Benelux by bike: from the Netherlands to Luxembourg

MAASTRICHT

Free arrival in Maastricht, Netherlands. Discover your accommodation and enjoy your evening in the city.

From MAASTRICHT to AACHEN 39km 340m

You leave Maastricht on the bridge over the Meuse, from where you follow a cycle route.
You then cycle through the beautiful agricultural fields, meadows and orchards that make up the verdant region of South Limburg. Gentle rolling hills line your route. You then reach the foot of the Vaalserberg, the country’s highest mountain at 322 metres. This is where the borders of 3 countries meet: the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
On the other coast, you arrive in Aachen.

Its well-preserved historic center can be explored on foot. Here you find the Gothic town hall, the market square, the famous bronze fountains and, above all, the sumptuous cathedral, home to Charlemagne’s tomb.

• For a few more km 42km 420m

  This variant takes you up to the summit of the Vaalserberg.

From AACHEN to MONSCHAU 43km 470m

You leave the city on the Vannbahn bicycle path, which replaces the old rails. You pass through the village of Kornelimünster, a former pilgrimage site, or the Siegfried Line (a German anti-tank defense line in the shape of dragons’ teeth).

Ride along cycle paths winding through the vast forests of the Eifel, a national park with a history stretching back thousands of years.

At the end of the day, you reach the town of Monschau, which, with its countless half-timbered houses and superb historic center closed to traffic, takes you on a journey back to the Germany of yesteryear.

From MONSCHAU to WAIMES 31km 380m

You start the day riding along the wild Rur valley on a beautiful gravel track before reaching the Hautes-Fagnes.

Then you reach the Signal de Botrange, a panoramic viewpoint at 694m that will delight nature lovers. On the way back down, discover the medieval Reinhardstein castle, lost in the middle of the forest.

• For a few more km 58km 680m

  This variant takes you to the shores of Lake Bütgenbach, where you can enjoy a range of sporting activities.

From WAIMES to TROISVIERGES 51km 490m

Ride along the Vennbahn for most of the day. Along the way, you have the opportunity to visit an authentic slate quarry, taking you right down to the bottom of the underground mine.

You gradually approach the Luxembourg border, passing over a small hill that is also Luxembourg’s highest point, the Kneiff, at 560 m altitude.

Then you reach Troisvierges, a commune in the heart of the Our Nature Park, in the middle of the Luxembourg Ardennes.

• For a few more km 62km 780m

  This version of the route takes you on a detour to Falize Bluff, offering superb views over the Warche valley. A more hilly variant if you want to warm up your thighs a bit more.

From TROISVIERGES to ECHTERNACH 53km 630m

You start your day with a train transfer to Wilwerwiltz (train travel is free in Luxembourg!). Cycling through the Our valley, you arrive in the town of Vianden, where we recommend a visit to the castle, built between the 11th and 14th centuries. You then follow a small river until it flows into the Sûre. This takes you to the country’s oldest town, Echternach, in the heart of Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland.

• For a few more km 63km 830m

  You can also opt for the more sporty variant, which allows you to visit and admire the Beaufort castle.

From ECHTERNACH to LUXEMBOURG 44km 490m

To start the day, you can visit the Gorges du Loup on foot.

You then leave Echternach via a cycle path on a disused railway line, to reach the Ernz Noire valley, where you can admire the Schiessentümpel waterfall.

From here, you can cycle back to Luxembourg.
Unesco-listed in 1994, Luxembourg is now known as the “green heart of Europe”, in reference to its many green spaces.

LUXEMBOURG

End of your stay after breakfast.

Have a safe trip back!