Herten (German pronunciation: [ˈhɛʁtn̩] ⓘ; Westphalian: Hiätten) is a town and a municipality in the district of Recklinghausen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

It is situated in the industrial Ruhr Area, some 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Recklinghausen.

The municipality's highest natural point is in Scherlebeck, close to the border with Recklinghausen, with an altitude of 110 m.[3] Herten is divided into the following urban districts: Herten borders Marl in the north, Recklinghausen in the east, Herne in the south, and Gelsenkirchen in the west.

Herten was the seat of the governors of the County of Vest Recklinghausen, an autonomous state within the Archbishopric of Cologne.

During World War II Herten was spared serious destruction, although it was hit by bombs 53 times.

62 civilians were killed and 143 injured, 18 industrial plants and commercial enterprises and 145 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged.

Its best known sights are the moated red brick castle of Schloss Herten, dating back to the 14th century and surrounded by a park with a pavilion called Tabakhaus.

The former Ewald Colliery, which is a repurposed coal mine, now houses commercial space and a visitor center for green energy.