Leisure tips - Victor's Residenz-Hotel Gummersbach

A brilliant highlight for kids and their patents. At the Affen- und Vogelpark Eckenhagen (monkey and bird park), you can look forward to seeing a whole gang of monkeys and admire their climbing skills.

Cute little monkeys that swing through the treetops and let visitors feed them, as well as storks, flamingos and many other feathered friends will delight animal lovers at the Affen- und Vogelpark Eckenhagen. The park's large adventure playground features a suspension bridge, a gondola and a water playground. And after so much fun and action, you really should head for the Garden Café and treat yourself to a coffee and a melt-in-the-mouth "Bergische Waffel".

Incidentally, the park also has a large indoor adventure hall and 24 free barbecue huts and sites. 

There are many dams and reservoirs around Gummersbach; the Aggertalsperre is one of them. German guests will probably be familiar with this reservoir from the TV advertisement for a major beer brand. 

The Aggertalsperre is used to generate electricity. The dam wall is 45 metres high and was built between 1927 and 1929. The Aggertalsperre also offers a wide range of leisure opportunities, from surrounding hiking trails to sailing and rowing. The quiet area is also popular with scuba divers. Our tip: directly by the Aggertalsperre is the "Streifzug Energieweg" path through the Bergisches hiking country. It leads from the dam along the forest to the village of Lieberhausen. Along the way, hikers will find a lot of information on the subject of energy. The trail is a total of 11.9 kilometres long.

There are many historic buildings in the centre of Gummersbach, but the former Vogtei (bailiwick) is a very special one.

The brick building is two storeys high and has a steep hipped roof. It is surrounded by two square outbuildings, and looks a little like a castle. Bailiff Johann Pollmann built the prestigious guildhall and residence in the 17th century. As well as the bailiwick, there are many other historic building to explore in the area – such as former water mills and the Oberbergisches timber-framed "Haus Torley".

Ideal destination for aspiring cave explorers! One of the most beautiful dripstone caves in Germany, the Atta Cave wows visitors with its calc-sinter flowstone drapes, colourfully tinctured by iron oxides. The formation of the cave dates back to the Devonian period, about 400 million years ago, when the site of the present-day cave still lay in an ocean bay. On a roughly 400 meter long circular tour, visitors can see stalactites, stalagmites, and impressive calcite crystal formations, e.g. in the so-called „Hall of the Prophet” or the „Throne Room“. The Atta Cave was discovered in 1907 during the quarrying of limestone at the Biggetaler Lime Works.

Lake Bigge is an idyllic reservoir, known for ist superior water quality. With a surface area of approximately 9 square kilometers, it is the perfect family destination for loads of fun in and around the water. There’s a gorgeous lido that belongs to the Surfclub Sauerland and two beautiful public bathing spots and beaches in Attendorn and Olpe. Tired of baking in the sun? Then head on over to the Atta Cave, one of the largest dripstone caves in Germany, or enjoy a number of other great activities around Lake Bigge, like hiking or biking. This region offers countless hiking trails and cycling routes, such as the so-called Talsperrenweg and the Volme-Höhen-Weg. Our suggestion: the Bigge-Lister-Radring (50 km). If that all sounds too tame for you, there are plenty of challenging trails for seasoned mountain bikers as well!

Would you like to set the sails and relax on the big blue Bigge? Between the Easter and the fall holidays, you can hop aboard a passenger ship and enjoy a 90-minute tour of the lake. Full speed ahead!

The Railway Museum is located in close proximity to our hotel on the site of the former Deutsche Bundesbahn locomotive depot. It is a protected historical monument and an El Dorado for railway enthusiasts, young and old alike. Visitors can marvel at an entire fleet of steam locomotives, the museum even features the last model of the Prussian T14 series, nicknamed “the bull”. The exhibition space is spread out over three levels. Besides steam, diesel and electric locomotives, a historical roundhouse, a turntable, and the equipment of the former steam depot can be seen. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. If you’d like to experience what it was like to travel by steam train 100 years ago, the museum offers rides on a steam locomotive. For the schedule, please consult the museum’s website.

The Genkel Dam is located near the towns of Gummersbach and Meinerzhagen. You can explore the area while hiking on one of two beautiful circular trails (10 km, respectively 14 km long). Along the route, information panels will give you interesting details about the plant and animal life in the region. If you prefer cycling to hiking, the trails are perfect for excursions by bike as well.

Tremendous fun in the water for all ages: Gumbala Bade- und Saunaland (indoor water park and sauna paradise) is the perfect place to plunge in and relax. Just let yourself float along.

Whether action-packed water fun for the kids or a relaxing spa break for parents, Gumbala Water Park has something for everyone. How about whizzing down the 34 metre long tube slide – or perhaps you'd like to swim with the current in the flow channel. The large sauna area includes a steam bath, a salt crystal sauna, a local herbal sauna and a bio sauna.

Halle 32 in Gummersbach – the former factory of the 19th-century machinery constructor L. & C. Steinmüller – reopened in 2013 as an event venue. Since then, Halle 32 has hosted a wide range of cultural events. Besides concerts, comedy events and theatrical performances, the venue also hosts readings and exhibitions. Halle 32 is also testimony to the town's industrial past.

