Discover Kalkum

Kalkum’s main attractions are shaped by its castle history and landscape. Kalkum Castle is part of an unusually well-preserved historic ensemble; the Kalkum Forest adds wildlife and cycling routes to the area. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on architectural history, nature or cycling.

Castle ensemble and history

Kalkum Castle is one of the most important moated castles in North Rhine-Westphalia. Together with the village of the same name, the Romanesque parish church, the castle park, kitchen gardens and Kalkumer Schlossallee, it forms an unusually well-preserved historic ensemble. Kalkum Castle and its park are listed as historic monuments. In 1809, the then owner, Countess Maria Anna von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg-Weisweiler, commissioned architect Georg Peter Leydel to carry out extensive alterations to Kalkum Castle; these works shaped its present appearance.

The so-called Temple Hill in Kalkum Castle Park offers charming views over the boundary and into the surrounding cultural landscape. The Schwarzbach flows through Kalkum Castle Park and feeds the castle moat. The park thus connects views of the cultural landscape with a direct water link to the castle.

Church and other historic sights

St. Lambertus Parish Church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries and is also an important example of the Neo-Romanesque style. An old watermill is another historic sight in Kalkum. This means that historical interest extends beyond the castle and park to include other buildings in the area.

Kalkum Forest and cycling routes

Deer, foxes, hares, rabbits and badgers, which have returned to the area, live in Kalkum Forest. Its varied, mature woodland provides food and shelter for many bird species, including cavity-nesting birds such as woodpeckers. A municipal cycling brochure published in 2019 describes the forest paths as wide, flat and straight, and suitable for extended bike rides. This highlights two distinct aspects: the wildlife and its habitat, and the suitability of the paths for longer rides.

Route D2 is designated as a circular cycling route and runs from Düsseldorf Airport to Kalkum Castle, then along the Rhine through Kaiserswerth. Unlike the forest paths, which are described as wide, flat and straight, D2 is characterized by its circular route and the named local and landscape features along the way. You can compare the two cycling options using these different points of reference. Check route information and path conditions before setting off.

Getting your bearings for the journey

There are stops in Kalkum on Kalkumer Schloßallee and at Kalkum Castle. You can use these two place names when checking timetables. Check your connection before travelling, as routes may change.

A park perspective in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf also offers a park destination in its own right: the Hofgarten is the city’s oldest public park, covers around 27 hectares and features a large expanse of water and numerous sculptures.

Discover more destinations: Wittlaer, Holthausen, Rath, Garath, Angermund, Benrath, Düsseldorf

Go to the main travel overview: Düsseldorf.