Wuppertal: Suspension Railway, Trails and Industrial Heritage

Wuppertal is best explored on the move: the suspension railway, outdoor routes and cultural venues connected to the city’s industrial history each offer a different perspective. The railway runs 13.3 kilometres from Oberbarmen to Vohwinkel, with 20 stations along the way. For your stay, this adds up to a distinctive ride, walking and cycling routes, and visits that reveal the city’s history from different angles.

The Suspension Railway and the City’s History

The Wuppertal Suspension Railway connects the eastern and western parts of the city. Official operations began in March 1901. A complete journey between the end stations of Oberbarmen and Vohwinkel takes around 30 minutes—a manageable block of time to factor into your day. If you would like to explore the railway’s history in more detail, the Schwebodrom offers an experience spread across three stations. It opened on 21 October 2023.

The ride and the history can be explored as separate highlights: the route helps you get your bearings between eastern and western Wuppertal, while the Schwebodrom traces the railway’s development. Together, they show how closely this distinctive mode of transport is linked to the city’s history.

Trails for Different Ways of Getting Around

The approximately ten-kilometre Sambatrasse runs from Elberfeld to Cronenberg and is now used as a walking and cycling path. It is suitable for pedestrians, Nordic walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users. This makes it a practical alternative to travelling by suspension railway: here, the focus is on covering a longer distance on foot or by bike, and a range of users are explicitly accommodated.

The Nordbahntrasse has a different character. Its route features gentle gradients, sweeping curves and ravines, as well as tunnels, bridges and viaducts. Blue signs along the route provide information about Wuppertal’s industrial history. Mountain bikes, skateboards, inline skates and scooters can be used on the asphalt. If you want to make your stay active, you can combine these features with an interest in industrial history, without being limited to just one way of getting around.

Cultural Venues and Distinctive Perspectives

The cultural venues also offer a range of different themes. The Green Zoo Wuppertal is both a landscaped park and a zoological garden. Opened in 1881, it is one of Germany’s oldest established zoos. The Engels House explores the life and work of Friedrich Engels, considered Wuppertal’s most famous son.

The Wuppertal Museum of Industrial Culture explores the city’s industrial history across several historically authentic sites. Its offerings include city tours, industrial heritage routes and maps, as well as events, talks and workshops. You can therefore explore the subject through a variety of formats. The Visiodrom in the Wuppertal Gasometer offers another perspective: its five floors house Europe’s largest 360-degree screen.

The Nordpark also combines movement with outdoor exploration. Along the Panorama Trail, a series of highlights and viewpoints stretches from Ehrenhain and the Skywalk in the east to Kakaoplatz in the west. Wuppertal’s trails, culture and striking buildings complement one another, without any single highlight needing to be the focus for every travel group.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

These interests can lead to different plans for your days in Wuppertal. Consider what matters most to your travel group, then look for accommodation for a stay that suits you.

Discover more destinations: Oberhausen, Mülheim An Der Ruhr, Solingen, Bottrop, Duisburg, Bonn, Bochum, Gelsenkirchen.

Back to the regional travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.