HIKE WHERE RIVERS RUSH AND VIEWS ARE SWEEPING
This 5.1 km circular hike from Wipperkotten is a little more challenging due to some inclines on narrow paths. Most of the route is narrow paths, there are two rivers to cross and in between there are some steeper sections. Good footwear is a must. However, your efforts will be rewarded with the quiet, wildly romantic natural landscape and the wonderful views over the Wupper mountains to the Rhine lowlands.
Start at the Wupper, on the Klingenpfad trail
The starting point of this approximately one-and-a-half-hour hike is the car park at Solingen Wipperkotten right on the bank of the river Wupper. Pass the cottage along the fence heading upstream of the Wupper and follow the ‘S’ (for the Klingenpfad) and the ‘A3’ route signs straight ahead. Reach the Hohlenpuhler Weg a little further up and follow it straight ahead. Walk along the road past impressive rocky outcrops before crossing the Hintenmeiswinkler stream over a bridge shortly before the Friedrichsaue greenhouses. There is an information board about the “wild beauty”, the common medlar, on the left-hand side. Leave the road here and follow the narrow “A2” hiking trail which leads quite steeply uphill to the left. Once you reach Friedrichshöhe, pick up the “S” Klingenpfad again after a flatter section. The path branches off to the left and we follow it past a dilapidated timber-frame house and picturesque meadows further up.
Time to take a breather and enjoy the magnificent view of the Wupper mountains
At the top, there is a bench where you can take a short break. The route continues to follow the Klingenpfad to the left. It runs for a while at the top with a magnificent view over the Wupper mountains and as far as the Rhine lowlands. After that the path continues through the forest. At a bench, follow the path straight ahead before crossing the Hintenmeiswinkler again. The path continues upwards through dense evergreen oak forest. Once at the top, walk past fields before reaching Hintenmeiswinkler Weg.
Continue on the Klingenpfad trail
Continue right along the Klingenpfad which turns left onto Widderter Straße shortly after the brick house which is number 94. This leads up to Lacher Straße. Cross straight ahead into Johänntgesbrucher Weg. Head down to where the “S” Klingenpfad branches off to the left into the forest. The path leads downhill before reaching a wide track. Follow it left. Pass the Strupsmühle and keep straight ahead on the beautiful forest path. Ignore first a turn off down to the right and then one up to left.
With a view of the Weinsberger Bach to where it meets the Wupper: back to Wipperkotten
Soon you can hear the Weinsberger Bach babbling on the right below you. At a fork, the path leads back down to the right to Lacher Straße. Head along the road briefly before turning straight ahead and up to the left to Hohlenpuhler Weg. At a crash barrier before a bend, head right past the red and white warning marker onto a footpath that leads steeply down to where the Weinsberger Bach meets the Wupper and back to the starting point, Wipperkotten.
Directions
Wipperkotten is easy to reach by car or bus. The quickest way from Solingen by car is via Leichlinger Straße to the crossroads with Wipperauer Straße which branches off at Haasenmühle. If you are coming by bus, take the Wiedenhoff line 250, which runs regularly between Solingen and Cologne, to the Haasenmühle stop and walk the approximately 500 metres along Wipperauer Straße to the cottage. The bus usually runs hourly even on public holidays, and also into the early evening.
