Krombacher Island in the Wiehl Reservoir

Wiehl Reservoir natural area
The Wiehl Dam was built between 1966 and 1973 and is a significant drinking water reservoir in the Bergisches Land region. With a surface area of ​​approximately 189 hectares, a capacity of 31,8 million cubic meters, and a length of 6,5 kilometers, it continues to supply over 500.000 people with drinking water. At the same time, the reservoir has become an important habitat for numerous animal and plant species. Cormorants, greylag geese, great crested grebes, kingfishers, and tufted ducks, among others, live in the protected shoreline areas and adjacent forests. Grass snakes, brown hares, roe deer, wild boar, and foxes are also native to the area. This biodiversity is only possible thanks to strict nature conservation measures in the water-related areas, which are therefore off-limits to the public.

Viewpoint on the Bergisches Panorama Trail
The viewpoint is located directly on the Bergischer Panoramasteig, one of the most important long-distance hiking trails in the Bergisches Land region. From here, new perspectives of the Wiehl Dam constantly open up – with respect for the sensitive protected areas reserved for flora and fauna.

The Krombacher Island - symbol of a region
In the middle of the eastern part of the Wiehl Reservoir lies a small, wooded island: Krombacher Island. Located about twenty kilometers west of the brewery, it's familiar to many, even those who have never been there. As a popular image for the Krombacher Brewery, it has been known far beyond the region since the 1990s, for example through advertisements and TV commercials. The aerial photographs made the island a symbol of the wooded landscape surrounding the brewery, of reservoirs, nature, and regional identity. However, those standing at the viewpoint today experience the island quite differently: untouched and completely left to nature. Enjoy the view and the tranquility of nature!

The hiking trail to Krombacher Island begins at the Nespen hiking parking lot and then follows hiking trail A5. After 500 meters, the trail branches off to the right (before the barrier near the power line pylon) across a former railway embankment and leads to a paved path at the end of the meadow. The viewpoint is then very close by.

An overview map and the annual program of guided hikes at the Wiehl Dam are available at the Reichshof Spa & Tourist Information Office.

Guests can book in advance at the mill café. Historic Mill Nespen Pick up a picnic basket with Krombacher drinks and a small snack and combine it with your trip to the viewpoint.