Beer trail in Wiehl-Bielstein (ramble #17) - Naturpark Bergisches Land

A great route and I think it is currently in the top three places for forays. A lot of forest, water and interesting facts about the art of beer brewing accompanied us today - the south of the Bergisches Land is really recommended. The three holes in the bottom (secured with a combination lock) are really funny and can be filled in advance with 15 bottles of beer, Radler or Fassbrause. Costs approx. 30 euros per hole. Afterwards we had a delicious dinner at Haus Kranenberg, where we were able to warm up... a very successful day 🤗

Unfortunately, the bus doesn't run hourly on weekends (Sundays). Towards Cologne, take bus 304 and then continue with the RB 25.

Forays into Bergisches are actually always wonderfully signposted. You shouldn't be too careless about it. This path is wonderfully varied .... wide views and village charm, the source of the origin disappoints but the brewery shows off at the end. Yes ! It was worth it.

Here is the video: https://youtu.be/PVPqlFjgajs

Well, that's something! I have to admit, after having hiked three quarters of the Bergisches Streifzüge, the information content of the signs is a little exhausted. A lot of things are repeated (mills, hammers, etc.), so that on the last tours I skimmed over one or two signs rather than reading them. The topic of "beer" was really something new and a reason to spend a little longer at the 7 signs (unfortunately the third is currently missing). And the route is not to be sniffed at either. Around 10 kilometers of the 13 kilometers are more or less uphill. It's not very sporty, but the constant uphill climb challenges your fitness well without overtaxing you. (Which I was very grateful for given today's temperatures) The contacts with the villages are kept short and don't get in the way. With one exception, the loop around Krahm could have been skipped. You soon realize that the main thing is to offer a place to stop for a break halfway along the route. The barn is only open from 5 p.m. on weekdays. At the weekends, you can start earlier, but even here the early hiker will find the doors locked. So if you can do without an information board and have enough provisions with you (well, which hiker doesn't), we recommend skipping this unnecessary and (pardon) boring round and just continuing straight on the Elisabethpfad. After 500 m you will come back to the original route of the beer trail. But this little hair doesn't really make this hike any worse. It is a good choice and the beer at the end (if you like it) is well deserved.

Firstly: the name is supposed to mean something? That you walk past a brewery? Secondly: too much asphalt there are nicer tours.

Nice hike with lots of information about beer. Otherwise what you would expect in Bergisch: rather wide paths with gentle inclines, lots of dead (or also already cut) spruce trees, beautiful views of the lovely hilly landscape. However, if you get thirsty from all the beer information, you should pack some rucksack provisions: unfortunately there are no places to stop for refreshments on the way.

The 13.4-kilometer Beer Trail leads through the town of Wiehl and past the Erzquell Brewery. Along the trail, seven information panels explain how beer is made and the effects of its individual ingredients. The trail also explains storage and shelf life and offers interesting facts about beer around the world. For those who don't want to lug a heavy cooler bag while hiking the Beer Trail, but still want to enjoy a cold beer, there is now a beer chilled underground. So-called "hop caves" are sunk into the ground at five locations; each of these caves can accommodate 15 bottles of ZUNFT Kölsch, ZUNFT Radler, or ZUNFT Fassbrause. Even in summer, the 0.33-liter bottles stay nice and cool underground.