Aachen: sportive tour through 3 countries

Sportive Tour through the Eifel, the Netherlands and Belgium

This round trip starts in the cathedral city of Aachen and combines a variety of landscape experiences on a variety of bike paths. The first stage leads on the well-known Vennbahntrasse up in the Eifel and on to the Rurstausee, the second largest reservoir in Germany. Continue on the Rur follow this insider's tip among cycling friends via the historic fortress town of Jülich to the Dutch border town of Roermond. Here, the Rur flows into the Meuse and this varied river offers the most beautiful and well-developed bike paths to the medieval university city of Maastricht with its vibrant cultural scene. Here you cycle cheerfully back and forth in the Dutch-Belgian border area. In this leisure dorado you can visit nice little towns like the white town of Thorn or Alt-Rekem, which in 2008 was voted the "most beautiful place in Flanders". The cultural highlight of the round trip is the final stage from Maastricht to Aachen through the province of South Limburg with its many picturesque villages, palaces, castles and churches and the fascinating underground cave world of Valkenburg.

1. day Aachen Arrival

Come to Aachen early today - it's worth it! The Aachen Cathedral was the first German building in the list of UNESCO World Heritage listed in 1978. It is the coronation church of 30 German kings, the burial place of Charlemagne and until today a significant pilgrimage church with a unique cathedral treasury. On a leisurely tour, you can also visit the historic 14th-century town hall and visit the new city museum before enjoying the famous "Aachener Printen", which are not only offered at Christmas time in a variety of flavors.

2. day Aachen - Rurstausee 57 km

Today you cycle quite sporty on the railway line of the former Vennbahn up in the Eifel. In wide arches, the developed bike path winds gently uphill through the wooded landscape and overspans at the picturesque village Kornelimünster with its many listed old town houses on two spectacular viaducts deeply cut valleys. On short sections, the route also leads through Belgium and on up to the highest point of the entire journey at 550m altitude on the edge of the “Hohen Venn”. After 40 km you leave the Vennbahn cycle path and well deserved you cycle downhill via small Eifel villages to the Rurstausee at 300m altitude, which offers a unique scenic backdrop in the middle of the Eifel National Park. At the end of the stage the Rurstausee invites you to swim.

3. day Rurstausee – Jülich 73 km

Cycling in the morning on the idyllic lakeshore - this atmosphere remains unforgettable and accompanies you the first 15 km of this day till you reach the dam. Even then, the Rur shore bike path is well developed and follows the numerous turns of the river through the nature reserve north Eifel on the pilgrimage Heimbach, the reservoir Obermaubach and on to Kreuzau, the gateway to the Eifel. Now the landscape changes, at Düren, the valley continues and the bike path runs as a dirt road always directly on the lively river to Jülich. Here a visit to Brückenkopfpark and the citadel is worthwhile.

4. day Jülich – Roermond 63 km

Another full day on the versatile Rur bike path! Today, vast open fields dominate alternating with small villages. Not for nothing this fertile landscape was once the granary of the "Holy Roman Empire". The flat bike path usually runs directly on the idyllic shore and some lakes on the way lure with varied bathing breaks. Especially the Effelder Waldsee with its fine sandy beach and the beautiful terrace invite you to take a break before you cross the border. On beautiful Dutch cycle paths you come past the castle Daelenbrook to St. Odilienberg with the remarkable Romanesque basilica. As the grand finale of today's stage, you will reach the Rur mouth in the Maas in the old Hanseatic town of Roermond. The many listed buildings in the city center are dominated by the cathedral and a stroll through the old town will immerse you in the relaxed Dutch way of life.

5. day Roermond – Maastricht 71 km

From now on, the navigable Maas is your companion and new causeways serve as well-developed and signposted bike paths through this diverse water landscape. In the morning, the white town of Thorn, with the listed village center and the beautiful abbey church, attracts visitors to a worthwhile stop. From now on, the river forms the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, and the cycle path repeatedly changes its border. Here is the heart of this special cycling region, nature lovers and recreational athletes will be both happy, because old arms as nature reserves change with Maas-Lake, which allow a variety of water sports. All the area is surrounded by the Maas! Numerous beautiful cafés and shady beer gardens invite you to take a break. Another highlight is the church village "Oud-Rekem", which was named the most beautiful village of Flanders in 2008. Finally you cycle to the medieval university city of Maastricht and dive into the vibrant cultural scene or stroll in the ancient city center between almost 1500 monuments.

6. day Maastricht – Aachen 50 km

Today you can expect a new landscape, because the route leaves the river landscape and leads through the slightly hilly Zuid-Limburg. This is the tourist heart of the southernmost region of the Netherlands and the hub of the border triangle "Netherlands - Germany - Belgium". The varied day's tour leads through historic towns with churches, half-timbered houses and watermills and to castles, manors and country estates, which often entice with romantic retreats. You cycle in the narrow valley of the Geul to Valkenburg, the picturesque excursion destination with old aristocratic seats, preserved city gates, a romantic old town and the unique Fluweelengrotte with its carved in sandstone widely branched corridor system. From here you continue on small roads through this hilly landscape of Holland over Gulpen and Vaals back to Aachen, where the distinctive cathedral can be seen from afar.

