Rhine: Koblenz - Arnhem/NL

History, Industry and the Romantic Rhine

Look forward to this tour full of highlights on the Middle and Lower Rhine to the Netherlands. Marvel at the Drachenfelsen at the foot of the Siebengebirge, visit the old federal capital of Bonn, Cologne Cathedral and in Düsseldorf "the longest bar in the world". You will also cycle along the longest suspension bridge in Germany, the "Golden Gate on the Lower Rhine".

1. day Koblenz Arrival

Koblenz is the beginning city of this cycle tour. You can arrive in comfort and immediately start your first discovery tour: the German Eck, the Electoral Palace, the Old Town.

2. day Koblenz – Bad Honnef 55 km

Relaxed spa resorts and inviting vine villages are competing for your visit today. Or take a break from the bike and the saddle and enjoy a piece of the Rhine from a boat from the water. For those interested in history, a visit to the museum "Brücke von Remagen" is worth a visit before strolling comfortably through the pedestrian zone of Bad Honnef. Enjoy nice cafes and pretty half-timbered houses.

3. day Bad Honnef – Cologne 42 km

At the foot of the Siebengebirge you will pass Bad Godesberg today. You will be amazed by the Drachenfelsen, 250m over the Rhine. Here you can take an exciting trip to the summit with the Drachenfelsbahn, the oldest cogwheel railway in Germany. The old capital of Bonn is also on your way and attracts a lot of sightseeing, before the Cologne cathedral is in the field of view. The tour today is not too long, so you can reach your hotel in the city center at an early stage and still have time to admire the many sights of Cologne.

4. day Cologne – Dusseldorf 53 km

With Cologne humor in the baggage you leave the cathedral city and cycle along the banks of the Rhine till you reach the medieval town of Zons. This fortress city with a city wall still entirely preserved is also called the Rothenburg of the Rhineland'. It features the mighty Rhine Tower from 1388, the Juddeturm with baroque dome and a windmill with a wooden mill from the 17th century. You continue cycling the Rhine cycle path and in the afternoon you reach Düsseldorf's Old Town, also known as "the longest bar in the world'. This expression leads back to the 250 pubs, restaurants and bars, lined up in the streets of the old town. Relax with a real Düsseldorf Altbier at Castle Square and enjoy a wonderful view of the Rhine. This square with the area around the castle tower was named as one of the most beautiful squares in Germany.

5. day Dusseldorf – Duisburg 49 km

Again directly on the Rhine you cycle first to Kaiserswerth with the picturesque ruins of "Kaiserpfalz". Shortly after you take the ferry to cross the river to the left side of the Rhine. Here you take a short sidetrip to see the Moated Castle Linn. The green floodplains drain away and make space for impressive industrial architecture until the cycle path leads on the right side of the Rhine to the river mouth of the Ruhr. From here it is only a short distance to downtown Duisburg. Here it is worthwhile to take a boat tour of the largest inland port in Europe before you let the evening fade away in one of the many bars and restaurants at the harbor and waterfront.

6. day Duisburg – Wesel 47 km

With a short transfer (6 minutes) you get to the district Duisburg Meiderich and from here you can cycle directly to the Landscape Park "Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord" , a 200-hectare disused steelwork. It is possible to take a guided tour about industrial history and climb the blast furnace. Visitors can walk through the former ore bunkers and get explanation about casthouse, Gasometer and Gebläsehalle. After this impressive visit, which certainly is considered a highlight of this bike trip, you follow a comfortable bike path on an old railway line to the River Rhine. After a few kilometers you cycle on the left side of the river through rural idyll and nature reserves at the Lower Rhine to the Hanseatic city of Wesel with his Prussian Museum. A day of biking can not be more varied!

7. day Wesel – Emmerich 52 km

Today the Rhine cycle path leads first to Xanten with the historic downtown, the splendidly decorated St. Victor's Cathedral and the Archaeological Park and Roman Museum, which is by itself worth a trip. From here you continue the route along inviting bathing lakes and enjoy beautiful views of the wild Rhine-current to the amusement park "Wunderland Kalkar". Finally you reach the longest suspension bridge in Germany, also called as Golden Gate on the Lower Rhine. Your destination is the old Hanseatic city of Emmerich.