This explains why parts of the former factory have been preserved to serve as a connection between history and the modern day – allowing visitors to experience the past, the present and the future in the one venue. Last but not least, Halle 32 is connected via a bridge to the neighbouring Schwalbe Arena – home to VfL Gummersbach, who play in the German handball league.

The culture/events venue is always popular with our guests because it is located just a 10-minute walk away from our hotel.

Welcome to Cologne! The pulsating heart of the Rhineland region offers countless places to go and things to see. The most prominent landmark of the city, no doubt, and one of the most visited sights in all of Germany, is the Cologne Cathedral. Construction began in 1248 but was halted in the 16th century. The spectacular edifice was completed in 1880 and declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. You will love Cologne not only for its grand sights, but for its many shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Take a leisurely stroll through the historic alleyways near the train station and enjoy the city’s unique charm. Whether you feel like going shopping, visiting the zoo, taking a cruise on the Rhine or going to see a musical: „Kölle“, as the locals call their city affectionately, is full of life – a vibrant, unswervingly positive place that’s always worth a visit!

The Rhineland Regional Council (LVR) operates a unique and wonderful project in Lindlar: the open air museum invites visitors to embark on a journey into the past and experience what rural life was like for the local population of the 19th and 20th centuries. On approx. 30 hectares, visitors will find a reconstruction of 30 historical buildings, such as a forge, a wheelwright’s shop, a bakehouse, a forester’s lodge, and a small private dwelling, allowing them to catch a glimpse of life as it was then in an authentic setting. The exhibits are grouped thematically – especially with regard to rural work, ecology and artisanry.  „Everyday Faith“, e.g., explains the significance of religion at the time, while another exhibition focuses on the role of subsistence farming up until the German Revolutions of 1848/1849. The museum also offers tours of the compound, craft demonstrations, and changing exhibits.

With its flaxen façade, Homburg Castle is one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Oberbergische district in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Steeped in history, the medieval castle is perched on a hilltop in the municipality of Nümbrecht. Although records show that the castle was first mentioned in documents in the year 1276, archaeological findings suggest that the historic structure actually dates back to an even earlier time. Extensive alterations and modernisations throughout the 17th and 18th centuries produced the current charming Baroque style.
Today, Homburg Castle houses a museum which invites visitors to explore its fascinating exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the region. You will learn about bourgeois life in the Middle Ages, the chivalric code of conduct and courtly manners, ancient work methods, as well as the history of the different periods of reign. For history buffs, Homburg Castle is definitely a must-see sight!

SCHWALBE Arena is a modern multipurpose arena, located in the heart of Gummersbach. It is diversely transformable and can, e.g., be divided into four units. The arena serves as venue for a great variety of sports, entertainment and music events. It also frequently hosts exhibitions, fairs, etc.

Gently sloping hills, lush meadows, green forests, babbling brooks winding through pleasant valleys, plus countless sights steeped in culture and history – the Bergisches Land low mountain range region is a dream come true for hiking aficionados. Gummersbach alone boasts roughly 180 km of scenic trails. Try the so-called „Bergische Streifzug“ energy path, e.g., which offers great information on renewable energies, or the 7,5 km long circular route which starts at the Bruch natural outdoor swimming pool and offers wonderful views of Lantenbach. So, wait no more, lace up your hiking boots, and venture out into the great outdoors!

An unforgettable experience deep underground, even when it rains. In the Wiehler Tropfsteinhöhle (stalactite cave), take a 30-metre trip down into the earth's interior and be amazed by the numerous stalactites. Stalactites growing down from above and stalagmites growing up from below gave the cave its present face of cascades, pillars and columns. The highlight of the tour is the cave lake.
The Wiehl Cave was not discovered until 1860, and it is the largest stalactite cave in the Rhineland. It is located to the south of Wiehl, in a limestone formation from the Devonian Period (beginning approx. 419.2 million years ago).

Opening hours:
April to November: daily from 10am until 5pm
last tour 16.15pm (duration 45 minutes)

November to April: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only
11am until 4pm

Prices: € 4.50, children € 4

Bergisches Land is a favourite holiday region all year round – especially in winter, with plenty of fun for people of all ages. Whether you are looking for sport or relaxation, the Bergisches Land is also a great destination in winter. Sport is also a highlight in the renowned hiking region at this time of year, with several winter sports areas where visitors can enjoy the snow.

There's skiing, curling, tobogganing and cross-country ski trails to enjoy on your winter holiday in the Bergisches Land Nature Park. Skiers and snowboarders, for example, will have great fun in the Olpe-Fahlenscheid ski resort. Around 40 minutes away from the Victor's Residenz-Hotel Gummersbach, this resort is suitable for beginners and experts – as well as for children. Courses are available for skiers, while non-skiers can enjoy the thrills of snow-tubing and tobogganing, or keep themselves warm in a cosy mountain restaurant.

This internationally renowned zoo is absolutely amazing! Set in the northernmost part of Cologne (in a neighbourhood called Riehl), it was founded in 1860, which makes it the third oldest zoo in Germany. Step by step, it was redesigned to become a „geo zoo“, which means that animals here are grouped according to different geographical regions – Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica. The Cologne Zoo is the perfect destination to spend an entire day with the whole family. Enjoy the free-flight rainforest hall, the large elephant park, the house for hippos, the farm with rare native species, the petting zoo and so much more …