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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Bergisches Land

Travelling on disused railway lines – cycling through the Rhineland

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Bergisches Land

Travelling on disused railway lines – cycling through the Rhineland

Hard

4.8

(131)

385

riders

Travelling on disused railway lines – cycling through the Rhineland

03:15

49.9km

510m

Cycling

This tour runs almost entirely on disused railway lines - you will first be on the Balkantrasse and then on the Bergisches Panorama cycle path. You will cycle a total of 50 kilometers on traffic-free paths designed only for cyclists. Where trains once drove industrialization, you can now discover breathtaking…

by Radregion Rheinland

Last updated: June 5, 2024

Tips

Includes a segment that goes up or down a series of steps

You may need to carry your bike.

After 49.9 km for 1 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

14.7 km

Waffle break at the Balkantrasse Neuenhaus

Highlight • Cafe

Super delicious fresh waffles, coffee and snacks are offered here on summer Sundays right on the Balkan route. Idyllic place - ideal for a break!

Translated by Google •

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19.7 km

Cafe Wild, Wermelskirchen

Highlight • Cafe

Wermelskirchen is a Bergisch town with a very well-kept city center, here slate and half-timbered architecture determine the beautiful cityscape. There are numerous cafes and restaurants to take a break. …

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22.9 km

Balkantrasse Rail Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

Cycling on the former railway line through the hilly landscape is possible without much effort and therefore also suitable for families. Tunnels, bridges and viaducts still shape the landscape today and make cycling a special experience.

Translated by Google •

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29.4 km

View of the Wuppertalsperre near Karquelle

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Bergische Panorama cycle path goes past it, but be careful, the Wuppertal dam is VERY large. It's not really worth making a detour from here. Either enjoy the view …

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35.3 km

Neye.café

Highlight • Cafe

Along the railway line, it is one of the few rest stops directly on the bike path. The glider airport is directly opposite and within sight. It's worth it!

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42.4 km

The Young Wipper

Highlight • River

At this point the Wipper / Wupper meanders through the landscape.

Translated by Google •

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49.3 km

Marienheide Monastery and Pilgrimage Church

Highlight • Religious Site

Currently being renovated.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

49.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

46.5 km

1.85 km

788 m

489 m

208 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

49.1 km

542 m

205 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (350 m)

Lowest point (60 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 19 July

21°C

11°C

26 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 31, 2024,(Rad-)Bahnrunde im Bergischen

This bike tour follows the motto "railway". You travel by regional train from Cologne Central Station to Marienheide, the starting point of the tour. After a few meters you are already on the former Wippertalbahn, which has been converted into an excellent cycle path. On the way you will come across highlights such as former railway tunnels, which promise a …

Showing Translation

June 23, 2024,Rheinlandtour Marienheide-Opladen

A brilliant day trip through the Bergisches Land in perfect Sunday weather. The youngest was constantly on the gas so that we caught the bus back just in time.

Showing Translation

July 20, 2024,Wippertalbahn und Balkantrasse-Tour nach Opladen zum Fahrradbus

The tour leads from Marienheide train station to Opladen and is an ideal excursion for a family despite a distance of 50km due to the just 141 meters of elevation. Getting to Marienheide by car from Kierspe takes hardly any time and there is a large car park on site. If you want, you can also get to Marienheide by …

Showing Translation

September 6, 2025,Von Marienheide nach Opladen

If you'd like to ride downhill, this is the perfect place. Take your time exploring the villages. It's definitely worth it. On weekends, a bus with a trailer runs from Opladen to Marienheide and back. If you're taking the train, don't forget your bike ticket, otherwise it'll be really expensive, says Heinz.

Showing Translation

June 19, 2025,Bahntrassenradeln von Marienheide nach L‘feld und dem Bergischen Fahrradbus

A two-hour ride on the Bergisches Fahrradbus from Opladen to Marienheide. Then it was straight onto the Wippertalbahn line and then back to Opladen via the Balkantrasse. Today, I was allowed to take my old KTM with me again, as it was mostly downhill.

Showing Translation

May 23, 2025,Bäche und Bahnen #1

Weeks of drought. The garden desperately needs water. As we set off on our tour from Leverkusen to Paderborn at the end of May, the long-awaited rain finally arrived. Along with the somewhat delayed Ice Saints.

No matter: Pack warm clothes and rain gear, and off we go.

Showing Translation

August 11, 2024,Etappe 1: Langenfeld - Marienheide über Balkantrasse und Wippertalbahn

Off to the Bergisches Land! We have put together a tour ourselves and are now excited to see what awaits us. We saw a few tricky paths in the Trail View photos, but we want to give it a try. At 28 degrees, we are constantly uphill on the thankfully shady Balkantrasse to Bergisch Born. There we turn onto the …

Showing Translation

August 14, 2020

This tour runs almost entirely on disused railway lines - you will first be on the Balkantrasse and then on the Bergisches Panorama cycle path. You will cycle a total of 50 kilometers on traffic-free paths designed only for cyclists. Where trains once drove industrialization, you can now discover breathtaking

Translated by Google •

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Travelling on disused railway lines – cycling through the Rhineland

Waffle break at the Balkantrasse Neuenhaus

Cafe Wild, Wermelskirchen

Balkantrasse Rail Trail

View of the Wuppertalsperre near Karquelle

Neye.café

The Young Wipper

Marienheide Monastery and Pilgrimage Church

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