Remscheid-Lennep – Leverkusen-Opladen

From the hilly landscapes of the Bergisches Land to the lowlands of the Rhine on the Balkan route. The name is a reminder of the Balkan Express, as the former railway line between Leverkusen-Opladen and Remscheid-Lennep was commonly known.

Remscheid-Lennep railway station is located on the edge of the historic town centre with its almost circular medieval layout and heritage-listed buildings. For those thirsty for knowledge, it is worth making a detour to the German X-ray Museum. Along the former railway line, you can cycle through the countryside without steep inclines or traffic – the surroundings alternate between urban life and rural charm. Wermelskirchen is the only place where the route takes you through the town centre, but only on roads without much traffic. Milestones on the 28-kilometre route remind us of the railway’s past, with many resting spots and restaurants to discover.

The last 10 kilometres from Burscheid to Leverkusen-Opladen take you steadily downhill. If the weather is good, you can even see as far as Cologne in certain places.