Wermelskirchen: Reservoir, Hiking Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Wermelskirchen
Wermelskirchen offers a variety of reasons to visit: trails through woodland and valley landscapes, the Great Dhünn Reservoir and local culture. When planning your trip, you can choose between longer hiking routes, a specific cycling tour and historic buildings. Exhibitions, crafts and the Wermelskirchen Autumn Fair are also part of the local scene.
Nature around the Great Dhünn Reservoir
The Great Dhünn Reservoir lies within the Wermelskirchen districts of Dhünn and Dabringhausen: the inlet is in Dhünn, and the dam is in Dabringhausen. It is Germany’s second-largest drinking water reservoir. The dam in Dabringhausen-Lindscheid is 66 metres high and 400 metres long. These dimensions make the structure a striking feature of the landscape. Water sports are not permitted at the reservoir.
The 40-kilometre Reservoir Trail can be walked in its entirety around the Great Dhünn Reservoir all year round. This makes the loop a standalone option for anyone who wants to plan a hike around the reservoir. The restriction on water sports still applies: the trail is intended for hiking, and water sports are not allowed at the reservoir.
Hiking and Cycling
Wermelskirchen has more than 250 kilometres of marked hiking trails. They pass through landscapes of streams, valleys, forests and small farming communities. One specific route is the Eifgenbach Trail, also known as Route No. 5: it is 14.89 kilometres long and rated moderate. It runs mainly along natural forest paths through the Eifgen Valley. It is shorter than the 40-kilometre Reservoir Trail; the two routes also differ in their landscapes and difficulty ratings.
From March to October, the Bergisches Land Hiking Bus runs between Odenthal and Wermelskirchen. It lets you combine the Eifgenbach Trail with a bus ride for either the outward or return journey. If you plan this combination, check the current timetable in advance.
For a cycling tour, there is a 16-kilometre route to the picturesque Sengbach Reservoir. The return to Wermelskirchen town centre follows the disused Balkantrasse railway line. Detours to Burg Castle and Müngsten Bridge are possible. So, alongside the hiking trails, you can choose a described cycling route and optional detours as different elements of your trip plan.
Architecture, Exhibitions and Crafts
Wermelskirchen’s town church brings together architectural features from different periods: a medieval Romanesque tower, a Baroque onion dome from the second half of the 18th century, and a nave in the Prussian Neoclassical style of the mid-19th century. The building offers a chance to see different architectural periods side by side.
Historic townhouses at Eich 6/8 host a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Another cultural venue is the Markt 10 workshop, located in the historic building at Markt 10. Cushions, clothing and jewellery are still made there. Check before visiting to find out whether the workshop is open.
Wermelskirchen Autumn Fair
The Wermelskirchen Autumn Fair dates back to a church consecration festival held in 1595. Today, it is celebrated with a general market on the last weekend of August. If you want to plan your trip around this event, you can add it as a date in your itinerary and check the latest event dates.
Discover more destinations: Overath, Leichlingen, Odenthal, Bergisch Gladbach, Burscheid, Rösrath, Kürten
For the broader travel overview: Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
