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Highlights
Cycle in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg on this 8-day self-guided tour
Tackle two of Europe’s most beautiful cycle paths on the Luxembourg-Maastricht and Vennbahn Rail Trail bike routes.
Discover four unique European cultures as you cycle through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
Discover a rich green oasis in the cross-border High Fens nature reserve, which straddles Belgium and Germany.
Take a joyride on the gentle hills of the Ardennes and Eifel, flanked by majestic green scenery.
Discover a cyclist’s paradise on one of Europe’s longest and most scenic bike baths on the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour, which spans Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
This approachable, cross-border tour unfolds across the serene landscapes of four of Europe’s most ideal countries for cycling and is suitable for cyclists of all levels. The self-guided cycling journey begins on the scenic Luxembourg-Maastricht bike trail that takes you through Maastricht, Eupen, and St. Vith before joining the legendary Vennbahn Rail Trail route in Troisvierges, Luxembourg. The Vennbahn is a mesmerizing 125-kilometre bike route considered one of the nicest routes for cycling in the region. Blazing a trail on the Vennbahn, you’ll ride through various towns and cities of Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany before a final ride to return to Maastricht, where the tour concludes in the Netherlands.
Enjoy the spellbinding landscapes of the cross-border High Fens nature reserve, where you’ll find yourself swept up in a natural oasis of sprawling peat and moorlands, rich with unique flora. From exploring fourteenth-century castles complete with a pottery museum to revelling in the views of the Schönberg mountain, each day of the tour has something spectacular in store.
Exceptional 3- and 4-star accommodations along the route make unwinding after a day of adventure easy, each featuring several modern amenities like swimming pools and excellent restaurants.
With so much to see and do in Europe, why not cross four of its most beautiful countries off your list on the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour? Book your spot today!
Discover a cyclist’s paradise on one of Europe’s longest and most scenic bike baths on the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour, which spans Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
This approachable, cross-border tour unfolds across the serene landscapes of four of Europe’s most ideal countries for cycling and is suitable for cyclists of all levels. The self-guided cycling journey begins on the scenic Luxembourg-Maastricht bike trail that takes you through Maastricht, Eupen, and St. Vith before joining the legendary Vennbahn Rail Trail route in Troisvierges, Luxembourg. The Vennbahn is a mesmerizing 125-kilometre bike route considered one of the nicest routes for cycling in the region. Blazing a trail on the Vennbahn, you’ll ride through various towns and cities of Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany before a final ride to return to Maastricht, where the tour concludes in the Netherlands.
Enjoy the spellbinding landscapes of the cross-border High Fens nature reserve, where you’ll find yourself swept up in a natural oasis of sprawling peat and moorlands, rich with unique flora. From exploring fourteenth-century castles complete with a pottery museum to revelling in the views of the Schönberg mountain, each day of the tour has something spectacular in store.
Exceptional 3- and 4-star accommodations along the route make unwinding after a day of adventure easy, each featuring several modern amenities like swimming pools and excellent restaurants.
With so much to see and do in Europe, why not cross four of its most beautiful countries off your list on the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour? Book your spot today!
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8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Your cross-border cycling tour begins in Maastricht, a small city perched on the southern tip of the Netherlands in the Limburg province.
Settle into your accommodations here before setting out to explore the attractive city that features impressive medieval-era architecture and a beautiful cobbled old town.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maastricht
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Ride to Eupen via Moresnet
Set out this morning following a hearty breakfast, enjoying a short first stretch to the Belgian border as you enjoy your first taste of the beautiful natural landscapes that characterize this tour. Along the route, a stop in Moresnet comes highly recommended, where you can take in the remarkable fourteenth-century Raeren Castle.
Now in Belgium, continue the route to tonight’s accommodations in lovely Eupen.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Eupen
Distance: 59km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle the High Fens Nature Reserve
Today, you’ll enjoy the road to yourself as you embark on a section where motorized vehicles are banned. Enjoy the freedom of the wide-open road as you set off for the beautiful High Fens nature reserve. The High Fens area, characterized by spellbinding moor and heath landscapes, is peppered with meandering rivers and rare species of moorland flora.
Enveloped in breathtaking scenery, continue the route past the quaint town of Waimes. Having worked up an appetite, pop into the Montenauer Ham Smokery along the route to refuel with an artisanal ham sandwich before pressing on to St. Vith.
