The cycle tour from Aachen to Trier combines the Vennbahn, Enz and Sauer cycle paths. The cycle paths are in very good condition, fully signposted and almost entirely tarmac.
Around two thirds run along former railway lines with maximum gradients of less than three per cent. Only the Enz cycle path south of Neuerburg has short steep sections. The route often runs away from roads, but also away from towns and villages.
GPS data
You can find the GPX track for this tour in the MYBIKE Collection on komoot
Stages
Day 1: Aachen Rothe Erde - Monschau, 50 km, 400 m elevation gain
The first few kilometres are a playground for the people of Aachen. The Vennbahn cycle path climbs steadily. From the heights of the Eifel, the route then descends steeply to Monschau.
Day 2: Monschau - St. Vith, 45 km, 250 m elevation gain
From the centre via the Perlenbach valley to the High Fens. The Belgian border goes almost unnoticed in the secluded forest.
Day 3: St. Vith - Neuerburg, 50 km, 300 m elevation gain
We leave the Vennbahn cycle path in St. Vith. It gets quieter at Prüm and Enz, but thanks to the railway line it remains flat at first. Only the visit to Neuerburg Castle leads over a brutal ramp.
Day 4: Neuerburg - Trier, 75 km, 100 m elevation gain
Varied, undulating side roads lead to Irrel. If you want to add a third country to your tour experience, cycle along the western (Luxembourg) side of the Sûre towards the Moselle.
Food
Neuerburg: Burgkeller, Kirchgasse 3, Tel. 06564/9669545
Inconspicuous from the outside, inside simply and modernly renovated vaults. Excellent food at a medium price level.
Monschau: Zum Haller, Eschbachstraße 4, Tel. 02472/804700
Very friendly restaurant pub in a half-timbered house directly on the Rur. German-Mediterranean food mix.
Good, inexpensive, plentiful.
Accommodation tips
Monschau: Hotel Royal
A truly misleading name for a family-run hotel on Monschau's promenade. Double room/F 80 euros; www.hotelroyal.de
Neuerburg: "Zum Burgfried"
The modern holiday flats are also available for one night. Cordial "bed + bike" operation. Possibly without breakfast buffet in future. Holiday apartments from 50 euros. Tel. 065 64/ 93 00 20; www.zum-burgfried.de
St. Vith: Hotel Steineweiher
The charm of this rather dignified hotel (with an equally dignified restaurant) is its location in its own park by two lakes. Wonderfully quiet. Double room/F 96 euros. Tel. 0032/80227270; www.steineweiher.be
Trier: Hotel Igeler Säuler, www.igelersaeule.de
Worth seeing
Botrange Nature Park Centre, Waimes; Tel. +32 (0)80 44 03 00; www.botrange.be
If you want to understand and experience the High Fens, you are 4 kilometres from the cycle path. Exhibitions and
moorland hiking trails.
Tour combinations
Moselle Cycle Route, Rurufer Cycle Route, Green Route, SaarLorLux Cycle Route, Saar Cycle Route
Info
The extremely well-structured website of Eifel Tourismus (www.eifel.info; Tel. 06551/ 96560) contains all the important information for cyclists - including GPS data.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 4/2017.
