Wermelskirchen: Reservoir, Hiking Trails and Local Culture

Reservoir and Trails Through the Countryside

The Große Dhünn Reservoir is Germany’s second-largest drinking-water reservoir. It lies within the area of Wermelskirchen’s districts of Dhünn, at the inlet, and Dabringhausen, at the dam. In Dabringhausen-Lindscheid, the dam is 66 meters high and 400 meters long. The 40-kilometer reservoir trail can be walked in its entirety around the Große Dhünn Reservoir year-round. Water sports are not permitted there, making the reservoir a destination for taking in the waterside scenery and for a circular hike, not for water sports.

Wermelskirchen offers more than 250 kilometers of marked hiking trails. They pass through countryside with streams, valleys, forests and small farmsteads. The Eifgenbach Trail runs mainly along natural forest paths through the Eifgen Valley. It is 14.89 kilometers long and rated moderate. By comparison, the reservoir trail is considerably longer at 40 kilometers and runs all the way around the body of water. The different lengths and the Eifgenbach Trail’s difficulty rating give you concrete points of reference for planning your hiking days.

You can also incorporate the Bergischer WanderBus into a hike on the Eifgenbach Trail: it runs between Odenthal and Wermelskirchen from March to October, making it possible to use the bus for either the outward or return journey. Check the current timetable before planning your trip. Another option is a 16-kilometer cycling tour to the picturesque Sengbach Reservoir and back to the center of Wermelskirchen via the disused Balkantrasse railway line. Detours to Burg Castle and Müngsten Bridge are possible.

Architecture, Exhibitions and the Fair

Wermelskirchen’s town church brings together architectural history from several periods: its tower is medieval Romanesque, the onion dome dates from the second half of the 18th century, and the nave is in the Prussian Neoclassical style of the mid-19th century. The change in architectural styles makes the church an engaging destination for anyone who would also like to explore architecture and history during their stay.

Various exhibitions are held throughout the year in the historic civic houses at Eich 6/8. Another place to get a glimpse of local craftsmanship is the Markt 10 workshop, located in Historic Building 10 at Markt 10. Cushions, clothing and jewelry are still made there. Check before visiting whether the workshop will be operating at that time.

The Wermelskirchen Autumn Fair also combines local life with history: it dates back to a church consecration festival held in 1595 and is now celebrated with a market on the last weekend in August. This gives it a clearly defined place in the calendar alongside the year-round exhibitions at Eich 6/8. If you want to include the fair in your travel plans, use this date as a guide.

Wermelskirchen as a Base for Your Trip

If your main interest is hiking, you can compare the length of the reservoir trail with the difficulty rating of the Eifgenbach Trail; for cycling, the route via the Balkantrasse is another option. Architecture, exhibitions and the autumn fair add to the range of options for different travel interests, without limiting your stay to a single activity.

At a broader level, the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis lies at the crossroads of the greater Cologne area and the scenic Bergisches Land. Rail-based public transport in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis is available in Leichlingen, Bergisch Gladbach, Rösrath and Overath, with connections toward Cologne. This regional overview complements the specific hiking and cycling options in Wermelskirchen and can be taken into account when planning a trip around the district.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Leichlingen, Overath, Rösrath, Bergisch Gladbach, Burscheid, Odenthal, Kürten.

Return to the broader travel overview: Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.