Radreise 02: Kaiser.Genuss | Aachen-Trier

• Elevation gain: ▲ approx. 1,218 m | ▼ approx. 1,237 m

• Overnight stay in Aachen
• Upon request: Participation in a public guided tour of Aachen

• Bike Tour Along the Vennbahn Bike Trail
• Elevation gain: ▲ approx. 409 m | ▼ approx. 119 m

As one of Europe’s longest former railroad-turned-bike paths, the Vennbahn winds its way through Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg with few steep inclines. For over a century, it served as the rail link between Aachen and northern Luxembourg.

The hustle and bustle of Aachen quickly gives way to the peaceful suburban idyll of the former abbey town of Kornelimünster. On this stage, you’ll cross the border between Belgium and Germany several times. The former cloth-making town of Monschau enchants visitors with its half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, cobblestone streets, and culinary specialties. Mustard, Printen, and Dütchen are a must-try.

• Bike Tour Along the Vennbahn Bike Trail
• Elevation gain: ▲ approx. 241 m | ▼ approx. 76 m

Between Monschau and Bütgenbach, you’ll get your first glimpse of the unique high moor landscape of the Hohe Venn, which also gave the Vennbahn its name.

A visit to one of the many “fritures” is a quintessentially Belgian experience. The last food stand before the German border is also signposted from the bike path. In addition to fries, Belgium is also known for its beer—it boasts one of the widest varieties in the world.

• Bike tour along the Ravel L45a, a branch of the Vennbahn Bike Trail and the Kyll Bike Trail
• Elevation gain: ▲ approx. 176 m | ▼ approx. 376 m

Following the route of the former Venn-Querbahn railway, you’ll enjoy a leisurely ride through Bütgenbach, past its viaduct and lake. Via Büllingen and Losheimergraben, you reach the connection to the Kyll Bike Path, which follows the course of the wild and romantic little Eifel river. Flat sections alternate with gently rolling stretches.

The destination, Gerolstein, is known for more than just mineral water. The “city of springs” is dominated by a massive, vertically rising dolomite cliff face visible from afar. These cliffs were formed around 380 million years ago when a warm, subtropical shallow sea covered this area, in which massive reefs of stromatoporoids and corals developed.

• Bike Tour Along the Kyll Bike Path
• Elevation gain: ▲ approx. 346 m | ▼ approx. 366 m

Munterley, Hustley, Drohende Ley (“Ley” means rock), Große Kanzel, and Auberg—with these striking rock formations behind you, this stage leads to Gerolstein in the narrow, deeply carved valley of the Kyll.

Once you arrive at your destination, you can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste what makes the Bitburger beer so special at the Bitburger Erlebniswelt. The Bitburger Brewery, founded in 1817 in the Southern Eifel, is one of Germany’s most important premium breweries.

• Bike Tour Along the Nims, Prüm, and Sauer Bike Trails
• Elevation gain: ▲ approx. 67 m | ▼ approx. 266 m
• Upon request: Participation in a public guided tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city

A large number of rivers and streams crisscross the Eifel. Over millions of years, these waterways have carved deep channels into the low mountain range landscape of the Eifel. Many run right alongside cycling routes. This is also the case on this stage, which takes you through the countryside along the Nims and Sauer rivers.

The final stage ends in Trier. Founded in 16 B.C., Augusta Treverorum holds the title of “Germany’s oldest city.” The people of Trier are proud of their “Pochta”—as the Porta Nigra, the Roman city gate, is called in the Moselle Franconian dialect—as well as the Basilica, the Amphitheater, and the Imperial Baths. Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites are within walking distance in and around the city center.

After breakfast, the "Kaiser.Genuss" cycling tour comes to an end.

We’d be happy to reserve discounted tickets for you to join a public guided tour in Trier.