7. day Aachen Departure

Today ends the beautiful round trip at the Rur and Maas in the border triangle.

Our gourmet extra:

We spoil you in Rurberg in an atmospheric ambience with a delicious 3-course Eifel menu in the Genießer-Wirtshaus.

Worth knowing about your Aachen: sportive tour through 3 countries

Please find more information about your bike trip "Aachen: sportive tour through 3 countries". If you have any further question please feel free to contact us by phone: +49-(0)6421-886890.

Arrival by train

Aachen is easily accessible by train. We recommend to take a taxi from the station to reach our partner hotels in Aachen. Current schedule information and price information can be found at:

Train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

There are parking spaces near the hotels as well as Park and Ride spaces near to Aachen, from where you can continue with a cheap P + R bus ticket to the city: at the Westfriedhof (Vaalser Straße ), at the Tivoli (Krefelder Straße) and at the Jülicher Straße corner Berliner Ring. You will receive detailed information about the parking facilities at the hotel booked for you with the detailed travel documents two weeks before the start of the journey.

Condition of cycle paths

During this bike tour you will cycle on bike paths (round about 80%) with some hilly stages from 50 to 73 km.

Available rental bikes

If you would like a rental bike for the tour, we will bring it to your starting hotel and, of course, pick it up again at your destination. You can choose from original Velociped women's and men's touring bikes either with 7-speed hub gears and coaster brake or 27-speed derailleur gears and freewheel. Our women's bikes are suitable for all cyclists from a height of 150 cm and men's bikes from 165 cm.

Rental bikes

Extra costs that are not included in the tour price

A certain applicable tourism tax is not included in the travel price and has to be paid at the hotel on site.

7 day hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty suprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

Information on current decisions of the German Federal Government can be found here:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/corona-these-rules-and-restrictions-apply

Current information on entry requirements to Germany can be found here:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Aachen - Baths and Science City

The city of Aachen can look back on a 2000-year history with many sights. Even the Romans settled in Aachen, because they appreciated the thermal springs, which are located below the present city center.

At the market rises the magnificent Gothic town hall, which built the self-confident citizenship of the Free Imperial City in the 14th century on the foundations of the Imperial Palace. Since the 10th century, following the coronations of German emperors in the royal hall of the palace, the coronation banquet had taken place.

The Elisen fountainis a classicistic hall, which was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Here, in two marble drinking fountains, the sulphurous thermal water gushes, which established Aachens reputation as a spa and bathing city.

Aachen sights

Aachen Cathedral and treasury

The Aachen Cathedral is the episcopal church of the Diocese of Aachen and at the same time the most important landmark of the city. Already around 795 the foundation stone was laid. The building was influenced by many style epochs, among other things, the cathedral is characterized by the Gothic choir hall numerous annexes. The Aachen Cathedral was the first building in Germany to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
 
The Aachen Cathedral Treasury is the most important ecclesiastical treasury north of the Alps. In the treasury, about 130 works of art on themes representing the different functional areas of St. Mary's Church are exhibited on three floors.

Aachen Cathedral

Couven Museum

From Rococo to Napoleonic Empire style to Biedermeier – the Couven Museum presents middle class domestic culture and home decor in the heart of Aachen. Since 1958 this building in the centre of Aachen’s historical old town, now called “Haus Monheim”, has housed an exhibition of particularly impressive examples of upper middle class interior decor.

Couven Museum

Couven Museum

"The Vennbahn"

The Vennbahn between Aachen and Troisvierges in the north of Luxembourg, with the unique raised bog Hoes Venn in between, is with its 125 kilometers to the longest railway cycle paths in Europe. It is symbolic of a moving piece of Europe: originally a connection between coalfields in the north and steel huts in the south, then artery in the conflict zone of two world wars, then forgotten, to today to fill the cross-border region with life. Cross-border in the truest sense of the word, because the bike path changes more than a dozen times between Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.

"The Vennbahn"

Rursee (Rur Lake)

The Rursee was put into operation in 1939 and the reservoir is the second largest reservoir in Germany. Special features of the Rurstausees are the island Eichert, the peninsula Tonsberg and the peninsula Eschauel with the same name beach, which can be reached on foot, depending on the water level.

Rursee

Leopold Hoesch Museum Düren

The Leopold Hoesch Museum is an art museum with an outstanding collection of paintings of classical modernism such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Emil Nolde, Alexei Jawlensky, Oskar Kokoschka, Ernst Barlach, Otto Dix. The musem is open Tuesday to Sunday at 10am.

Leopold Hoesch Museum

Jülich old town and citadel

The historic city center with the Witches' Tower, the Bastion of St. James, the castle and its citadel, the market square, the old town hall and many other historic sights can be explored on a tour of the old town.
 
