Solingen hiking trail: Parade Trails

Forest, water and slopes down to the Wupper: Scenic circular walk to the Sengbach reservoir
The 5 kilometre circular walk takes you along three Bergisch parade trails: the Bergische Weg, the Klingenpfad and the Burger Brezelweg. You can expect fantastic views of the picturesque Sengbach reservoir, Schloss Burg and Remscheid in the distance. Ahead of you are mostly well-maintained hiking trails. However, depending on the weather, it can get very muddy underfoot - so good footwear is a must. Especially since there are also some ups and downs to negotiate (approx. 130 metres above sea level).
Start at the Glüder walkers’ car park
The starting point is the Glüder walkers' car park at the Wupper Bridge in Solingen Glüder. You can get there on the Balkhauser Weg from Solingen or Glüderstraße from Leichlingen-Witzhelden. There are some parking spaces at the Wupper Bridge. There is more parking at the Glüder miniature golf course on the other side of the Wupper. The fee to park there is 2 euros a day. Parking is free for visitors to the miniature golf course and the Glüder Grill.
Keep to the Klingenpfad
Start on the Strohn road that goes to the animal shelter and the waterworks. Head down the road just a little way before turning sharp right at the end of the crash barrier. Then follow the Klingenpfad “S” and “A1” hiking trail. Cross the Hammersbach on two wooden bridges and continue uphill on the path. At the trail crossroads at the top, turn left at a bend and continue along the Klingenpfad “S” and the “A1” trail. Head uphill ignoring a fork to left and follow the hiking signs “S” and “A1” further up.
Fantastic views over the reservoir wall
After a while, head towards a fork and follow the trail, which is now a paved road, down to the left. Soon you will see the imposing wall of the Sengbach reservoir - an ideal place to take a photo. Cross the reservoir wall casting a look into the dizzying depths. At the end of the dam you reach a red and white barrier fence. The path forks after it. Take the fork up to the right and notice the orange markings of the Bergische Weg.
Continue on the Bergische Weg and the Brezelweg - again with fantastic views
At the top, join the wide Höhrather Weg and the well-marked Bergische Weg. Follow this to the right in the direction of Schloss Burg. On the left, there is a wonderful view into the distance of the majestic castle and the Bergisch city of Remscheid. After a few hundred metres, look out for the next crossroads. The signs are not very clear. Pass a red and white gate on the left. The trail branches off to the left just after the gate. Turn immediately left a second time, leaving the Bergische Weg, which leads more steeply down to the right. Follow the left hiking trail marked “A4” and circled “B” (for Burger Brezelweg) that leads gently downhill. The markings a few metres earlier on a tree on the right are easy to miss.
From the slopes of the Wupper back to the Wupper valley
Walk straight on down and after a while the Unterburg sewage treatment plant on the Wupper comes into view on the right below. The route soon joins the wide Landrat-Lucas-Weg. Continue along the wide path to the left, but leave it again about 100 metres further on and follow the Brezelweg to the right down towards the quiet tributary of the Wupper.
Once you reach the isolated Waldhaus Strohn on the left in the forest, you can make a short detour to the right over the bridge to the animal shelter. However, the route continues straight ahead on the road that passes the waterworks (signposted cycle path, A4 and B). Walk along the road following the Wupper downstream back to the starting point.
Directions
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: “Glüder” bus stop, bus line 252 (Solingen “Graf-Wilhelm-Platz” – Leichlingen Witzhelden bus station). NB: line 252 operates only on weekdays (Monday-Friday).
Parking: “Glüder” walkers’ car park, can be reached from Solingen on Balkhauser Weg and from Leichlingen Witzhelden on Glüderstraße. More parking is available at the nearby miniature golf course at a cost of €2 per day.