Radreise 07: Venn-Eifel-Mosel

• Elevation gain: ▲approx. 1,667 m ▼approx. 1,667 m

• Overnight Stay in Trier

The tour begins with an overnight stay 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.

• Bike Tour Along the Sauer, Prüm, and Nims Bike Trails
• Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 245 m | ▼ Descent approx. 24 m

The Eifel’s natural landscape is crisscrossed by a large number of rivers and streams. Over millions of years, these waterways have carved deep into the Eifel’s low mountain range landscape. Many of them run right alongside cycling routes. This is also the case on this stage, which takes you through the unique landscape along the Sauer, Prüm, and Nims rivers.

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 prominent premium breweries.

• Bike Ride Along the Kyll Bike Trail
• Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 368 m | ▼ Descent approx. 348 m

Impressive structures such as the keep and the collegiate church of Kyllburg, Malberg Castle, the Cistercian convent in St. Thomas, and Bertrada Castle are located along the route or can be reached via short detours.

In the area surrounding the densely forested Kyll Valley, particularly around Birresborn, you’ll find caves and natural landmarks as well as well-known healing springs. Fresh mineral water bubbles up from a depth of about 90 m at the Helene Spring near the Gerolstein town hall and can be drunk for free (from April through October) from the brass faucet.

• Bike Tour Along the Kyll Bike Path and RAVeL L45a
• Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 313 m | ▼ Descent approx. 109 m

Gerolstein is surrounded by a forested valley landscape characterized by massive dolomite cliffs and nearly 20 extinct volcanoes.

Cycling along the Kyll Bike Trail, you head toward Belgium and straight into the landscape of the Hohes Venn-Eifel Nature Park, characterized by raised bogs, fens, heaths, and forests. The word “Venn” comes from Latin and means swamp or marsh. Wooden walkways, signs, and flags make it clear: here, both people and the moor must be protected from one another.

• Bike Tour on the Vennbahn and the Eifel-Ardennes Bike Trail
• Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 409 m | ▼ Descent approx. 119 m

For over a century, the Vennbahn served as the rail link between Aachen and northern Luxembourg. Today, it is one of the longest former railroad-turned-bike paths in Europe.

The Eifel-Ardennes Bike Trail also follows a former railroad right-of-way and is now a symbol of the close ties between the German-Belgian border region; it connects—geographically as well—the Ardennes mountain plateau with the Eifel.

Don’t miss out on Belgian fries, which you can get at one of the many “fritures.” In addition to fries, Belgium is also known for its waffles and beer.

• Bike Tour on the Eifel-Ardennes Bike Trail and the Enz Bike Trail
• Elevation gain: ▲ Ascent approx. 229 m | ▼ Descent approx. 460 m

Deeply incised river valleys and ridges reaching up to 570 m characterize the “rugged” Islek, a cross-border region in the tri-border area of Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium. Since the route runs almost exclusively along former railroad tracks, you can glide quite leisurely on your bike from the Islek through the Südeifel Nature Park and on into the “mild” Bitburger Gutland with its sun-drenched, colorful orchard meadows.

Near Holsthum lies Rhineland-Palatinate’s only hop-growing region. Here, hop farmer Andreas Dick ensures that the Siegel hops grown there are used exclusively for Bitburger’s premium beers.

• Bike Tour Along the Prüm and Sauer Bike Trails
• Elevation: ▲ Ascent approx. 130 m | ▼ Descent approx. 187 m
• Departure
• Optional: Extra night in Trier (upon request)

Between Holsthum and Irrel, you’ll ride right past hop poles that stand up to 8 m tall. This is a particularly memorable experience during the hop-blooming season, from late May to mid-September.

In the lower reaches of the Prüm, the river has carved deeply into the sandstone, creating a gorge-like valley. When massive rockfalls were triggered during the last Ice Age, the famous Devil’s Gorge, west of the Prüm, was also formed.

Another particularly remarkable site is the Igeler Säule (Igeler Column) from the 3rd century, which has survived over the centuries only because of a misinterpretation of the family portrait on its front.