• Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dennis Stratmann

Radreise 03: Kaiser.Genuss - kurz | Aachen - Bitburg

Cycling trip
6 daysFrom 449.00 €
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✔Early-bird discount through Feb. 28, 2027 ✔Fall special ✔6 days ✔approx. 184 km ✔from Aachen to Bitburg ✔Packed lunches


Book by February 28, 2027, at a special rate starting at €435.00

Hop on your bike and let the journey unfold, enjoy the boundless natural landscape, immerse yourself in history, and be enchanted—the Imperial Tour from Aachen is a delightful journey. The Vennbahn, Eifel-Ardennes, and Prüm bike trails combine to form a truly majestic cycling tour, effortlessly crossing borders and tempting you with regional delicacies at your evening accommodations—from Belgian fries to Monschau mustard to Eifel Döppekooche.

Set off for a region that has imperial stories to tell! Architectural masterpieces, created by human hands, and pristine trails, created by nature, come together to form a journey into an eventful past. Inspired by Aachen Cathedral, where Charlemagne had himself crowned emperor, or the St. Salvator Basilica in Prüm, which the emperor had magnificently adorned, cyclists can ride comfortably along many former railroad tracks all the way to Bitburg, whose history dates back even further than Emperor Charles V: all the way back to Roman times. At the end of the tour, cyclists can reminisce about their eventful journey while enjoying a freshly tapped beer. Those who wish can extend the tour by two days and experience more imperial stories on the way to Trier.

Impressions

Travel itinerary

Total length of the route: 184 km

  1. Total distance: Aachen – Bitburg | approx. 184 km

    • Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 1,412 m | ▼ Descent approx. 1,246 m

    1. Day 1: Arrival

      The tour begins with an overnight stay in Aachen.

      For centuries, Aachen Cathedral—whose construction even involved the devil—served as the coronation site for German kings and emperors. On a guided city tour through historic squares and narrow alleys, you’ll learn more about the many facets of this city located at the tri-border region of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

      1. Day 2: Aachen – Monschau | approx. 50 km

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

        The Vennbahnis one of the longest former railroad-turned-bike paths in Europe and winds through Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg with minimal elevation changes.

        After the hustle and bustle of Aachen, the former abbey town of Kornelimünster awaits with its medieval setting. In the German-Belgian border region, the border lines begin to shift back and forth. On this stage, you’ll cross the border between Belgium and Germany several times. The destination is the former cloth-making town of Monschau, with its idyllic half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, and cobblestone streets. Be sure to try Monschau’s specialties: mustard, Printen, and Dütchen.

        1. Cyclists on the Reichenstein viaduct of the Vennbahn in the sunshine.
          Copyright: vennbahn.eu
          Cycling

          The Vennbahn

          Aachen
          Distance:128.2 km Duration:12:00 h Difficulty:Easy

          125 kilometres stretching from Aachen to Troisvierges in the north of Luxembourg

          learn more about: The Vennbahn

      2. Day 3: Monschau – St. Vith (B) | approx. 44 km

        • Bike Tour Along the Vennbahn Bike Trail
        • Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 278 m | ▼ Descent approx. 243 m

        Between Monschau and Waimes, you’ll get your first glimpse of the unique high moor landscape of the Hohe Venn—which is also where the Vennbahn gets its name.

        Don’t miss out on the Belgians’ fried delight: Belgian fries, available at one of the many “fritures.” The last stand before crossing back into Germany is, of course, also signposted from the bike path.

        1. Cyclists on the Reichenstein viaduct of the Vennbahn in the sunshine.
          Copyright: vennbahn.eu
          Cycling

          The Vennbahn

          Aachen
          Distance:128.2 km Duration:12:00 h Difficulty:Easy

          125 kilometres stretching from Aachen to Troisvierges in the north of Luxembourg

          learn more about: The Vennbahn

      3. Day 4: St. Vith (B) – Prüm | approx. 40 km

        • Bike Tour Along the Eifel-Ardennes Bike Trail and the Prüm Bike Trail
        • Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 183 m | ▼ Descent approx. 207 m

        The Eifel-Ardennes Bike Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way that was built during the imperial era. Even today, it remains a symbol of the close ties within this region in the heart of Europe and also geographically connects the Ardennes mountain plateau with the Eifel.

      4. Day 5: Prüm – Bitburg | approx. 50 km

        • Bike Tour Along the Prüm Bike Trail
        • Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 446 m | ▼ Descent approx. 528 m

        The Prüm, the second-longest river in the Eifel after the Kyll, runs alongside this stage all the way to its destination, Bitburg. In the Prüm Valley near Holsthum—Rhineland-Palatinate’s only hop-growing region—hop plants grow to heights of up to 8 meters. You can learn more about the “green gold” from the Southern Eifel at the Bitburger Erlebniswelt.

      5. Day 6: Departure

        After breakfast, the “Kaiser.Genuss” cycling tour comes to an end—briefly in Bitburg.

        If you’re curious about Bitburg’s history, follow the multimedia archaeological trail through the city center after breakfast.

        Further information

        Request a quote

        You can request the offer "Radreise 03: Kaiser.Genuss - kurz | Aachen - Bitburg" from the provider Eifel Tourismus GmbH here.

        October 15, 2026 to November 30, 2027

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