Balkantrasse von Wuppertal ins Rheintal – Auf Bahntrassen durchs Bergische Land

All in all, a nice tour that is still feasible for seniors with e-bikes. From Leverkusen train station, first in the valley from Dhünn and Wupper to Opladen. From there to Lennep, the tour continues with a gentle ascent on a wide, disused railway line (so-called Balkan terrace). The route is largely shaded by trees, so it is particularly useful on hot days in summer. In Wermelskirchen some opportunities to stop for a break. Different sections of the route from Lennep to Oberbarmen. From Oberbarmen station you can return by train to Leverkusen station.

I adapted this tour for myself. The original route is a bit longer, but in my opinion it includes pointless loops in some places. Despite this, the tour goes from station to station, namely from Wuppertal-Oberbarmen to Leverkusen Mitte. The Balkantrasse is really easy to ride, sometimes you roll at almost 25 km/h without pedaling, how cool is that!🤣 The route is also easy to ride in midsummer, as there are usually lots of trees lining the route. There are benches at numerous places to sit or have a picnic. Otherwise, there are also cafes or supermarkets where you can get supplies. Highly recommended! Tour template: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/user/1112026894847

Don't be surprised that the Balkantrasse leads from Oberbarmen through residential areas and from Remscheid along the old railway line. A short break at the Webergrill restaurant is worthwhile, but check the opening days beforehand. Otherwise, there are other restaurants not far from the train station in the beautiful old town.

Everywhere it is described that the Balkan railway line runs from Leverkusen to Wuppertal, which is not true at all. The railway line begins in Opladen at the train station and ends in Lennep at the train station, then to Wuppertall it only goes through the city of Remscheid and further on side roads with little traffic to Wuppertal.

From Wuppertal-Langerfeld it first went through the Marscheider Bachtal and then always uphill to just before Lennep with its historic village center with typical Bergisch buildings. Then via the Balkan route to Opladen and the Wupperweg to the mouth of the Rhine. We followed the Rhine cycle path to Monheim and then took the Piwipper Böötchen to the other side of the Rhine. Finally we reached the goal of the day, the fortress of Zons.

Unfortunately strayed from the route in Braunsberg, beer garden in Burscheid Old station only v. Open Thu-Sun

Today we went from Vierkanthof to the Wuppertal suspension railway, from there on Nordbahnstraße and then across to the Balkan route to Lennep. On the Balkan route we continued to the Panorama route to Leverkusen. From Leverkusen we took the train back to Düsseldorf Oberbilk.

For the first time in a long time we have planned a more mountainous tour. The mountains are so beautiful! And so we gratefully resorted to the familiar Balkan route - but this time all the way to beautiful Lennep. Until the 1950s, this was an important railway junction with 39 (!) tracks and, in contrast to similar places (Löhne in OWL, Altenbeken near Paderborn), it was also an important city. - We can highly recommend the descent through the Marscheider Bachtal. Fantastic views on a paved side road. Then Wuppertal completely - from Langenfeld via Barmen to Vohwinkel, mostly via the Nordbahntrasse. This railway line is so different. Half of Wuppertal makes its "passagiata" here on Sundays, while cycling remains peaceful. Doll. Conclusion: Route cycling is also fun for "advanced" 😉!