R2 - Along the Ülfe and the Wupper

From the starting point (parking lot Hohenfuhrstraße, town hall, city center, Radevormwald), we turn left into Hohenfuhrstraße, past the town hall and after 400 m turn left into Ülfestraße. At the end of Ülfestraße, turn left onto Ülfe-Wuppertal- Straße, towards Dahlhausen (NO CYCLE PATH AVAILABLE, PLEASE RIDE ON THE RIGHT!). The small Ülfebach accompanies us for a distance of approximately 6 km and leads through the scenic recreational area of the Ülfe valley with the dammed water of the Ülfe baths. The journey continues to the right, yield to oncoming traffic! We reach the village of Dahlhausen and can continue cycling on the cycle path next to the road until Dahlerau. In this area, the so-called Wupper settlements, the textile industry flourished until a few years ago. Of the once three major companies, only the buildings remain today, as well as the still inhabited "workers' settlements" under monument protection. After about 2 km, we turn left off the cycle path (road must be crossed!) and reach the former Dahlerau train station via a slight descent on the left side. Cross the Wupper bridge and turn left onto Wülfingstraße. TIP: turn right, about 300 m, to reach the Wülfing Cloth Museum - worth a visit. From there, the route leads to the end/barrier of Wülfingstraße along the Wupper on a road closed to cars (until the Wilhelmstal district, we are on the Bergische Nature and Museum Route "Road of Labor"). After the second crossing of railway tracks, turn left onto historic cobblestones, towards the former Dahlerau train station. A number of nostalgic railway trains stand on the remaining tracks. Leave the cobblestones and turn left onto Hardtstraße (road must be crossed). Immediately turn right behind the historic railway viaduct onto Hardtstraße. Continue on a wide forest path to the village of Wilhelmstal. The Wupper with its gentle waves along a particularly scenic forest area invites you to linger. At the end of the forest path, in the village of Wilhelmstal, turn left onto an asphalt road towards Wupper Dam. The road ascends below the dam. After about 500 m, turn right and reach the dam crest with a beautiful all-round view. Continue cycling on the dam crest and turn left at the end. The route continues along the Wupper Dam with a fantastic view of the water and landscape. After about 1.5 km, turn left and immediately after another 100 m turn right towards Lennep Waterworks (Panzer Dam) to continue the journey. On this wooded road (only allowed for local traffic), after about 1 km, above a slight incline, you reach the idyllically located Panzer Dam. From here, there are two options for route R2. Either follow the signs, then continue straight ahead, after about 200 m and a steep, short climb, immediately turn left towards Repslöh. The road leads through a small forest and after another small "hill", you reach the hamlet of Repslöh. The second option is to circle the Panzer Dam on solid forest paths. Drive to the right above the dam and after about 250 m, turn left onto an asphalt road and immediately turn left onto a forest path. Follow the fence surrounding the dam. Twice, always at the end of the fence, the forest path continues to the left until after a small climb, the asphalt road is reached again. Turn left here again and on the left side, the Panzer Dam accompanies us for about 400 m to the road leading to the village of Repslöh on the right (extension of approximately 1.6 km). From Repslöh, continue on route R2 to the left along a 1.5 km long gentle descent through the charming Feldbachtal. Here you can enjoy pure nature. At the end of the descent, you reach the forebay and ride along the Wupper Dam until the end of the road, here merge left - road must be crossed. The tour continues on the cycle path on the right side of the road (together with the R1a) over the Wupper bridge, after about 600 m turn right towards Kräwinkel Recreation Park, which you reach after a short, easy climb. From here, a approximately 4 km long cycle path (Bergerhofer Bahn on the former railway line with a slight incline through fields and meadows towards Radevormwald, city center) At the end of the cycle path, the road must be crossed to the left, using the crossing aid. The cycle path continues on the right side along Kaiserstraße and ends at a pedestrian light before merging into the city center. Continue straight on the street (one-way street) to the market square (pedestrian zone). Cross the market square towards Oststraße, where after another 200 m, turn left onto Schützenstraße (dead end). On the other side of the street is the starting point parking lot Rathaus, which is reached via the crossing aid of Hohenfuhrstraße.