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Wupper

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River
—°10
Wupper (Germany)

Weather…

The Wupper is a 116-kilometer-long tributary of the Rhine, flowing through the topographically diverse Bergisches Land region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The river achieved global recognition primarily through the city of Wuppertal, where the world-famous suspension railway (Schwebebahn) runs directly above the riverbed for approximately ten kilometers. During the 19th century, the Wupper Valley was a cradle of German early industrialization, with the river's water power extensively harnessed for textile mills and metal workshops. This industrial legacy once led to severe pollution, but comprehensive sewage treatment and renaturation projects have significantly restored water quality today. In its upper reaches, the Wupper is regulated by numerous dams, such as the Wupper Reservoir, which serve for both flood control and drinking water supply. The steep slopes of the Wupper Valley now provide valuable recreational spaces for hikers and nature enthusiasts in the heart of a densely populated metropolitan area.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C2251013171918151163
Rain mm846761456568788262677786

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
The Wupper is easily accessible in urban areas like Wuppertal, often right next to busy roads or beneath the famous suspension railway. In the natural parts of the Bergisches Land, sometimes steep hiking trails lead into the valley.
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Best season
The Wupper valley and its surrounding forests are especially attractive for hikes from early spring through the colorful autumn. In winter, the wooded paths can become slippery and shady, requiring extra caution from all walkers.
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Terrain & paths
The river's character ranges from heavily canalized sections in urban areas to wild, romantic, stony banks in deeply cut natural valleys, where surefootedness is frequently required on the narrow and sometimes uneven trails.
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What to bring
Casual wear is plenty for a city stroll in Wuppertal. Anyone exploring the hiking trails in the Bergisches Land absolutely needs sturdy hiking boots, as the paths are often uneven, root-filled, and very muddy after heavy rains.
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Parking
There is a true abundance of urban parking garages in Wuppertal. For hikes outside the main city, smaller hiking car parks located at bridges or historical mills are handy, as these often serve as excellent starting points.
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Safety
In the city, maximum caution is required along the busy roads. In the natural areas, it is important not to stray from the designated marked paths and to move with extreme care on any slippery stones found near the river's edge.
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Time needed
A brief ride on the suspension railway over the river takes only a short time, but a combined hike through the valley can easily fill 3 to 5 hours if you wish to thoroughly explore both nature and industrial culture alike.

Geography

Length
117 km
Coordinates
51.25000, 7.19500

Facts

  • Total length of 116.5 kilometers
  • Upper reaches are known as the Wipper
  • Elevation drop of 407 meters from source to mouth
  • Suspension railway runs over the river for 10 km
  • A total of 15 dams in the catchment area
  • Catchment area size: 813 square kilometers

Explore nearby

Notable places around

WuppertalWuppertal1 km · NWExplore →
📍Remscheid8 km · SExplore →
📍Schwelm8 km · NEExplore →
📍Neviges10 km · NWExplore →
📍Ennepetal12 km · NEExplore →
📍Wülfrath12 km · WExplore →
SolingenSolingen12 km · SWExplore →
📍Radevormwald12 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Wupper (10)

Extruder (1932)

Extruder from 1932, on display in Wuppertal.

Vulkanisationspresse (1905)

Vulcanization press from 1905, on display in Wuppertal.

Lichtscheid

Residential area of Wuppertal, situated on a hill.

Kleiner Torbogen

Ruins of a small archway in Wuppertal.

Toelleturm

Observation tower in Wuppertal, open in good weather on weekends and holidays.

Vorwerk-Park🌳 park

Park in Wuppertal, offering green spaces for recreation.

Murmelbachtal

Nature reserve in Germany, located in the valley of the Murmelbach stream.

Naherholungsgebiet Scharpenacken🌳 park

Former military training area, now a local recreation area in Wuppertal.

Scharpenacker Berge

Mountain in Wuppertal, offering viewpoints.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Wuppertal Suspension Railway?
A globally unique public transport system that floats above the Wupper river through Wuppertal.
Where is Germany's highest railway bridge located?
The Müngsten Bridge crosses the Wupper at a height of 107 meters between Solingen and Remscheid.
Can you go canoeing on the Wupper?
Yes, there are designated routes for canoes, especially popular between Leichlingen and Opladen.
What hiking trails are there along the river?
The Wupperweg trail accompanies the river for about 125 km from its source to its confluence with the Rhine.
Was the Wupper an industrial river in the past?
Yes, it was the center of the textile industry; today the water quality has significantly improved.
Wupper: where is it located?
Wupper is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Wupper: what is there to see?
Highlights include Lichtenplatzer Kapelle, Extruder (1932), Vulkanisationspresse (1905).
Wupper: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Wupper: why is it worth visiting?
The Wupper is a 116-kilometer-long tributary of the Rhine, flowing through the topographically diverse Bergisches Land region of North Rhine-Westphalia.
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