Bensberg Castle Trail (Stroll #13)

The baroque castle high above Bensberg has a fairytale quality, the history of the early earthwork castle is shrouded in mystery, and star architect Gottfried Böhm caused a worldwide sensation in the 1960s with the expansion of an old castle into the town hall. Four very different castles, fortresses, and stately homes can be discovered along the 10,1-kilometer-long "Bensberg Castle Trail."

The contrast between medieval and modern architecture characterizes Böhm's "Bürgerburg" (Citizens' Castle), which, since its completion, has also been jokingly called "Monkey Rock" by locals. From here, the historical discovery tour leads to the Baroque palace, which Elector Jan Wellem of Düsseldorf had built as a hunting lodge in the 18th century. Today, Bensberg Palace is a grand hotel where guests from all over the world and stars like Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney stay. Hikers delve into the history of the old building during the Franco-Prussian Wars by visiting the French and Prussian-Austrian military cemeteries in the neighboring Hardt Forest.

Not far from there, the Schlosshotel Lerbach awaits, whose Michelin-starred cuisine first brought Bergisch Gladbach worldwide renown as a gourmet mecca in the 1990s (closed for renovations since 2015). From this luxury hotel, located on the former estate of a paper manufacturer, the circular route leads back to modern-day Bensberg via the pre-Christian ramparts of Erdenburg.

Bensberg is a stage town on the "Bergisches Weg" trail.

Along the "Bensberg Castle Trail," the "Waldstuben" restaurant at the Romantik Waldhotel Mangold and the Naturfreunde Hardt inn invite you to stop for refreshments. Further dining options can be found on Schlossstraße (and in the surrounding area) in Bensberg.

Walking time: about 3 hours

The trail has a total of 7 information panels. We thank Andreas Lülsdorf, who maintains the trail as a volunteer trail steward.  

Those interested in the history of the Bergisches Land region can visit the "Bergisches Museum für Bergbau, Handwerk und Gewerbe" (Bergisches Museum for Mining, Crafts and Industry) before or after the hike, which is located not far from the starting point of the hike.