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Cyclist Via BelgicaPhoto: Patrick Gawandtka
The imperial roads were the main arteries of the Roman Empire: on 100,000 kilometers, the solidly constructed road network enabled the transport of people, messages, and trade goods from all over the world across rivers, mountains and cultural borders. Set out to discover the Erlebnisraum Römerstraße and embark on a journey through time along the Roman long-distance road Via Belgica.
The Romans laid the imperial road from Cologne to Boulogne-sur-Mer on the English Channel (Portus Britannicus) - wherever the terrain permitted - in a straight line. The straight Aachen road leads out of Cologne. The Roman burial chamber in Weiden is a highlight along the way. In the forest near Frechen-Königsdorf, the Roman road embankment is preserved over kilometers. After the ascent to the Ville, it continues flat over Elsdorf and Niederzier, but today the Hambach open-cast mine must be bypassed. The milestone station at Sophienhöhe offers a chance to rest, then Jülich awaits with the famous citadel. The Citadel Museum provides information about the Roman road with the modern name "Via Belgica". After several kilometers through the fields near Aldenhoven and Baesweiler, you finally reach the hilly border area to the Netherlands at Übach-Palenberg. Here, a detour to Burg Rode in Herzogenrath is worthwhile. Take your time and experience the 93 km between Cologne and Übach-Palenberg in a total of 3 day stages. This leaves enough time to explore both the archaeological monuments along the route and the sights in the surrounding area.
Stage suggestions:
Stage 1: Cologne - Quadrath-Ichendorf
Stage 2: Quadrath-Ichendorf - Jülich
Stage 3: Jülich - Übach-Palenberg
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Please stay on the designated paths.Tips and suggestions
Further information is available from the municipalities along the route and on the homepage
Roadbook
Signage
The route is completely marked with the route logo.
In addition, the route is equipped with various information elements. Information pillars explain the course and structure of the roads, the archaeological monuments along the way, and sights in the surrounding area that are worth a detour. The course of the actual Roman road itself is marked on site in many places by column oaks, especially where the ancient road itself no longer exists today. Concrete arrows embedded in the ground mark places where the cycling and hiking route crosses the course of the Roman road. Mile markings make it possible to read the respective distance from the starting point of the road in Cologne at certain locations.
Route character
The route is relatively flat as it mostly leads through the flat Bördelandschaft. The only steeper sections to overcome are between Frechen and Bergheim. The route mostly leads through agriculturally used farmland, on paved sections as well as unpaved field and forest paths.
Sophienhöhe
Zitadelle Jülich
Brückenkopf-Park Jülich
Burg Dürboslar
CarlAlexanderPark viewing platform
Rode Castle
Rimburg Castle
Public transport
The start and end points of the Via Belgica are easily accessible by train.Get Timetable to destination
Directions
For individual planning of your car arrival, use our route planner. For navigation devices, please enter "Kurt Hackenberg Platz 2, Cologne" (address of the parking garage).Parking
You can park your car in the paid Dom parking garage. The parking garage is well signposted via the Cologne parking guidance system.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Susanne Jenter
Via Belgica – From Cologne to Rimburg in 7 stages
12 cm x 20.5 cm, paperback, 192 pages with 168 color illustrations and 8 maps
ISBN: 978-3-7616-2783-9
14.95 Euro
Also available as e-book
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
With a good bike, weather-appropriate clothing, enough water, and some snacks, you are well equipped for the route.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions