Day hike Solingen - from Wipperkotten to Unterburg
Seven international students and two members of the IST laced up their trainers on 25 April 2026 and walked around 15 kilometres (including two strenuous climbs) with a guide from the Wuppertells.
At Wipperkotten, they learnt something about why Solingen is called the city of blades. Blades have been ground in Kotten since the end of the Middle Ages; the fast flow of the Wupper drives a water wheel, which in turn sets the grinding machines in motion. The sharpened blades were transported to the factories by the delivery women and turned into knives, scissors or other cutting tools.
On the tour, the group was also able to experience the diversity of forest utilisation: as a natural habitat for deer, woodpeckers and wood mice, as a natural management area for the regeneration of the forest and as a recreational and leisure area for hiking, horse riding, mountain biking or trail running.
At the end of the tour, there was one reward not to be missed: the classic Bergisch waffle with cherries, ice cream and whipped cream. A successful end to a wonderful outdoor day!
