Hiking in the Bergisches Land (NRW)
The Bergisches Land
The Bergisches Land is a region in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) named after the historical territory of the Duchy of Berg. It lies on the right bank of the Rhine and includes, in addition to the Bergisches city triangle Remscheid–Solingen–Wuppertal, the Mettmann district, the independent city of Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergischen and the Oberbergischen districts, as well as parts of the Rhein-Sieg district. The historically significant Bergisch cities of Mülheim an der Ruhr and Düsseldorf as well as those areas on the right bank of the Rhine in Cologne, which are historically and geographically Bergisch, are currently less naturally considered part of the Bergisches Land.
The Bergisches Land is located primarily in the precipitation-rich west of the northeast wing of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. The main rivers are the Wupper (Niederbergisches) and the Agger (Oberbergisches Land). The highest mountain is 519m.the Homert near Gummersbach; the highest publicly accessible point is the viewing platform of the Unnenberg Tower. This tower stands about 6 km west-southwest of the Homert in the village of Dannenberg on the Unnenberg; the platform is at 31.8m. Height of around 45m. high tower.
Most of the Bergisches Land is characterized by a varied low mountain landscape with forests, meadows and hills as well as narrow notched valleys< span data-contrast="none"> - also called Siepen - marked with small streams. With the exception of the areas that merge into the Sauerland, the Bergisches Land is referred to as a almost plain due to the advanced erosion of the mountains.
The Bergisches Land Nature Park also defines the area as a recreational area . Although the proportion of forest is quite large, there are only a few larger contiguous forest areas.Naturally, beech forests and beech-oak forests in particular would grow on the slopes. However, since the significant deforestation in the early modern period, large areas have been reforested with the previously non-native spruce. The Nutscheid on the southern edge of the Bergisches is one of the largest forest areas and largely uninhabited. Another large forest area is the Heck between Engelskirchen, Drabenderhöhe and Overath-Federath.
The 10 best hiking routes as our recommendation:
The Bergisches Land is surrounded by gently rolling hills, meadows, forests and remote valleys with rushing streams, dams and small villages with idyllic streets and half-timbered houses. Numerous local and industrial history museums, palaces, fortresses and churches bring the region's history and culture back to life.
What could be more beautiful than exploring this landscape, largely located in the nature park, on foot? You can enjoy fantastic views, experience nature and discover a lot. To strengthen yourself, you are welcome in one of the cozy restaurants and can fortify yourself with typical mountain dishes for the next stage of the hike.
1-THE MOUNTAIN PANORAMIC Climb
The Bergische Panoramasteig is located in one of the most varied low mountain ranges in Germany, only approx. 40 kilometers from the metropolis of Cologne.
It leads in a large loop over a length of 244 kilometers in 12 stages through the Bergisches Land Nature Park. Impressive views of the wide, open cultural landscape accompany you every step of the way. The circular route leads through the valleys of the Agger, Wupper and other small streams, through impressive mixed forests, past lush meadows and many dams - and especially often over the mountain ranges that are so typical of the region with their panoramic views.
On the way you can not only enjoy the view, but also experience a lot.The Bergisches Open Air Museum, various stalactite caves, the monkey and bird park as well as other interesting traces of cultural history make the past, culture as well as fauna and flora come alive. Take a break from your hike or Nordic walking tour and visit a museum, monument or church along the way. It's worth it!
The marking is continuous in both directions, so you can walk the path in either direction. There are also access routes that show you the right way to the Bergisches Panoramasteig.
2-UM DEN BÖMBERG
The route around the Bömberg starts at the hiking car park in Eichholz near Neschen. First it goes along the same route as the dam path to the Great Dhünn dam. The path then runs along the southern slopes of the Dhünntal through the forest to the Bömericher Bach. Following the stream uphill, past the Bömericher Mill, you reach the town of the same name. A gravel path leads straight through meadows to state road 310. The path now makes its way along asphalted slopes through Neschen and Eichholz back to the hiking car park.
