The path to your personal time-out. A loop trail through the towns of Brüggen, Niederkrüchten, and Schwalmtal—a chance to take a deep breath, unwind, and get some distance from everyday life.
The idea: People are on the move. You seek out nature to get some distance, need a break from the daily grind, take some time off, reflect on what really matters, enjoy life, and catch your breath. A themed trail offers guidance to help you experience this time away. It can be explored by bike and consists of a total of 12 stations, each with a different theme. They invite you to linger. There you’ll find texts offering reflections on various occasions. The trail connects to the existing network of paths in our three municipalities: Brüggen, Niederkrüchten, and Schwalmtal. The Catholic and Protestant churches, together with the local municipalities, are responsible for this trail. To mark each station, a large doorframe made of Corten steel has been installed. Additionally, there is a bench at each location for resting and a display case with informational materials.
Funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Author’s recommendation
Sit back, let your gaze wander, and enjoy your time off.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Genholter HofTino´s Eiscafé
Cafe & Restaurant Ambiente
Tips and suggestions
Tip for a quick break from your daily routine:
Pastor Bernd on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRrCey7NC-mD_keqH5aJTw?app=desktop
Roadbook
The route leads from Herrenlandpark in Brüggen directly to the church in Lüttelbracht, where the next “AuszeitPunkt” is located. From there, the trail heads back a short distance before continuing toward Bracht. You’ll find the next “AuszeitPunkt” in the park on Breyeller Straße. The route now takes you through Alst and Born, past Lake Borner to the “Drei Gemeinden Eck,” the next stop. The route continues through Laar to the next “AuszeitPunkt” at the little chapel. From there, the trail leads directly to the small island castle on Harik Lake, where the next “AuszeitPunkt” awaits you. The trail then follows dirt roads to Amern and on to the Catholic church, where the “AuszeitPunkt” is located. A short time later, you’ll reach the next stop at the Protestant church. From there, the route leads to Waldniel and Häsenberg, to the Protestant cemetery where the next “AuszeitPunkt” has been set up. Now the tour continues to Niederkrüchten to the park at Lindbruch, where another “AuszeitPunkt” awaits you. Via Boscherhausen, the route leads to Elmpt and “Haus Elmpt,” where you’ll find the penultimate AuszeitPunkt on your route. From there, the path takes you straight to Overhetfeld and the chapel at the final stop on your journey. From there, the trail leads you back toward Brüggen.
You can join the route at any AuszeitPunkt. The official starting point is the “Drei-Gemeinden-Eck,” though there are no parking spaces available there.
Auszeitweg Station 2: Hoffnung durch Begegnung
Auszeitweg Station 10: Hoffnung über Generationen hinweg
Auszeitweg Station 12: Die leise Kraft der Hoffnung
Auszeitweg Station 4: Im Dunkeln leuchtet ein Licht
Auszeitweg Station 5: Hoffnung als Widerstandskraft
Auszeitweg Station 3: Jugend und Zukunft
Auszeitweg Station 9: Kunst als Ausdruck von Hoffnung
Auszeitweg Station 8: Natur und Hoffnung
Auszeitweg Station 11: Hoffnung als spirituelle Kraft
Auszeitweg Station 7: Hoffnung im Wandel
Auszeitweg Station 6: Aufbruch in der Stille
Wohnmobilstellplatz Burggemeinde Brüggen „Borner Straße“
Heide Resort Brüggen
Heide Resort Brüggen
Hof Michiels
Public transport
SB 84 from Lobberich via Boisheim Station to Brüggen.
SB 88 from Viersen to Brüggen.
Route 067 from Süchteln via Dülken Station, Boisheim, and Schaag to Brüggen.
Line 072 from Waldniel/School Center via Niederkrüchten-Elmpt (Old Customs House) and Brüggen to Brüggen/Bracht.
Route 074 from Süchteln via Dülken and Schwalmtal to Brüggen.
From Mönchengladbach to Waldniel/Kirche on the SB 83 or 013, then transfer to the 074
Directions
Take the A52 highway from Düsseldorf toward Roermond and exit at Niederkrüchten (Exit 3). At the traffic light, turn left onto Federal Highway 221 toward Nettetal/Brüggen. After about 3 kilometers, you’ll reach Brüggen.
On the A61 highway from Koblenz toward Venlo, take the Kaldenkirchen-Süd exit (number 3) and continue straight through the roundabout onto Federal Highway 221. After 3 kilometers, you’ll reach Bracht, and after about 8 kilometers, you’ll reach the center of Brüggen.
Parking
Free parking is available along the route in all three municipalities (Brüggen, Niederkrüchten, Schwalmtal).
Coordinates
Recommended maps for this region:
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions