New mountain bike trails near Cologne: Adventure on the Glessener Höhe!

New mountain bike trails near Cologne: Adventure on the Glessener Höhe!

In Pulheim, not far from Cologne, things go haywire – at least for all mountain bike enthusiasts. On August 30, 2025, two new trails will open in the picturesque Glessener Höhe, which could quickly become a new hotspot for cyclists. This region, an impressive renatured opencast mine waste dump, rises 80 meters above the surrounding landscape and not only offers spectacular views all the way to the Düsseldorf television tower, but also exciting routes for all levels of difficulty.

The trails start at an altitude of 205 meters and each extend over a length of 350 to 400 meters. Trail 1, the “Glessener Welle”, has a blue marking and is particularly aimed at beginners. Here drivers can look forward to curves, waves, kickers and even a root section. If you fancy additional challenges, you can branch off onto a jump line. Trail 2, known as the “Devil’s Ladder”, offers something more for experienced bikers. With a length of 350 meters and the medium difficulty level (red), it is steeper and more natural, with two different entrances - one via a wooden ramp and the other via an earthen step. A special highlight: a gully has to be crossed here!

A place for everyone

But that's not all. For those who want to improve their skills, there is an additional skill area, the “Fuchsbau”, where various practice elements such as tables, wood drops, stone fields and roots are available. Although this area will be closed on opening day, it offers great potential for beginners, children and advanced skiers to refine their technique free of charge.

The initiative for these trails comes from DIMB IG Erft, which has been working since November 2024 to stop uncoordinated and unofficial construction measures in the adjacent Königsdorfer Wald nature reserve. The members did everything they could to create a suitable area for the trails in a designated landscape protection area and were able to obtain the necessary permits in autumn 2024. This development, which was presented on WDR on February 26, 2025, shows how important it is to create legally secure and sustainable leisure opportunities for the regional mountain bike community.

A new hotspot for bikers

When it comes to the selection of mountain bike routes in Germany, which are characterized by impressive natural landscapes, North Rhine-Westphalia offers a great variety. On top of that, other leisure activities and events such as the Dirtmasters Festival are also very popular in the area. This new offering in Pulheim enriches the local scene and makes the area a particularly charming destination for excursions and sporting activities. The open trails invite both locals and visitors to explore the magnificent trails and enjoy the beauty of the region.

The opening of the new trails is not only a benefit for mountain bikers in the region, but also a further sign of the positive development of cycling in Germany. This project also shows how important it is to create environmentally friendly and sustainable leisure activities and thus promote awareness of the preservation of natural habitats.