Florianturm as a team challengePhoenix Lake
The flagship example of Ruhr-area transformation: the former Phoenix-East steelworks became a 24-hectare leisure lake. A modern rally backdrop.
Contrast industrial heritage ↔ modernitySignal Iduna Park
Germany's largest football stadium with 81,365 seats and the legendary 'Yellow Wall'. An iconic rally station for BVB fans.
Build in a stadium tour as a highlightRombergpark
65 hectares of botanical garden with rare trees. A peaceful green oasis for archery and outdoor events.
Arboretum as on education stationGetting to Dortmund
Most teams arrive in the morning and start straight away. This is how you reach Dortmund:
- Rail: ICE hub Dortmand Hbf, ca. 1h ab Köln, 4h ab München
- Car: A1, A2, A40, A45 – Dortmand is carbahnkreuz
- Airport: Dortmand Airport ca. 10 km, Düsseldorf ca. 70 km
- Getting around: Dortmund is has strong public transport (DSW21 with citybahn and Bus, plus S-Bahn ins Ruhrgebiet). Dortmund Hbf central, airport Dortmund 13 km außerhalb.
Where to eat afterwards in Dortmund
After two to three hours out and about people are genuinely hungry. For the round after Escape the Forest we recommend Wenker's Brauhaus (up to 400 people); we can book it for you.
| Venue | Cuisine | Capacity | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hövels Hausbrauerei €€ | Brewhouse/Regional | up to 200 people | City Center | Traditional brewery with Westphalian cuisine |
| View Skylounge €€€ | Modern/International | up to 80 people | Dortmunder U (Rooftop) | Panoramic view over the city |
| Pfefferkorn €€€ | Steakhouse | up to 120 people | Phoenix Lake | Modern location right on the water |
Staying overnight in Dortmund
For teams travelling from further away or staying for the evening: these places in Dortmund are used to groups.
| Hotel | Rooms | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steigenberger Hotel Dortmund ★★★★ €€€ | 166 | Central Station | Centrally located, right at the station |
| Radisson Blu Hotel Dortmund ★★★★ €€€ | 192 | City Center | Modern amenities, conference rooms |
| Überwasser Hotel Phoenix See ★★★ €€ | 52 | Phoenix Lake | Right on the water, modern design |
Weather in Dortmund: when outdoor makes sense
Escape the Forest takes place entirely outdoors. Best time for it in Dortmund: May to September. The table helps with picking a date, the current month is marked.
| Month | Ø °C | Rain days | Sun h/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2 | 12 | 1 |
| Feb | 3 | 10 | 2 |
| Mar | 6 | 10 | 4 |
| Apr | 10 | 9 | 5 |
| May | 14 | 10 | 6 |
| Jun | 17 | 11 | 6 |
| Jul | 19 | 11 | 6 |
| Aug | 19 | 10 | 6 |
| Sep | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| Oct | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| Nov | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| Dec | 3 | 12 | 1 |
- Spring: Westfalenpark and Phoenix-See erwachen. Perfectr Start ins Outdoor-Jahr with Ruhrgebiets-Flair.
- Summer: High season at Phoenix Lake and in the Westfalenpark. The Ruhr region shows its green side.
- Autumn: Golden autumn in the Rombergpark. Ideal for forest events. Note: BVB home match days fill the city.
- Winter: Indoor season in brewhouses and conference venues. Dortmund's Christmas market with its 45-metre Christmas tree as a stop.
Event impressions
This is what Escape the Forest looks like in action – teams out in nature, puzzles in hand, together against the clock.
Good to know before you ask
The four points people ask about most often, straight from our terms and conditions.
Rebooking is free
Moving your event to another date costs nothing, at any time.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before
Up to seven days before the event you can cancel at no cost. From seven days onwards the full price applies.
Final headcount 7 days before
Tell us the final number up to seven days before. Adding people later is always possible at the same price per person.
Invoice after the event
Up to 5,000 € net you pay in one go after the event. Above that, 50 % on signing and the rest afterwards.
Full details in our terms and conditions.
Talk to us directly
René Weinert answers the phone himself. Since 2001, more than 100,000 participants.
Off the shelf – or your own theme
Escape the Forest works straight away as a ready-made format. Those who want it more individual can help shape it – because sometimes a team event should sound like your team, not like a template.
Adapt the theme
Instead of the classic toxic-cloud story, the framework can be adjusted and varied – just ask us about the possibilities. The park stays the playing field, the narrative becomes yours.
Customise individual puzzles
On request we weave company-specific terms, insider references, numbers or a link to your business into selected puzzles. Small touches with a big "aha" effect for the team.
To be honest: not everything is possible, and a fully custom game needs some lead time – but in consultation a surprising amount can be done. Just tell us what you have in mind.
More team event ideas in Dortmund
Escape the Forest is not the only thing we put on in Dortmund. These formats also fit:
Perfect for which occasions?
Escape the Forest suits groups of 10 to 200 people – from a small team day to a large company event. Especially popular for company outings, team building, kick-offs, conference side programmes and club outings in Dortmund.
Frequently asked questions about Escape the Forest Dortmund
How long does Escape the Forest Dortmund take?
Usually 2 to 3 hours. We adjust the exact duration to your schedule.
Where does the event take place in Dortmund?
That's up to you. We run Escape the Forest wherever you like – in a park, city forest or on a suitable site, also near you. For Dortmund we like to recommend the Rombergpark (in the south of Dortmund, easy to reach by light rail and via the B54); we agree the exact starting point with you.
Do we need prior knowledge or an app?
No. Each team gets a prepared tablet with the game app. Our guides explain operation and rules before the start – anyone can play.
What does Escape the Forest in Dortmund cost?
From €44.95 per person. Larger groups receive discounts: 5% from 30, 10% from 50 and 15% from 100 people.
What happens in bad weather?
Escape the Forest takes place all year with suitable clothing. Rain ponchos or sunscreen are included – and the park offers plenty of trees as shelter during a shower.
Where in Dortmund do outdoor events take place?
Most often we use the Westfalenpark with Florianturm, the Phoenix Lake and the Signal Iduna Park. All places suit groups of 10 to 200 people; for larger groups we clarify the space in advance.
When is the best time for an outdoor event in Dortmund?
May to September. Outside these months we plan an indoor alternative in the same quote, so you do not have to rebook if the weather turns.
How do participants from out of town get to Dortmund?
By rail: ICE hub Dortmand Hbf, ca. 1h ab Köln, 4h ab München. For overnight stays, Steigenberger Hotel Dortmund is a proven choice for groups.
Escape the Forest in other cities
Experience our mobile outdoor escape game in other cities too – in a park or city forest near you:
Show all cities here
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