Built by the Italian architect Alessandro Pasqualini in the 16th century, the "palazzo in fortezza" is considered the most important example of the High Renaissance in German-speaking countries. The citadel Jülich was once part of the fortress Jülich and is the most important preserved architectural monument of the city. It is today a four-sided, fortified fortress with a circumference of about 1200 meters. The citadel is surrounded by a 10-meter-deep and 20 to 30-meter-wide, partially water-bearing ditch, from whose base it grows.

Jülich

Roermond

The cityscape is a listed building and is rich in relics of a long history. The city center houses a treasure trove of historic buildings, such as churches and old trading houses. The cityscape is dominated by the 15th-century St. Christoffel Cathedral, which together with the 13th-century Münster Cathedral are landmarks of the city. In addition, the Stadhuis (the town hall), which dates back to 1700, and the 'Minderbroederskerk' (Minorite Church), built in the 15th century, are worth seeing. In the historic center, visitors will find a wide selection of shops and picturesque squares.

Roermond
 
For shopping enthusiasts, a visit to the largest outlet center in the Benelux and Germany is an attraction. It offers fashion and lifestyle of more than 200 international designer brands.

Designer Outlet Roermond

Cuypershuis Roermond

The Cuypershuis, the former home and also the workplace of Pierre Cuypers, is a true cultural treasure and not at all a boring museum. Joyce van Cruchten leads, with a lot of background knowledge and interesting anecdotes, through the 1853 built house. Cuypers, who lived from 1827 to 1921, not only inhabited the home-designed and designed house, but also housed the "Operation" Cuypers. Up to 60 employees were employed here and worked on architectural designs, but above all on sculptures, paintings and furniture mainly for decorating churches.

Cuypershuis

Oud-Rekem - the most beautiful village in Flanders

In 2008 Oud-Rekem was officially named the "most beautiful village in Flanders" by the association "Toerisme Vlaanderen". If you look around there, you will understand why. The Castle d'Aspremont - Lynden, the Museum Church, the Museum Pharmacy, the Destillery of Senden and the numerous historic buildings together form a magnificent historic village that takes you back in time. Also the Drossaerd House, the Gate House, the Court, etc .: they all deserve your interest and you feel like in an open air museum.

Oud - Rekem

Maastricht

The main attraction of Maastricht are the underground tours of the casemates. Another popular attraction is a boat trip on the Maas. In Maastricht, almost everything is different than in the rest of Holland. The legacy of 20 centuries of history is ubiquitous in the historic city center. Wherever you go, the interesting sights, centuries-old churches and beautiful facades will turn your head. During a walk you will see the most beautiful places in the old town. You pass the city walls, the park, the Jekerkwartier, the Vrijthof and many other highlights of Maastricht.

Maastricht

Fort Sint Pieter - Maastricht Underground

The fascinating world of Maastricht Underground is open to visitors year-round. On St. Pietersberg
century. Originally it had a military function and the Maastrichtians defended
themselves here against the French. They succeeded for a long time, but ultimately the city had to surrender. Today you can visit the fort with a guide and then refresh yourself in the restaurant. Visit the underground passageways, the mortar gallery and the secret well during a guided tour stands the Fort St. Pieter, which was built at the beginning of the 18th.

Fort Sint Pieter

Vrijthof Maastricht

With its carefully trimmed ancient trees, the cobbled Vrijthof is now a pretty place to stay. However, this was not always the case because, as the name implies, there used to be a graveyard and later a place of execution. Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims in the Middle Ages on the way to the grave of Servatius of Tongeren and climb the high tower of Sint Janskerk to enjoy the great view over the city. In the Stadttheater am Platz, you can recharge your batteries with a production of plays, or you can mingle with the locals at one of the open-air concerts and the regular events on the square. Definitely allow enough time for a café visit to the square to enjoy the cozy lifestyle of this city.

Vrijthof

Bisschopsmolen

If you walk from the Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein over the small alleyways to the south of the city, you will soon reach Bischofsmühle. The smell of fresh bread and the clatter of the oldest functioning watermill will show you the way. From the bridge over the Jeker the water mill is visible. The mill was owned by Godfried van Bouillon in the 11th century and, after his death, owned by the Liege prince-bishop. The Bisschopsmolengang leads to the back (the facade dates back to 1609), where you can see the wheel of this watermill.

Bisschopsmolen

Valkenburg and the Fluweelengrot

There is a lot to see and do in Valkenburg and surroundings. Valkenburg itself is best known for its marl caves. In Valkenburg, or better, under Valkenburg, a fascinating world opens up in the "community grotto". Here, marl was mined earlier, today visitors can explore - on foot or in a slow train - the caves in which the Romans mined about 2000 years ago marl. Another cave in Valkenburg is the Fluweelengrot, which lies beneath the castle ruins. This labyrinth was discovered in 1937. It used to be an escape for knights and castle dwellers if the castle was occupied by enemies.

Valkenburg