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Cyclists at the lake in BütgenbachPhoto: Dominik Ketz, vennbahn.eu
At the beginning, the route leads you along the foothills of the High Fens. Regardless of the season, the raised bog fascinates with its diverse plant species. It shows itself in colorful splendor in spring and summer, while in winter the gnarled birches with their bizarre silhouettes create a spooky beautiful atmosphere. The Rur and the Kleine Rur meander through this unique raised bog, their valleys carved into the landscape having to be crossed after a few kilometers. The path also crosses the Vennbahn here, which from the national border stretches a lonely and abandoned trail through low-lying, barren fen areas and will later bring you back to the starting point. Initially, however, it continues towards Elsenborn. To the right, there are endless views over the upper catchment area of the Rur, to the left lie the shooting and training fields of the Elsenborn military area. After passing through the Nidrum Heck forest area, you will reach the Bütgenbach reservoir after a few kilometers, one of the most important water sports centers in Belgium and one of the main tourist attractions in East Belgium.
From here, the route continues towards Weywertz. Agricultural land and pasture shape this section of the route. Shortly behind node point 90, the former railway line of the Vennbahn is encountered again. Where once trains transported coal and steel, today cyclists can easily explore the unique low mountain landscape of the Eifel/Ardennes with little climbing. Little reminds of the former operation of the Vennbahn between Aachen and the north of the Grand Duchy. Occasionally abandoned stations such as the well-preserved station building in Sourbrodt, parked wagons or frozen signal systems are witnesses of this eventful time. In elegant curves, the route meanders above the Rur through the landscape and finally brings you back to the starting point in Kalterherberg.
Highlights along the route:
- Bütgenbach Reservoir
- Herba Sana - The Health Garden
- Russian War Cemetery
- Hedgerow Landscape
- Draisine Station Leykaul
Author’s recommendation
Gastronomy along the route
Gastronomy establishments can be found in Kalterherberg and Bütgenbach
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Please stay on the designated paths and be considerate of other path users.Tips and suggestions
Monschauer Land Touristik e.V.
Seeufer 3
52152 Simmerath
Tel: +49 (0)2472 / 804822
Email:info@eifel-tipp.de
Homepage : www.monschauerland.de
For sights in Belgium
Tourism Agency East Belgium
Hauptstraße 54
B-4780 Sankt VithTel. (0032)80 22 76 64
E-Mail: info@eastbelgium.com
Homepage: www.eastbelgium.com
Roadbook
Route Character:
The bike route in the shape of an 8 runs entirely within the Hohes Venn-Eifel Nature Park. About 40% of the route runs over the paved Vennbahn. All other route sections are also mostly well maintained. You start in Leykaul at an altitude of 508 m. During the route, some elevation must be overcome. Especially at the beginning of the route and when crossing the river valleys of the Rur and Warche, steep climbs must be managed, so good basic fitness is required. On the last 12 kilometers, you can then relax while coasting on the well-developed Vennbahn.
Route Course:
The bike route signage is consistently via the node point system in Germany and East Belgium as well as the decommissioned Vennbahn. From the station in Kalterherberg (node point 38) follow the node points 86, 87, 93, 94, 95 to node point 90. From here, proceed towards node point 91 to the Vennbahn and then back to Kalterherberg via the former railway line.
Knotenpunkt 86
Herba Sana – the health garden by Laboratoires Ortis
Knotenpunkt 87 (BE)
Russian cemetery
Knotenpunkt 88 (BE)
Worriken Holiday and Sports Centre
Bütgenbach Lake
Knotenpunkt 90 (BE)
The unique hedgerows of the High Fen
Sourbrodt station – a former commercial hub
Public transport
On Sundays and public holidays, it is recommended to travel from Aachen using the bike bus which in the summer months transports bicycles via Roetgen to Kalterherberg station (direct connection) in a specially designed trailer to the national park region. More information can be found at: www.avv.de/rad
Please note that passengers with strollers and wheelchair users have priority over cyclists at all times. The staff in the vehicles can decide individually about carrying bicycles.
You can get your personal connection information with fare details and transport conditions for traveling by public transport at:
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Use our route planner for individual planning of your car journey and enter "Kalterherberg, Bahnhofstraße" as the destination.Parking
Parking is available in Kalterherberg directly in the town center on Bahnhofstraße as well as at the draisine station.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
With weather-appropriate clothing, enough water and some provisions, you are well equipped for the route.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions