Step back in time on a historic long-distance trail – the Bergische Weg

The Bergische Weg starts in the urban area of Essen, but already in the middle of the countryside. So you can travel comfortably by train and then take the S-Bahn to the Essen-Stadtwald stop in the south. From there, the route to the starting point of the long-distance hiking trail on the Baldeneyer… read more

The second stage first leads you down into the Hesper Valley, and then immediately ascends again and hikes via Rottberg to the next valley, through which the Eselsieper Bach flows. This motif remains with you until you reach the stage destination: a hill follows each valley.



Shortly before Neviges you… read more

On this day there is a reunion with the Düssel. Its picturesque watercourse accompanies you for several kilometers. At almost 26 kilometers, the route is one of the longer on the Bergisches Weg. But their turns allow for many shortcuts.



With a clear view you hike from Düssel over meadows and fields past… read more

On the steep slopes to the left and right of the Wupper, this stage brings together a few meters in altitude and many fantastic views. You leave Graefrath to the east. Through a wonderful landscape you hike a wooded slope down to the Wupper, which you cross immediately to climb on the other side uphill… read more

This stage is in no way inferior to the last - no, with a few kilometers more it even goes a little further. So the motto is: start early and don't worry, the many kilometers don't seem that long on the varied route.



The first ten kilometers lead you along the wonderful paths high above the Wupper. A… read more

As soon as you leave Altenberg, you have already reached the first stream of the day: The Pfengstbach starts today, which leads you up to Scheuren. Then you cross the Scherfbachtal and hike to the Eikamper Höhe with a view over the Rhine Valley.



Soon you will reach Herrenstrunden, which with its cafés… read more

On this stage you have a long foray through the Königsforst - a leisurely half-day hike with a few meters of altitude. From Bensberg you climb through the Milchborntal up to a couple of ponds and then cross the Moitzfeld district.



Behind the bridge over the A4 you dive into the extensive Königsforst… read more

Even on stage 8 it remains wooded and many wonderful paths await you. You hike down to the banks of the Sülz, where a look into the village of Hoffnungsthal with its beautiful church and half-timbered houses is worthwhile. Then it goes uphill on the other side of the river to the Lüderich, where the… read more

Winding paths through lonely valleys bring you to Much on this day. The steepest part of the ninth stage is done right at the beginning while you climb out of the Aggertal. Alternating across meadows and through small forests you will find your way into the picturesque Naafbachtal.



An idyllic section… read more

On stage 10, the sparsely populated Wahnbachtal is your guide. You walk right on the water, but also high above the valley. So at the end of the day with many scattered climbs, a few meters in altitude come together.



From Much it goes straight south through a forest. Then you climb a bit up the slopes… read more

The eleventh stage promises wonderful views and wonderful paths along the Wahnbach dam, which you hike in its entire length. The route begins on rather wide paths and then changes to narrow paths.



It is only about one kilometer from Neunkirchen to the dam. Its entire bank is wooded, which makes the views… read more

Many a rocky path joins the leisurely forest paths on this day. In good weather you can look forward to a distant view of the Siebengebirge and the Eifel. The stage begins with a descent to the banks of the Bröl, which you then follow a little to the northeast.



Then it goes uphill through a forest where… read more

You leave the once fortified core of Blankenberg through the Katharinentor and then follow the city wall until you dive into a forest. Here it goes on a beautiful path along the Ahrenbach until you hike over an elevation to Uckerath, which you cross immediately.



On the other side of the village, the terrain… read more

As the grand finale of the Bergisches Weg, you can once again enjoy beautiful views over the Bergisches Land on this stage. And since the best views are known to be higher up, this goes hand in hand with a few meters of altitude - but it's really worth it.



At the beginning the slope is moderate uphill… read more