8. day Emmerich – Arnhem 41 km

Also today's stage holds new impressions ready. Already in the morning you cross by ferry the Rhine to the Dutch side and cycle past the point where the river divides into Waal and Niederrijn. Here one speaks of the Rhine Delta, which extends until the North Sea. Follow the Niederrijn on raised causeways, through locks and bridges to the old city of Arnhem, where you not only enjoy a varied shopping offer. In the Information Centre „Brücke von Arnheim“ you can indulge in history and in the open air museum you can visit more than 80 historic Dutch houses and windmills.

9. day Arnhem Departure

All too soon the time passed and your trip ends after breakfast in Arnhem. There are convenient train connections back to Cologne. Or you can continue your trip Rotterdam (230 km) and follow the last section of the Rhine cycle path on his way from Switzerland to the North Sea.

Worth knowing about your bike trip from Koblenz to Arnhem

Below you will find specific information about the Rhine bike trail Koblenz - Arnheim/ NL. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Koblenz is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. All our partner hotels can be reached by a short taxi ride. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: www.bahn.de.
Train schedule

Parking facilities at your hotel

Our partner hotels in Koblenz mostly have good parking facilities (to be paid locally). In some hotels you have to reserve a parking space.
You will receive detailled information on the parking facilities in your hotel together with the travel information 2 weeks prior to your arrival.

Condition of the cycle paths

The route along the Rhine runs almost exclusively on asphalted and paved hiking and cycling trails or along quiet country roads. Driving in traffic is rare. From Koblenz to Bad Godesberg, the route is marked with white and green signs, which always identify the next town. Also you will see blue signs with a yellow bike. 

Available rental bikes

You can choose between woman’s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 27-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. The bikes are suitable for all ladies from 150 cm in height and for all gentlemen from 165 cm in height. On our Velociped tours we use high-quality e-bikes of the Velo de Ville brand. 
Velociped rental bikes

Back transfer to Koblenz

Every saturday at 8 am you have the possibility to go by transfer back to Koblenz with a small bus (with  bike trailer). Arrival at 12:30 pm. The driver comes to pick you up at your hotel and has much room for you, your luggage and where required your own bicycle. At first you go to Cologne where you have to change the bus. You will leave Cologne by noon.

Extra costs which are not included in the price

A possibly applicable city tax is not part of the travel price and therefore has to be paid at the hotel locally. The ferry boat trips and the train ride in Duisburg are not included in the price.

7 day hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

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.

Das Deutsche Eck Koblenz

Situated in the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Moselle and surrounded by four low mountain ranges is the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historic buildings, its cosy lanes and narrow alleyways, the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and  river promenades make Koblenz a friendly town where its guests feel right at home.

Deutsches Eck Koblenz

Electoral Palace Koblenz

The Electoral Palace in Koblenz is one of the most important palatial buildings in the French early Classicism style in south-western Germany, and is one of the last residential palaces that was built in Germany shortly before the French revolution.
Today, the middle section of the palace offers exclusive rooms for festive banquets, meetings and family celebrations.
The exclusive Grand Café is open to all and invites you to come and visit. Up towards the Rhine, there are also freely accessible, beautiful terraced gardens.

Electoral Palace

Mineral springs in Bad Honnef

The wine wholesaler Karl Weckbecker noticed on his property in the winter always remaining areas and had 1897 test drilling. The first mineral spring Bad Honnefs was drilled, the 249 meter deep dragon source. Effective against stomach, intestine, liver, gall, metabolic, cardiovascular diseases, spinal injuries and obesity. It was the birth of the future spa, the spa and bath Honnef.

