Landscape.
The landscape of the Neuss is an open invitation to enjoy tranquil country life.
Because of the flat nature of the land the area it offers a great opportunity not only for riders and cyclists, but also those who simply take pleasure in going for a walk and contemplate the beauties of nature.
The small town of Mettmann over to the East already belongs to the Bergisches Land. So as you can see, the border is nearby! The cities of Wuppertal, Solingen and Remscheid constitute a well-known triangle of the region. Within a few minutes one can be out of town right in the middle of green countryside with cows and horses. Hence the Bergisches Land is a favoured area for commuters. The terms earth, water, fire and air are characteristic for the landscape of the Bergisches Land. In the so-called land of the art of fire you can even today see proof of former industrialisation: old cottages, beaters and mills. Beside these attesters of the past, the visitor can take a look at the black and white half-timbered houses with their green shutters and slated roofs and walls in which the national colours are reflected.
As indicated with the terms earth, water and air, the Bergisches Land is not only characterised by its industrial heritage. Silky hills and valleys, the streams of the Wupper, Rhine and Ruhr as well as small woods are significant for the Bergisches Land. Also, mixed and fir woods of the parks surround most towns and invite to take extensive walks. The rivers offer fascinating attractions with Viaducts and smaller creeks. The institution of a nature park protects the largest part of this landscape. These typical highlands with heights of 500 metres or so are surrounded by the foothills of the Sauerland in the East, the Westerwald in the South, the bay of Cologne-Siegburg in the West and the three above-mentioned cities to the North.
The region of the Lower Rhine abuts on the Netherlands. But it is not possible to specify an exact categorical border. Neither in terms of history, politics, economy nor culture one can denote the Lower Rhine as a grown unit. The counties of Kleve, Wesel, Oberhausen, Duisburg, Krefeld, Viersen and Mönchengladbach and the northern parts of Neuss constitute the close landscape of the Lower Rhine. However, Dusseldorf, parts of Leverkusen and parts of Mettmann close to the Rhine are attributed only sporadically to the Lower Rhine. Embedded in the calm landscape there are several smaller villages and towns, which have some very nice cultural sites. The museum Kurhaus Kleve presents modern art in the ambience of historic bath-buildings. In Bedburg-Hau you may see the Moyland castle including the considerable archive of the artist Beuys. Kevelaer is a very famous place of pilgrimage regarding the Blessed Virgin Maria. Every year millions of both religious and other visitors travel to Kevelaer.
Country life can be experienced in this region, too. Staying overnight in the hay or in very old bake houses, dancing in a barn and having breakfast in a farmer's café are listed on the agenda. Also the varied landscape of the Lower Rhine is precious biosphere for animals and plants. In both large and small conservation areas professional care of the flora and fauna is guaranteed. The charm of the Lower Rhine is continued by the gently sloping river flood plains and hills as well as the moorlands are characteristic of this landscape. The broad meadows and fields lined with willow trees and natural hedges and the many little streams of the Rhine with the alluvial forests invite to partake of cycling tours and walks.
No matter which direction you take, you can escape very easily and quickly reach the nearby natural landscapes of the Bergisches Land and the Lower Rhine.