Discover Solingen: Heathland, Hiking Trails and Cycling Routes

With the Ohligser Heide, Solingen reveals a side of nature that goes far beyond the image of open heathland. The nature reserve is located in Solingen and covers 147.24 hectares. Its open, species-rich habitats include wet and dry heathland; it also features carr and birch bog forests shaped by waterlogging and, in some areas, flowing water. As a result, open spaces and wet woodland habitats are equally characteristic of the Ohligser Heide landscape. If you are interested in nature, this is a concrete example of how different habitats come together in a protected area.

The Ohligser Heide is one of the last remaining heathland bog areas on the right bank of the Rhine’s heathland terrace. Its outstanding importance is due to numerous plant communities and species of heathland bogs, carr forests and nutrient-poor waters that are threatened across the state. For nature enthusiasts, the heath is therefore more than an open landscape: bog forests and nutrient-poor waters are also among the named habitats whose species and plant communities are threatened.

Hiking the Klingenpfad

The Klingenpfad is a 75-kilometre hiking trail that runs around the Solingen city area. It passes through forests and valleys, over hills and by historically significant sites. Nine individually signposted sections, marked in both directions, divide the trail. When planning your hike, you therefore need not focus solely on the total length: the individual sections give you a practical framework for combining landscapes, historic sites and your preferred hiking stage.

On foot or by bike along the Korkenziehertrasse

At eleven kilometres, the Korkenziehertrasse is considerably shorter. It is a walking and cycling route that runs from the Haan town boundary via Gräfrath, Wald and Mitte to Südpark. The route is car-free and almost entirely flat. This gives it a different character from the Klingenpfad, whose description includes forests, valleys, hills and historically significant sites. The Korkenziehertrasse and the Bergbahntrasse branch also connect Solingen to the Bergischer Panorama-Radweg. If you are planning a cycling trip, you can include this regional connection in your route options.

When comparing the two routes, both length and type of trail therefore matter: the Klingenpfad is the longer hiking route, with nine signposted sections; the Korkenziehertrasse is an eleven-kilometre walking and cycling route that is almost entirely flat. These differences can help you plan your day around your preferred activity and the route profile.

Choose the right accommodation for your stay

Will your trip focus mainly on hiking the Klingenpfad, walking or cycling along the almost entirely flat route, or exploring the natural features of the Ohligser Heide? Your answer gives you a useful starting point for choosing a location, without trying to cram the different experiences into a single outing. If you are travelling together, it is best to agree on your priorities before searching, so that your choice reflects your actual plans.

Discover more destinations: Dortmund, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Bonn, Herne, Essen, Remscheid, Bochum, Oberhausen.

Go to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.