Bergische 50 — Hiking Event Wipperfürth

Bergische 50 — one of the largest hiking events in Western Germany

The Bergische 50 is one of the largest hiking events in North Rhine-Westphalia and in the entire Western German region. With approx. 6,000 participants annually, it is among the top German hiking sports events. Concept: A 50-kilometer adventure hike through the hilly landscape of the Bergisches Land — Wipperfürth, Lindlar, Marienheide, Hückeswagen, featuring all the typical landscape elements of the region: forests, streams, pastures, reservoir views.

2026 — 11th Edition at Marktplatz Wipperfürth

The 11th Bergische 50 starts on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from Marktplatz Wipperfürth. Participants start between 7:00 and 9:00 AM using a rolling start concept — a mass start would be logistically unmanageable. Maximum hiking time: 12 hours — most participants reach the finish line between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, back at the Marktplatz. Hilly profile, well-marked route, catering stations along the way, medals for all finishers.

Relay Teams and Bergische 25

For those who don't want to walk the entire distance, there are two alternatives:

• Relay format: Two people share the 50 km — one person walks about 32 km, the other about 18 km. An organized shuttle service takes the team members to the exchange points.
• Bergische 25: On Sunday, April 26, 2026, a 25-kilometer version will take place with starts between 8:30 and 11:00 AM — as a "warm-up course" or for hikers for whom 50 km is too much.

Bergisches Land — The Landscape

The route leads through the Bergisches Land — a hilly cultural landscape between Cologne/Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, and the Sauerland region. Forests and meadows alternate, small farms, historic parish villages, and reservoirs (Bevertalsperre, Wuppertalsperre) characterize the scenery. The Bergische 50 is not just a sporting event but also a marketing initiative for the region — hiking tourism in the Bergisches Land has become an important economic factor in recent years.

Wipperfürth — The Hanseatic City in the Oberbergisches

Wipperfürth is one of the oldest cities in the Bergisches Land — founded in the mid-12th century, formerly a member of the Hanseatic League, hence the nickname "Hanseatic City Wipperfürth". With about 21,000 inhabitants, Wipperfürth is now a medium-sized town in the Oberbergischer Kreis district. The historic Marktplatz with its half-timbered townhouses is the ideal start and finish point for the Bergische 50 — a meeting point for participants before and after the hike, with surrounding gastronomy for rehydration.

Organizer

The organizer is MasterLogistics GmbH from Bergisch Gladbach — an experienced provider of large-scale events, capable of professionally managing the logistics of such mass hiking events (catering, route marking, medical services, shuttle service). Registration via frielingsdorf-datenservice.de or bergische50.de.