The D8 circular route leads back into the forest before the dam and from here runs along the southern slopes to the Dhünntal, past Bömberg to the Bömericher Bach. A refuge invites you to rest here. To the left of the stream, the path now runs upwards until the Bömericher Mühle is in sight. Follow the serpentines and climb the right slope to the Bömerich farm. The path passes above the mill and offers a picturesque view of the well-preserved mill buildings and the mill pond. Behind the farm you cross the valley floor again. In front of you lies open pastureland, which is crossed on a well-paved gravel path to state road 310. On the left you can see the small church tower of St. Michael's Church in the center of Neschen. We continue along the road to the beautiful water tower of the former Neschen water cooperative, which has been converted into a rest area. The route finally leads via the Eichholzer Weg through the town back to the starting point of the circular route at the hiking car park.
3-TO THE DAM NEAR WIPPERFÜRTH-EGEN
The hike begins at the Catholic church in Egen. First it goes in a southeasterly direction to the foothills of the Bevertalsperre. At Großhöhfeld over the reservoir and further partly parallel to the country road (K13) to the dam of the Neyetalsperre. Then follow the northern bank path to Unternien. Past Obernia continue to Stöcke. Behind it, follow the country road (K13) again for a short stretch. Cross this, past the Beverquelle (inconspicuous on the side of the road) and then circle back to Egen, the starting point of this hike (walking direction counterclockwise).
4-ITTERTAL AND HÜHNERBACHTAL IN HAAN
Above the Itterbach, walk in a south-westerly direction on smaller paths and follow the "Kreis" signpost on the "Rund um Haan" circular route. After approx. After 1 kilometer turn right onto a narrower path and climb a few steps to Dürerstrasse. Turn left, follow Dürerstrasse and after approx. After 200 meters turn left again. Then turn left again at Bruchermühlen Straße and right at “Brucherkotten”. Cross under the railway embankment. Shortly after the railway embankment turn right and follow the path parallel to the embankment for approx. Follow 200 meters. Now turn sharply to the left, down the stairs and continue on smaller paths until you reach the street “Brucherkotten” again. Turn right and continue walking west through the Ittertal. Then cross Ohligser Straße (L288). After a few meters turn right and follow the path north. Cross the B228 and continue to the glider airfield. Then cross Spörkelnbruch and past Kellerthor.
Continue hiking on smaller paths, sometimes directly by the stream, sometimes above the valley. In some cases there are a few steps to climb. Then cross under the railway embankment and continue eastwards on asphalted paths. At Kamphausen, cross the Hühnerbach again on smaller paths and continue eastwards to the B228. Cross this and then for approx. Follow the road “Landstraße” for 850 meters. Then turn right and cross the allotment garden. Kamp and Sonnenschein also cross. Behind the sunshine there is an extensive view to the west or southwest direction Then down to Ittertal and follow the Itterbach in a westerly direction. Past the Heidberger Mühle, cross Walder Straße and continue parallel to the Itterbach until you reach the hiking car park again.
5-LYRIKWEG MUCH
A good starting point for the hike is the parking lot at the Hotel Fit in Much-Berghausen, where you can also stop off after completing the tour. From here, the Much lyric path leads us straight down to the beautiful view, where the name says it all. We keep to the left and hike past beautiful pastures and, to get us in the mood, we come across the first poetry board with the title “Sunday in the Bergisches”.
The next destination is the Germana Chapel with nice rest areas and the next board with the title “Outside”. We continue hiking downwards, across a road, past pastures and a pond with a holiday home to the village of Roßbruch. Walk a few meters through Roßbruch and the town is behind us again and we reach Loßkittel and shortly afterwards the outskirts of Much.
Here the Lyrikweg now runs a short distance through a new development area in Much, and again and again we come across erected poetry plaques on our way down to the “Walmwiese” car park. From here we follow the “ant trail” up to Roßhohn.
In Roshohn the Lyrikweg leads to the right and continues past a golf course to Niederwahn. We cross the town and hike up, sometimes left, sometimes right, then back to the parking lot at the Hotel Fit. The many poetry boards on display make the Much poetry trail an entertaining and easy-to-walk tour in the beautiful Bergisches Land, which is therefore also ideal for a family outing.
6- The Altenberg Cathedral and the cradle of the Bergisches Land
At the beginning of the hike we stay on the main street (“Altenberger Dom Straße”) for a while and then come via the Osenau district of Odenthal into the Osenauer Bachtal (a tributary of the Dhünn). We follow this up to Glöbusch. From here we walk into the valley of the Leimbach, a 6km long river that is also on the way to the Dhünn.