Overnight Location: Hotel in St. Vith
Distance: 60km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Reuland Castle Ruins
Rise this morning ready to tackle another glorious day on the Vennbahn Rail Trail. Today’s exciting ride invites you to explore the fascinating ruins at Reuland Castle before crossing the border into Troisvierges, Luxembourg, where the Vennbahn Rail Trail begins.
You’ll have the option of catching a local train to tonight’s accommodations in Clervaux, or if you’re up for a series of challenging climbs, press on by bike to Clervaux.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Clervaux
Distance: 50km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Cycle the Our Valley to Bütgenbach
This morning, the first leg takes you to the unique tripoint of Ouren, where Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany meet. From Ouren, you’ll sail into the valley of the River Our, cruising alongside the beautiful Schönberg peak, part of the Rätikon range of the Eastern Alps.
A final climb of 500 metres will lead you to tonight’s accommodations in Bütgenbach, Belgium.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bütgenbach
Distance: 65km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Easy Ride to Aachen
Set those wheels in motion for a pleasant, easy ride to Aachen this morning. Along the way, pause in one of the gorgeous historical cities that pave the way, like Monschau or Kornelimünster.
On the final 30-kilometre stretch to Aachen, you’ll enjoy a glorious downhill ride. Your arrival in Aachen marks the completion of the route on the Vennbahn Rail Trail.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aachen
Distance: 69km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Cycle the LF 13 to Maastricht
With your final ride on the horizon, there’s even more reason to savour every moment today. Joining the long-distance cycling route LF 13, you’ll enjoy a gorgeous ride on gentle hills while taking in beautiful panoramas of southern Limburg.
Back in the Netherlands, you’ll enjoy a final evening in Maastricht, celebrating a week of epic cross-border cycling adventures!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maastricht
Distance: 40km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Depart
Having checked four of Europe’s most beautiful countries off your list, this morning, your cycling tour comes to an end. Check out of your hotel and depart, taking with you a week’s worth of magical memories.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily (with some exceptions), from May 1st to September 30th .
- Single room: from EUR1262*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR825*
Accommodation on the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour
This tour is based on hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3- and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Guests may have access to amenities such as swimming pools, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of EUR280 to have a private room in a hotel where possible.
What’s Included in the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour and after the tour in Maastricht are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Luggage transportation during the tour is included. Your bike rental is not included but can be added during your booking process. Airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Maps and route descriptions
- Tourist information on all places of interest
- Phone hotline (also available on weekends)
- GPS tracks available upon request
Not included
- Bike rental
- Guide services
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Tourist taxes (to be paid at the hotel)
- GPS
- Entrance fees and excursions
- Any ferry crossings
Optional Extras
- Bike rental:
- Hybrid bike
- E-Bike
- Upgrade to half board (breakfast and lunch)
- Additional nights before or after the tour in Maastricht (incl. breakfast)
- Airport transfers
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg?
- Are meals included on the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Maastricht to start this tour?
- Where does the 8-Day Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg?
- When is the best time to book this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You should be comfortable cycling distances of up to 70 kilometres in a day, with plenty of opportunities for breaks and refreshments. The terrain is a mix of hilly and flat.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills, and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Schiphol Airport (AMS) or Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST).
From Schiphol Airport (AMS) you can take a train (IC3543) to Venlo. In ‘s-Hertogenbosch transfer to train IC845 and continue to Maastricht Central Station. From here you can take bus 6 to Amby and get off at Scharnerweg. From Scharnerweg it’s a 5-minute walk to Novotel Maastricht.
From Maastricht-Aachen Airport (MST) you can take bus 30 to the central station. Then take a taxi to your hotel.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer from the train station.
The tour ends in Maastricht. You can get to Schiphol Airport (AMS) by a combination of train and bus and to Maastricht Airport (MST) by bus.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are 24-gear hybrid bikes, 27-gear premium bikes, race bikes, tandem bikes or E-bikes.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to visit Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg for this cycling tour is from April to September, when the weather is at its best. July and August see the greatest number of tourists. This tour is available from May to September, allowing you the option to travel during the spring, summer, or early fall.
Customer Ratings
Operating since 2017, Dutch Biketours knows how to immerse travellers in Dutch life–best done on a bike, of course! Their experienced staff can lead your trip planning, or they can take your ideas and tailor a custom itinerary that reveals the charm of the Netherlands.
