Castles, palaces and gourmet temples
The baroque castle high above Bensberg has a fairytale-like appearance, the history of the early Erdenburg castle is mysterious, and star architect Gottfried Böhm caused a worldwide sensation in the 1960s with the extension of an old castle into a town hall. There are four very different palaces, castles and stately homes to discover on the 10.1-kilometre "Bensberg Castle Trail".
The contrast between the Middle Ages and modernity characterizes Böhm's "Bürgerburg", which has also been called "Affenfelsen" (monkey rock) by the locals with a wink since its completion. 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 such as Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney stay overnight. Hikers can immerse themselves in the history of the old walls during the Franco-German wars when they visit the French and Prussian-Austrian military cemeteries in the neighboring Hardt Forest.
Not far away is the Schlosshotel Lerbach, whose Michelin-starred cuisine first made Bergisch Gladbach famous worldwide as a gourmet Mecca in the 1990s (closed since 2015 due to renovation work). From the luxury hostel in the former paper manufacturer's estate, the circular route finally leads back to modern Bensberg via the pre-Christian ramparts of Erdenburg Castle.
Bensberg is a stage on the "Bergisches Weg".
The "Waldstuben" restaurant in the Romantik Waldhotel Mangold and the Naturfreunde Hardt invite you to take a break along the "Bensberger Schlossweg". You will find other places to stop for refreshments in Schlossstraße (and the surrounding area) in Bensberg.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
The trail has a total of 7 information boards. We would like to thank Andreas Lülsdorf, who looks after the trail as a volunteer trail patron.
If you are interested in Bergisch history, you can visit the "Bergisches Museum für Bergbau, Handwerk und Gewerbe" before or after the hike, which is not far from the starting point of the STREIFZUG.
The contrast between the Middle Ages and modernity characterizes Böhm's "Bürgerburg", which has also been called "Affenfelsen" (monkey rock) by the locals with a wink since its completion. 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 such as Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney stay overnight. Hikers can immerse themselves in the history of the old walls during the Franco-German wars when they visit the French and Prussian-Austrian military cemeteries in the neighboring Hardt Forest.
Not far away is the Schlosshotel Lerbach, whose Michelin-starred cuisine first made Bergisch Gladbach famous worldwide as a gourmet Mecca in the 1990s (closed since 2015 due to renovation work). From the luxury hostel in the former paper manufacturer's estate, the circular route finally leads back to modern Bensberg via the pre-Christian ramparts of Erdenburg Castle.
Bensberg is a stage on the "Bergisches Weg".
The "Waldstuben" restaurant in the Romantik Waldhotel Mangold and the Naturfreunde Hardt invite you to take a break along the "Bensberger Schlossweg". You will find other places to stop for refreshments in Schlossstraße (and the surrounding area) in Bensberg.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
The trail has a total of 7 information boards. We would like to thank Andreas Lülsdorf, who looks after the trail as a volunteer trail patron.
If you are interested in Bergisch history, you can visit the "Bergisches Museum für Bergbau, Handwerk und Gewerbe" before or after the hike, which is not far from the starting point of the STREIFZUG.
