Railway lines & industrial heritage – Cycling through the Bergisches Land

The railway lines through the Bergisches Land were synonymous with relaxed travel in times gone by. Today, this idea is still very much alive although the trains have long since disappeared. The lines along which passenger and freight trains would once have travelled have been converted into a network of more than 136 miles (220 km) of cycle paths. The well-maintained paths, which are almost entirely flat, lead through wonderful green countryside. You can enjoy a panoramic ride through the Bergisches Land in the west of Germany with no challenging climbs standing in your way.

In this Collection, our five routes take you on a journey through railway history and introduce you to the panoramic cycle paths that connect the Bergisches Land with the southern Ruhr area and the Sauerland. You cross numerous tunnels, the longest measuring 2,375 feet (274 m), and several viaducts which tower up to 131 feet (40 m). These engineering masterpieces bear witness to the railways’ pioneering construction. As a cyclist, you are the main beneficiary of these impressive structures today.

You will not only encounter industrial and railway relics on your journey through the Bergisches Land. Several reservoirs offer spectacular panoramas and dense forests provide welcome shade during your ride. The region also offers an abundance of cultural history; such as the Schloss Burg in Solingen, the largest rebuilt castle complex in western Germany. If you have a sweet tooth, you should try the famous Bergische waffles or Bergische Kaffeetafel, afternoon coffee served with delicious delicacies.
Even though the train lines have been converted into cycle paths, the start and endpoints of the routes are still easy to reach by train today. Along the Bergische Panorama Cycle Path there is even a bicycle bus that stops at several stations and can transport up to 20 bikes. For more information: dasbergische.de/en/our-topics/active/cycling-in-the-bergisches-land/bergische-fahrradbus-bergisch-bicycle-bus. You can also connect the routes as you wish, divide them into several stages and even ride them in a loop. The best way to do this is to take a look at the Collection map to get a good overview. To get a feel for the mountainous railway lines, take a look at our video: