Brown coal versus leafy countryside: Erft Cycle Route

Cycling through the charming countryside past historical buildings you may believe you have taken a step back in time, but the former open-cast lignite mines bring you right back to the here and now. Together with the Ahr and Rhine cycle routes, the Erft Cycle Route forms part of the 'Three Rivers Tour'.

From its source in Nettersheim-Holzmülheim the river Erft meanders through a delightful region of tree-lined avenues, riverbank scenery and meadowland. After the medieval town of Bad Münstereifel the route is characterised by watermills, castles and palaces. The extensive excavations left in the region by former open-cast lignite mines can be seen from various observation points. The renaturalised pits near Erftstadt are followed by cultural and historical highlights such as Dyck Castle and the Clemens Sels Museum in Neuss, one of the oldest towns on the Rhine and the final destination on this tour. Terrain: a flat route, mainly on farm tracks with a few climbs in the first few miles. About half the route is on asphalt, while the other half is on crushed brick/stone, and it is largely traffic-free. Scenery: from the densely wooded hills of the Eifel the route heads downriver to the confluence with the Rhine. Along the way it is lined with historical villages, observation points offering views of the former mining landscape, castles and palaces.

• Length: 128 kilometres
• Starts: Nettersheim/Blankenheim
• Ends: Confluence with the Rhine near Neuss
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, easily managed with children, majority of route suitable for trailers