Dhünnweg (Dhünn Trail)

The Dhünn is the largest tributary of the Wupper; it originates in the Bergisches Land and, together with the Wupper, flows into the Rhine near Leverkusen. The Dhünnweg trail runs upstream from Leverkusen along the beautiful little Dhünn River to the Große Dhünn Dam.

After leaving Neulandpark, you’ll ride along the “Alleedhünn,” past the city park and the BayArena, to the Dhünn Park landscape, with Morsbroich Castle at its center.
Continuing along the Dhünn and through the center of Leverkusen-Schlebusch, you’ll leave the urban area behind and head toward Odenthal, passing the former Osenau weir. Riding past the parish church of St. Pankratius, you’ll head upstream and catch a glimpse of Strauweiler Castle in the distance.

Before you reach the Altenberg monastery complex, you’ll find the somewhat hidden ruins of the ancestral castle of the Counts of Berg—and thus the cradle of the Bergisches Land—at the foot of the Bülsberg. In Altenberg, visit the cathedral, which features the largest stained-glass window north of the Alps, or the German Fairy Tale Forest, and stop for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafés.

Continuing along the Dhünn, the trail leads you to Schöllerhof. Here, you’ll “experience” the beautiful Helenental valley with traces of the former gunpowder mills, passing by Maria in der Aue, until you reach the dam of the Große Dhünntalsperre. Here, enjoy the view of Germany’s second-largest drinking water reservoir and the surrounding nature reserve.