Cycle and hike on the route of the Samba Express
The Sambatrasse owes its name to its curvy course. It winds its way from the valley up to the Wuppertal hills in Cronenberg – through green areas and right through the forest.
Built in 1891 and closed in 1988, this former railway line is a quiet, 10-kilometre-long footpath and cycle path in the heart of Wuppertal. Along the route, information boards tell the story of this former rail link.
All things wild at the Green Zoo Wuppertal
Shortly after the start in Elberfeld, you pass the highlight of the Sambatrasse: a bridge over the Green Zoo Wuppertal. From here, you have a fantastic view into the outdoor enclosures of the lions and Siberian tigers.
The route then winds its way through an extensive forest area to the southern heights of the city climbing continuously for about 6 kilometres at a gradient of around 2%. But: The higher you get, the better the view into the distance!
Good news: The rest of the route to Cronenberg is completely flat.
From the railway line to the Bergisch Panoramic Cycle and Hiking Trail
The idea to transform the Sambatrasse into a cycle path and footpath was born at the end of the 1980s. But it wasn’t until the Regional 2006 initiative that this project, which was so important for leisure and recreation, could be completed with support from the state of Nord Rhine-Westphalia.The route is suitable for pedestrians, Nordic walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.