Itinerary
- Day 1
Aachen
You'll arrive in Aachen and have time to walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, which is really the heart of this historic city. The cathedral itself is worth spending a good hour or two inside, checking out the architecture and learning about its significance. After that, head to a local café or pastry shop to try Aachener Printen, the region's famous gingerbread-like pastries. You can find these in all sorts of flavors, so grab a few different ones to see what you like best.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Aachen Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Taste Aachener Printen pastries
Landmarks Aachen Cathedral - Day 2
Aachen to Jülich
Start by catching a train to Eschweiler, then you'll get on your bike and cycle along the small Inde river. Stop at the Indemann viewing platform to see the Inden open-cast lignite mine from above, which gives you a perspective on the region's industrial side. From there, you'll ride past Lucherberger See lake and then follow the Rur river as it leads you toward Jülich. The citadel there makes for a nice stop before you finish the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycle tour along Inde river (approximately 35 km)
- Visit Indemann viewing platform overlooking Inden open-cast lignite mine
Landmarks Lucherberger See Jülich Citadel - Day 3
Jülich to Effeld
This is a full day on the RurUfer cycle path, and you'll be riding through farmland and small villages the whole time. The path follows the river closely, so the scenery stays pretty consistent and nice. Along the way, you can stop for swimming breaks at the quarry ponds if the weather's good, and Effelder Waldsee even has a terrace near where you're staying, which makes for an easy lunch spot or afternoon break.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycle tour along RurUfer cycle path (approximately 41 km)
- Swimming breaks at quarry ponds including Effelder Waldsee
Landmarks Effelder Waldsee - Day 4
Effeld to Maaseik
Today you cross into the Netherlands and follow excellent Dutch cycle paths that are really well-maintained. You'll pass Daelenbrook Castle and Sankt Odilienberg basilica as you go. Roermond comes next, where you can walk around the cathedral and pedestrian zone for a bit. After that, follow the Meuse embankment through different landscapes until you reach Thorn with its abbey church. By evening you'll arrive in Maaseik, Belgium, so you'll have cycled through three countries in one day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycle tour through Netherlands and Belgium (approximately 55 km)
- Visit Daelenbrook Castle
- Visit Sankt Odilienberg Romanesque basilica
- Explore Roermond city center and cathedral
- Visit Thorn abbey church and listed village center
Landmarks Daelenbrook Castle Sankt Odilienberg Roermond Cathedral Thorn Abbey Church - Day 5
Maaseik to Maastricht
You'll cycle along the Meuse river and cross the border multiple times through the narrowest section of the Netherlands. The landscape has oxbow lakes and nature reserves, and there are water sports options if you want to stop and try something. Oud-Rekem, a small village that was voted the most beautiful in Flanders back in 2008, is worth a visit. Later you'll reach Maastricht, a medieval university city with about 1500 historic monuments and the Gothic St. John's Church to explore in the center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycle tour along Meuse valley (approximately 44 km)
- Visit Oud-Rekem village
- Explore Maastricht historic city center
- Visit Sint Janskerk (St. John's Church)
Landmarks Oud-Rekem Sint Janskerk - Day 6
Maastricht to Aachen
This stretch takes you away from the river and into Zuid-Limburg, where the terrain gets a bit hillier. You'll see historic towns, half-timbered houses, watermills, castles, and country estates scattered throughout. The Geul valley is your main route as you head toward Valkenburg, which has a gallery system built into the hillside. From there, you cycle back toward Aachen by way of Vaals, ending the region's quieter side.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycle tour through Zuid-Limburg (approximately 45 km)
- Visit Valkenburg galleries
Optional Activities
- Explore historic towns and half-timbered houses
- Visit castles and fortresses
- Visit country estates
Landmarks Valkenburg - Day 7
Aachen
The round trip along the two rivers across three countries finishes up in Aachen today. You'll retrace some familiar territory and return to where you started, bringing the whole loop to a close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
