Pferdebroich near Willich is a nature reserve in the Willich-Schiefbahn area, reached by a regional cycling route at junction 71. The route passes the reserve and the lake of the same name, making this a local outing to plan around the surrounding countryside rather than a town-centre landmark.
From Hotel am Park - Willich - Düsseldorf - Krefeld’s rooms, Pferdebroich is about 8 minutes by car or 61 minutes on foot.
- Area: Willich-Schiefbahn.
- Regional route access: cycle junction 71.
- The route passes through the reserve and by its lake.
- A circular cycle tour from Schloss Neersen covers around 37 kilometres.
Where Pferdebroich is
Pferdebroich is in the Willich-Schiefbahn area, where a regional cycle route reaches junction 71. The regional cycling-tour description spells the place name “Pferdsbroich” and identifies it as a nature reserve; the route also passes the lake of the same name.
That spelling difference is useful to know when looking up the route: the place is referred to as Pferdebroich in this guide, while the regional description uses Pferdsbroich. Junction 71 in Willich-Schiefbahn is the route reference provided for reaching the area.
The setting and nearby paths
The route through Pferdsbroich links the nature reserve with the lake of the same name. It forms part of a wider landscape route rather than a described standalone walking circuit, so use a map-based route planner to check walking options and the symbols for stops, stations and parking.
The Kreis Viersen Wanderplaner provides map-based walking routes, symbols for bus stops, stations and parking, and a bus-and-train journey-planning function. You can use these tools to see what route choices and access points suit your outing.
A separate marked Radrundweg Willich is 41 kilometres long and passes Schloss Neersen, the Nordkanal, fields and the former Willich–Mönchengladbach railway line. For another nature outing in the area, the Neersener Bruch nature walk is a related local route.
How do you get from the hotel area to Pferdebroich?
The regional cycle-route description places the reserve at junction 71 in Willich-Schiefbahn.
If you want a longer ride, one circular tour starts and ends at the Rothweg car park at Schloss Neersen, junction 8, and covers around 37 kilometres.
It runs through a sequence of junctions, including junction 71 in Willich-Schiefbahn, before returning to its start. Schloss Neersen is also the focus of this guide to the grounds and access at Schloss Neersen.
The route crosses the Schiefbahner Bruch landscape protection area between junction 71 and junction 14 in Niederheide. The junction sequence and distance describe a full cycle outing, not a short walk around the reserve.
Planning a short local outing
For a shorter outing, use the map-based Wanderplaner to identify a walking route and check its access symbols before setting off. The regional descriptions establish the reserve, lake and junction 71 as local reference points, but the longer circular ride is around 37 kilometres.
You can also use the Rothweg car park at Schloss Neersen as the start and finish for that circular ride. Its route passes through Schloss Neersen park, which covers approximately 25 hectares and has a hedge labyrinth, café and playground. The park gives the cycle itinerary another point of interest before or after the countryside section.
Before you go: Check the Kreis Viersen Wanderplaner for route maps and bus-and-train journey planning.
FAQs
Is Pferdebroich the same place as Pferdsbroich?
The regional cycling-tour description uses the spelling “Pferdsbroich” for the nature reserve and its lake. This guide uses Pferdebroich for the Willich-area place name.
Can you reach Pferdebroich on a circular cycle route?
Yes. A circular route from the Rothweg car park at Schloss Neersen passes junction 71 in Willich-Schiefbahn and covers around 37 kilometres.
What route-planning tools are available for the area?
The Kreis Viersen Wanderplaner provides map-based walking routes, access symbols and bus-and-train journey planning.