The Leimbachtal shows us the direction to Gronenborn, which is already part of the urban area of Leverkusen. Then we turn right and come to Blecher and further to Altenberg in the Dhünntal.
We continue hiking, cross the Hortenbachtal and walk through the Altenberg Wildlife Park and over the Eichenberg (184m) to Hunger, where we pass the district road K 28. The wildlife park is fenced. If the gates are not open, you can simply follow the Grafen- und Mönchsweg (Bergische Streifreisen). It is signposted and leads west along the wildlife park and then meets the route shown here again. Then we hike back to Odenthal, where we find good opportunities for regeneration at the Hotel Zur Post.
7-IN THE HOMELAND OF THE NEANDERTHALS
From the starting point we follow the A 1 through the Mettmanner Bachtal past the Koburg and up to the federal road B 7. You cross the main road and walk to the edge of Mettmann.Then we return to the Düssel valley on the A1. From Bracken you follow the Düsseltal to the Winkelsmühle. At the Winkelsmühle you cross the Düssel and walk towards the Eizeit game reserve.
On the A 1 you now pass the Stone Age workshop and come back to the parking lot at the Neanderthal Museum. Of course, it's a good idea to take a trip to the museum, which opened in 1986 and is now visited by around 170 people every year.000 people attended.
The People Traces art trail is located directly at the Neanderthal Museum. The Ice Age Neandertal game reserve borders the art trail. In the Stone Age workshop, Stone Age techniques and working methods can be experienced practically by young and old alike.
8-FROM NIRENHOF TO THE RUINS OF ISENBURG
Nierenhof is a district of Velbert and is located in the extreme northeast of the city. This circular hike leads from Rinderhof over the Isenberg to the Isenburg and in an arc over Niederbonsfeld back to the starting point.The hike begins at the bus station in Löhnehof. Now follow Hattinger Straße (L924) for a few meters. Then turn left and hike up to Isenberg.
Follow the ridge path, past the climbing rocks and continue to Isenburg. Cross the castle ruins (view of the Ruhr valley) and then descend into the valley. Past the campsite and follow the path that now climbs again. At Barenberg there is a sweeping view of the southern Ruhr area. Hike through Niederbonsfeld and on the ridge path over the Kressenberg. Descend from the Kressenberg with a view of the Langenberg transmitter. Now follow the L439 for a few meters until you reach the bus station in Löhnehof again. This hike ends here.
9-BAUMWEG
You can start the tree path at the town hall in Morsbach. From here we take a short loop through the pretty town center around the Catholic parish church of St. Gertrud, a Hohenstaufen-Romanesque gallery basilica from the early 13th century. Century.
You slowly leave the town via the Alzener Weg and hike up to the Hohe Hardt, Morsbach's local mountain. The Morsbach observation tower, also called Jähhardt, is located on the Hardt. From it you can see far into the Sauerland, over the Sieg Bergland into the Oberbergisches Land and the Westerwald down to the Siebengebirge on the Rhine.
From the observation tower you go through a beautiful forest passage down into the valley of the Wisser Bach. Follow this into the Morsbach spa park and walk through it back to the town hall.
10- Circular hike to the Unnenberg Tower and the Genkeltalsperre
The A2 circular hiking trail leads through the Ratemicke into the forest. After passing through the forest, the path meets Dannenberger Straße, which you now follow to Unnenberg. The village of Unnenberg belongs to Gummersbach, while the top of the mountain of the same name is already on Marienheider Grund. The Unnenberg (506m) is one of the most famous mountains in the Oberbergisches Land.
There is a restaurant on the Unnenberg (good for refreshments) and when it is open, the observation tower is also accessible. From the 22m high Unnenberg Tower you have a beautiful panoramic view over the Oberbergisches Land and into the Sauerland. From Unnenberg the A 2 heads north via the small access road. You come to the country road and from here you hike through the forest down to the Genkeltalsperre. Water sports are therefore prohibited and it is correspondingly quiet on the lake, which is beautifully surrounded by forest.
We accompany the southern part of the Genkeltalsperre on our circular hike and then follow the Genkel downwards towards the Aggertalsperre. There are opportunities to stop off here both in Lantenbach and in neighboring Bredenbruch.
Did our article help you? Or do you have questions or suggestions about our topic? Please feel free to leave your comment below. We welcome your questions, criticisms and comments and we will be happy to answer them.
