Heimatweg (Homeland Trail) in Wipperfürth (Foray #3) – Bergisches Land Nature Park

With spring-like temperatures and glorious sunshine, I set off to explore the Bergisches Land Trail #3. The starting and finishing point is the market square in Wipperfürth, perhaps familiar to some from the Bergisches Land 50 hiking trail, around which several inviting restaurants and cafes are located. Along the way, you'll find plenty of information about what makes the Bergisches Land region so special. The highlight of this tour for me was definitely the Neyetalsperre dam, but I also enjoyed the expansive fields and meadows with their sometimes fantastic panoramic views.

From the market square in Wipperfürth it goes about 2.5 km uphill, past the Sonnenschein farm to the Ommer Kreuz. The path leads over the Blumberger Heide into the Neyebachtal and to the Neyetalsperre. We return to Wipperfürth via Hasselblick and Harhausen. SUNSHINE The farm is located in the north of Wipperfürth, 600 m from the Neyetalsperre. The Langenbick flows into the Neye in the west and the Berghofer Bach flows into the Wupper in the east. In 1484 the court was mentioned for the first time under the name “Sonnenschyn” in church accounts of the Protestant parish of Hückeswagen. At Hof Sonnenschein there is a wayside shrine from 1724 that is a listed building. OMMER CROSS To the north of the Sonnenschein farm is the listed “Ommer Kreuz” from 1891. Originally the cross probably stood in Kausemannsbirken, which had to give way to the construction of the Neyetalsperre. Since the Ommer Cross has been the destination of the procession on the first Saturday after the Feast of the Sacred Heart since 1668, there must have been a predecessor at this location. The picturesque path leads past forests and meadows. You can also see three church towers from the path at the Ommer Cross, the spiers of St. Agatha in Agathaberg, of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist in Kreuzberg and the onion dome of the Immaculate Conception Church in Egen. NEYETAL LOCK It's quiet at the Neye Dam. You can enjoy the view of the water and the tranquility. The trees rustle in the wind and the water glitters. A green wooden boat rocks gently in the water, moored to a small white buoy. It seems as if it was placed there specifically for idyllic photos. Walking over the dam wall is an experience. Two towers, the so-called pusher houses, stand directly on the wall in the water. After crossing the dam wall, turn directly left onto the circular path.

Where the forests are still rustling.....While the X-ray trail is still waiting to be completed, today, with the weather forecast being reasonably good, I decided to take the "home route" of the forays. In the BS chronology he is number 3. Number 1 would have suited him better. Although the lead song is the Bergisches Heimatlied, this is actually just a hook, as the tour actually only deals with the topic marginally. In return, the tour offers a total of 7 tables with even more appetizers for further tours in the Bergisches Land and thus also further Bergisch forays. At least halfway along the route there is an audio station waiting for the hiker. You can turn on the jukebox using your own arms and hear three variations and verses. The selection ranges from choral singing to a rock version to the tearjerker Willy Schneider. It is pleasing that the station is still fully functional 11 years after it was built. A nice stroll through the city begins and ends, then a nice hiking trail awaits you. Sometimes he's active in sports, sometimes he's a bit boring. Overall, the foray number is a safe bet without tipping over afterwards. sequel follows

Shortly before sunrise 🌞 we drove to the market square in Wipperfürth. This is where the path from the series "Bergische Streifzüge" begins with number 3: the home path. After a short search we found the hiking sign and were initially guided out of Wipperfürth. After about 4-5 km you reach the Neyetalsperre. The dam is crossed and we continue to the Neye pond (unfortunately lost the way here for a moment). After a slight ascent you reach the hill with the monuments again. From here you will be taken back to the starting point. The tour offers a lot of varied paths and lots of information on the boards. The Neye is also very nice and the panoramic views that can be admired again and again.

Roughly corresponds to the Heimatweg excursion with a detour to the Hansecafe Wipperfürth

https://www.bergisches-wanderland.de/bergische-streifzuege/alle-streifzuege/3-heimatweg-wipperfuerth-111-km

"Even the longest journey begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu. And he was right, today, my dears, we are taking Route 3, the way home to Wipperfürth. "Where the forests still rustle, the nightingale sings, the mountains tower high, the anvil clangs..." Thus begins the Bergisches Heimatlied, whose verses accompany the hiker on his "journey home." Wipperfürth lies in the heart of the Bergisches Land region. The Wupper River, which gives the city its name, flows through the city. Over the centuries, the city has been completely or partially destroyed by fires. Only a few houses on the market square escaped the last major city fire in 1795. Through the city center and across the market square, where outdoor restaurants were now busy again, the path first led in a small loop past the former Franciscan monastery and then back down to the Wupper River, which we now followed for a short distance. A climb through open meadows took us up to Hasselblick and soon after, we reached the Neye Dam, beautifully situated in the forest. Yes, my dears, we're still on our way home. The weather has changed; it's only raining now, thank goodness it's not storming... Every city needs its dams, which is why the Neyy Dam was built in 1908 as a drinking water reservoir for Remscheid. It's raining nonstop, but it's truly magical. Emcio fell asleep in such a romantic rain. At the end of our adventure, there are warm fries and a kebab 😂😂👍🌞 See you on the trail, my dears. https://youtu.be/gOIKFGgTuYU?si=NTzR_V0fnm9zoDn7

https://www.bergisches-wanderland.de/bergische-streifzuege/alle-streifzuege/3-heimatweg-wipperfuerth-111-km