hiking stages

priority: Extremely varied stage, moderately difficult with some moderate climbs. The stage should not be underestimated due to its length.

Character: Along the Düssel river, the path leads to the historic Gruiten village with its typical Bergisch architecture. From there it goes through idyllic valleys, over pastures and fields in the direction of Düsselquelle.

Tip:: Anyone interested in geology will be familiar with the Tillmannsdorfer Fold in Wülfrath, where layers of rock that are millions of years old come to light. And the geological history of the region is also explained on the mineral trail at the Doctor's House in Gruiten.

priority: Easy to moderate stage with some steep climbs that are tough. Also feasible as a half-day stage at a brisk pace.

Character: The route goes up and down through the region, which is characterized by limestone mining, up to one of the highest points in the whole neanderland STEIGs. It goes past the source of the Düssel, over a high mountain to the former Hardenberg Castle, until the stage ends in Neviges, where the Mariendom, one of the largest modern religious buildings, awaits the hikers.

priority: Not an easy, but short stage including a strong final climb with a mountain finish.

Character: Through the near-natural and romantic Windrath valley, you will pass meadows and fields, which are cultivated by farmers largely according to the criteria of organic farming. Some courtyards have cozy cafés where hikers can fortify themselves with regionally produced specialties.

Tip:: At the Forellenhof Bieker in Velbert-Neviges you can fish for yourself or buy smoked fish.

priority: Moderately difficult stage with varied ups and downs, sometimes with short but crisp climbs and paths on steep slopes. Not to be underestimated because of the length and the altitude difference.

Character: The Bergische and Elfringhauser Schweiz have their names for a reason: The landscape on the border between Rhineland and Westphalia with its lush meadows, deep valleys and fantastic panoramas is actually reminiscent of the Alps. In the northern section, it's easy going through the Felderbachtal nature reserve.

Tip:: Velbert-Langenberg is not only known for the transmission tower, but also for its large number of antiquarian bookshops: you can find many a "treasure" in the book town of Langenberg.

priority: Although most of the altitude difference can be overcome on this moderately difficult stage, the climbs are all moderate.

Character: The Velbert area was already popular with hikers at the beginning of the 19th century due to its varied landscape. On the northern edge of the neanderlandIf visibility is good, you can expect wide views all the way to the Ruhr area.

Tip:: In the German lock- and fittings Museum in Velbert you can get to know the centuries-old tradition of Velbert's "key industry".

priority: Moderate stage that starts moderately but later has some challenging climbs.

Character: Hike between great creek valley experiences and high views. Impressive railway bridge structures from the heyday of industrialization can be admired from below. You hike through the valleys on dreamy, narrow paths.

Tip:: In the MuseumsLandschaft Abtsküche in Heiligenhaus, three museums await you at one stroke: a local history museum, a fire brigade museum and a forestry museum.

priority: Moderately difficult stage that begins with sporty climbs, but runs on the last kilometers almost on a level above the Ruhr valley.

Character: Narrow paths, great forests and streams alternate on this stage. It goes past historic mills and castles. Wildly romantic streams and paddocks line the path.

Tip:: The Kettwiger See is the smallest in the chain of Ruhr reservoirs and, with its run-of-river power station and lock, is part of the Industrial Heritage Route.

priority: Varied stage that is easy to hike despite its length, as there are no noticeable inclines.

Character: Through the forests in the north of the neanderlandIt goes along beautiful streams and lakes. The highway and airport encounters on the route are also rich in contrast and interesting. Here you can experience the traffic routes from a different perspective.

Tip:: The spring slope in the Lintorfer Mark near Mülheim an der Ruhr is a diversely structured forest slope and offers a habitat for rare animal and plant species.

priority: Easy stage with a few moderate climbs.

Character: This very varied stage leads over heights on both sides of the Schwarzbach and opens up great far-reaching views. Riding stables, farm cafés and a mill line the path and invite you to take a break.

Tip:: The recreation park Volkardey in Ratingen is a spacious park with lakes, cycling and walking paths as well as an informative eco-trail.

priority: Very varied, moderately difficult stage with few noticeable climbs.

Character: Wide fields, narrow and romantic brook valleys and wild forests characterize this eventful route. The Stindertal with its alluvial forest of poplars and alders and the narrow paths is a real highlight of this stage.

Tip:: Friends of English park art will get their money's worth in the outdoor area of ​​Haus Morp, the Morp Park, which is under landscape protection, at the end of the stage

priority: Very varied, easy stage. Only at the beginning a noticeable incline.

Character: Great distant views, streams, forests and many lakes characterize this hike. The species-rich riparian regions provide habitats for many animals and plants. On the heights of the Düsselaue, the path opens up long-distance views as far as Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Tip:: At Unterbacher See, a local recreation area on the city border with Düsseldorf, you can not only fortify yourself after the hike, but also sail, surf or play mini golf.

priority: Varied, easy stage, with practically no noticeable gradients.

Character: While hiking through the forests in the west of the neanderlandGreat stream passages await you. The narrow paths in the Ittertal and the enchanted forests of the Düsseldorf city forest as well as the Benrath and Garath forests make the proximity to the big city forgotten.

Tip:: The public part of the outdoor grounds of Garath Castle, dating back to the 18th century, can be freely explored.

priority: Varied, easy stage, with practically no noticeable gradients, with the lowest point of the whole neanderland STEIGs.

Character: The stage leads through different and primeval landscapes: through the natural Monheimer Auenwald, which is still regularly inundated by the Rhine floods, along the promenade of Father Rhine and through the Monheimer Rheinbogen to the city limits of Leverkusen.

Tip:: You can explore the old town of Monheim am Rhein along the MonChronik on the blue tracks of the Gänseliesel. The Piwipper Böötchen will also take you from one side of the Rhine to the other if you wish.

priority: Interesting and very easy stage with a few meters of altitude that are hardly noticeable.

Character: The wide, flat stage is characterized by beautiful paths along many lakes, agriculture and the Wupperaue. Some of the lakes were created by the gravel quarrying that shaped the region and still shapes it today.

Tip:: Mammals, reptiles and birds can be observed in the small, friendly Reuschenberg Wildlife Park in Leverkusen. 

priority: Very varied, not very easy stage. Sometimes it's very short, but steep uphill, sometimes leisurely through extensive landscapes.

Character: The path leads from flat, wide heathland through the Further Moor and on to the Leichlinger Sandberge, which await you with Mediterranean-style pine trees. The stage leads through forests and across meadows to Solingen, the town of Klingen.

Tip:: The imposing moated castle Haus Graven in Langenfeld from the 17th century houses an exhibition and culture forum. The “Burgstube” café is also located in the castle grounds.

priority: Interesting, varied and easy stage.

Character: This stage leads through the Ohligser Heide, in which, in addition to wet heathland, moorland and swamp forest, there is also a natural outdoor pool that invites you to cool off in summer. Romantic forest lakes and babbling brooks line the path in the Hilden city forest.

Tip:: You can enjoy a beautiful view of Hilden from the 13 meter high observation tower on the Jaberg.

priority: Varied, moderately difficult stage with noticeable but manageable climbs.

Character: The stage shaped by the Ittertal runs over many beautiful paths and leads through a long valley with a high adventure value. Along the route there are Kotten, whose water wheels once powered hammer mills, grindstones and bellows of the forge for the production of metal goods.