Photo of Schwebebahn above the wupper
© Stadt Wuppertal

Discover the Valley

Tips for Tourists

Over a distance of 13.3 kilometres, the suspension railway runs through the Wupper Valley, of which a good ten kilometres of track run above the river. The full return journey takes around an hour, and covers 20 stations. Some of these suspension railway stations have retained their Art Nouveau architecture, being replaced in the course of the modernisation (since 1995) with new or identical stations, and in some cases atmospherically floodlit. Their architecture creates striking imagery in the city, particularly for keen photographers.

The angel's house
© Owner Stadt Wuppertal

The most popular motifs include the view up the shop-lined Kaiserstraße at the Vohwinkel terminus, where the suspension railway runs right past dignified Gründerzeit buildings.

The line continues over the confusing Sonnborn motorway junction, to the stadium by the zoo, where the train passes over Support 100, a masterpiece of engineering, to the direction of the river. It is well worthwhile getting out soon thereafter to visit Wuppertal Zoo. Its hilly location, the extensive lion enclosure, and the penguin enclosure with its underground glass tunnel are attractions unrivalled in Germany.

Beyenburger Stausee
© Owner Stadt Wuppertal

The plant premises of the global Bayer corporation, which was founded in Wuppertal and over the premises of which the train glides, impressively stand witness to the pioneering spirit of the Bergisches Land region. Past the Briller neighbourhood, Germany's largest continuous quarter of landmarked villas, the train passes on to the centre of Elberfeld. During the day, this is a great place for shopping or for a visit to the Von der Heydt Museum, and in the evening for a concert at the Historic City Hall, or for barhopping through the Luisenviertel district.

The suspension railway stations Ohligsmühle and Kluse impress visitors with their audacious, highly modern architecture, while the imposing Regional Court building (1854) is one of the oldest in Germany. High over these, to the north of the Wupper, there is the Hardt local recreation area with the Botanical Garden; to the south of the river there is the unique Waldfrieden sculpture park by the artist Tony Cragg.