Die Drachenquelle

Cologne Cathedral

It can be seen from nearly every point in the city centre and from many places elsewhere: The magnificent Cologne Cathedral hovers above the roofs and chimneys of the city. It is not only used as a point of orientation but is the pride of the people in Cologne. The panorama of the city has been dominated by the Cathedral's gigantic pair of towers (the North Tower (157.38 m) is 7 cm higher than the South Tower) since their completion in 1880. The Cathedral is still the second highest building in Cologne after the telecommunications tower. Its footprint is no less impressive, with the full length of the Cathedral measuring 145 m and the cross nave 86 m. In comparison, a football pitch is "only" around 100 by 70 m. The total area of the Cathedral measures almost 8000 square metres and has room for more than 20,000 people.

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Museum Ludwig

Roy Lichtenstein's M-Maybe, Andy Warhol's Brillo Boxes and George Segal's Restaurant Window, all icons of American Pop Art, had all just been completed when in 1969 they arrived as a loan at Wallraf-Richartz-Museum. The works come from Peter and Irene Ludwig, who had put together the largest Pop Art collection outside of the USA. The Museum Ludwig is devoted to modern art from the beginning of the 20th century. There usually are two or more temporary exhibitions.  

Cologne Museum Ludwig 

Neuss

You'll see, Neuss is worth the trip. The Rhenish way of life, the rich history and the diverse cultural offer have always been inspiring our visitors. Immerse yourself in the history of one of the oldest cities in Germany, stroll, taste Rhineland specialties or use Neuss as a base for excursions to the charming Lower Rhine countryside and the neighboring cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Neuss

Medienhafen Düsseldorf

In contrast to other cities, when modernising its harbour, Düsseldorf didn't just attempt to wipe the slate clean, but decided to treat each lot individually and adapt it to its future users. Which meant that its docklands weren't forced into a uniform corset. Instead such internationally famous architects as Frank O. Gehry, David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi were given an empty canvas to make their creative contribution to the skyline. Düsseldorf Marketing & Tourismus offers exciting tours through the MedienHafen.

Düsseldorf MedienHafen

Landscape Park Duisburg Nord

In the Landscape Park Duisburg Nord extending over an area of about 180 hectares, nature, industrial heritage and a fascinating light installation combine to create a park landscape unlike any other in the world. At the centre stands a disused ironworks whose old industrial facilities have today been put to a wide variety of uses. The huge buildings of the former ironworks have been equipped to cater for cultural and corporate functions; in an old gasometer Europe’s biggest man-made diving centre has been created; alpine climbing gardens have been created in ore storage bunkers; in a former casting house a high ropes course has been set up; and an extinguished blast furnace has been modified to provide a viewing tower.

The Landscape Park is open throughout the year and with no time limitations. Entry to the park site is free.

Landscape Park Duisburg Nord

Archeological Open-Air-Museum

An archaeological open-air museum is a non-profit permanent institution with outdoor true-to-scale architectural reconstructions primarily based on archaeological sources. It holds collections of intangible hertige resources and provides an interpretation of how people lived and acted in the past; this is accomplished according to sound scientific methods for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment of its visitors.

Xanten archaeological open-air museum

Emmerich

Emmerich the beautiful city on the Rhine has many attractions to offer. For example, the beautiful St. Martin's Church with the treasury or the 1000 year old St. Vitus Church. Also worth seeing is the Rhine promenade. The Drususbrunnen on Eltenberg attracts also numerous tourists.Not to forget the museums. The Rhine Museum with more than 130 ship models, or the poster museum with over 90,000 posters are always worth a visit. Who likes to relax can walk on H. Borghees in the beautiful park and at the same time look at the little castle.

Emmerich

Emmerich Rhine Bridge

The Emmerich Rhine Bridge is a suspension bridge completed in 1965, it has a main span of 500 metres (1,600 ft), crossing the Rhine, carrying the Bundesstrasse B 220, the federal highway between Emmerich am Rhein and Kleve. It is the longest suspension bridge in Germany.

Emmerich Rhine Bridge

Open-Air Museum Arnhem

The Netherlands Open Air Museum is full of stories. They are hidden in the historic houses, mills and farmhouses you will find in the museum park, as well as in our work, lives, customs and traditions. We bring these stories - yours and ours - to life during a visit to the museum. Here you can immerse yourself in the past and get to know our history - as well as your own.

Netherlands Arnheim Open Air Museum