Riverscapes & Germany's green borders: Rur Riverbanks Cycle Route

Three countries – one river. Follow the river Rur all the way from its source in Belgium, across the Eifel in Germany and the plains of the Heinsberg holiday region to where it joins the Meuse in the Netherlands.

The route is as varied as the river, which either meanders gently along or flows at great speed past the hills and peaks. The Hohes Venn region of Belgium with its moors and heaths strikes a captivating contrast to the Eifel hills with the new Eifel National Park, before you come to the undulating landscape of the Börde. As you leave Düren and Jülich behind, the historical winding towers emerge into view in the Heinsberg holiday region. Just before the Rur pours into the Meuse, the river splits in two. This marks the end of the tour, which tracks the course of one river through three countries – leaving you with countless wonderful memories. Terrain: more than half the route is flat. Hilly sections with some steep gradients are found in the upper reaches of the river. The route, which comprises back roads, farm tracks and riverbank paths, is almost all surfaced with asphalt or crushed brick/stone and is mainly traffic-free. Scenery: the upland moors of the Hohes Venn give way to the Eifel plateau. Here, the route is characterised by narrow valleys, steep wooded hillsides, reservoirs and Bunter sandstone. Further downriver come the Börde regions around Zülpich and Jülich, followed by riverbank meadows and finally the extensive plains of the Meuse river.

• Length: 166 kilometres
• Starts: Botrange (Belgium)
• Ends: Roermond (Netherlands)
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, hilly in parts, steep gradients