Clothmakers' Trail (Stroll #1)

  • 10,36 km long
  • Difficulty: medium
  • regional hiking trail
  • theme trail
  • tours
  • 2: 52 pm
  • 10,36 km
  • 138 m
  • 260 m
  • 214 m
  • 374 m
  • 160 m
  • Start: Hohenfuhrstraße 13, 42477 Radevormwald
  • Destination: Wupperdamm, Am Wallenberg, 42897 Radevormwald
Industrial development on the Wupper River
Radevormwald is the highest town in the Bergisches Land region, but a significant part of its history lies in the Wupper Valley. From this "town on the heights," the Clothmakers' Trail leads past the former river bathing area in the Uelfe Valley into the valley that the Wupper River has carved deep into the hills.

The river's power played a crucial role in the region's industrialization. Traces of the textile industry, which replaced the previously dominant iron industry in the 19th century, can be discovered in Dahlerau. A small town grew up around the textile company "Johann Wülfing & Sohn," complete with its own train station, public baths, shops, and workers' housing. A museum offers insights into the history of this former "textile town," which has been home to numerous smaller businesses since the textile factory closed in 1996.

Railway history, seemingly lost in time, awaits discovery at Dahlhausen station: Old locomotives, carriages, and construction vehicles are being restored here by a local association. The hiking trail ends at the Wuppertal Dam; from the dam's crest, a bus (route 671) runs back to the town center.

There are a total of five information panels along the trail. We would like to thank Alexander Frank, who maintains the trail as a volunteer trail steward.
Marker sign Clothmakers' Way
Marker sign Clothmakers' Way

Good to know

Path surfaces

Street (15%)
gravel (10%)
Way (75%)

Best Season

suitable
depending on the weather

Directions

The "Clothmakers' Trail" is a long-distance hiking trail that follows forest tracks, farm roads, and quiet streets. From the town hall of Radevormwald, it descends into the Uelfe Valley and continues through woods and meadows to the lowest point of the hike at Dahlerau on the Wupper River. The trail then follows the old railway tracks along Wülfingstraße to Dahlhausen station.

From there, the route follows forest paths, narrow trails, and quiet roads along the Wupper River to the Wuppertal Dam. At the end of the "Tuchmacherweg" (from the edge of the dam crest), bus line 671 returns to the city center. Alternatively, you can follow the "Wald-Wasser-Wolle-Weg" (trail marker: Ra in a circle), which leads you back to the town hall in another 9 kilometers.

Tour features

  • signage

  • refreshment possibility

  • Good connection to public transport

Arrival & Parking

Parking
By car: Parking lot at the town hall, Hohenfuhrstraße 13, 42477 Radevormwald
Public transportation
Public transport: take bus 626 or 671 to the "Radevormwald Rathaus" stop.

Documents

author

Bergisches Haus GmbH - Bergisches Haus
Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse 75
51429 Bergisch Gladbach

License (master data)

Guido Wagner
License: no copyright required (public domain) (no copyright)

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