Tour d’Europe Circuit: Cycling in Benelux, France and Germany

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Day 1: Arrival in Maastricht/’s-Gravenvoeren and cycling to Liège | 36km

Your trip starts from Maastricht, the oldest town in the Netherlands. In case you arrive by car you can leave it in the parking lot of the hotel where you will spend the last night of the trip. Once you are ready to embark on your journey, you will get on the first cycling section of the itinerary: from Maastricht to Liège, aka the “fiery city”. On the way to Belgium, you will follow the River Jeker (flowing into the River Meuse at Maastricht) to the picturesque village of Kanne. Shortly after, you can stop and take a look at the boats going through the locks at Ternaaien/ Lanaye, 225 m long and 25 m wide. From here, follow the RAVeL trail, via the friendly town of Visé, to Liège (or Luik, as it is called in Dutch). The last kilometres take you past tall cranes, rusty boats and old but busy industrial zones.

• Accommodation: Mercure City Centre Liege****, Ibis Styles Liège Guillemins*** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 36km

Day 2: From Liege to Namur | 70km

Taking you right through the centre of Liège, the cycling path along the Meuse is very pleasant. Cycling along the John Cockerill railway you will get out the urban area of Liège, following the RAVeL path. Seen up close, the blast furnaces of Seraing are awe-inspiring. If you like decorative glass, you can opt to stop off at the Val St. Lambert crystal factory shop. Next, ride your bike on quiet back-roads, past typical Walloon villages, never far from the river, towards Huy. Just before Huy, briefly switch to the bike track along the Meuse where you will get across the Tihange nuclear reactor, another impressive industrial complex. The Grande Place square in Huy is the ideal spot for a lunch break. Continuing on the route along the Meuse to Namur, the natural landscapes will gradually start prevailing over the industrial ones.

• Accommodation: Ibis Namur Centre*** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 70km

Day 3: From Namur to Givet | 55km

Follow the RAVeL route to Dinant. You will pass the village of Wépion, famous for its strawberries, and the Gardens of Annevoie, well worth a visit. In Dinant, take your time to enjoy the town and riverside cafes. After Dinant, you will reach the lovely Chateau Freyr. Then continue for several kilometres on the former railway from Hastière to Mariembourg. Cross the border into France and the first town you’ll get to is Givet with its imposing Charlemont citadel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Les Reflets Jaunes*** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 55km

Day 4: From Givet to Charleville-Mézières | 83km

Today you will cycle on the Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes path, along the Meuse River. One of the day’s highlights is a visit to the charming town of Monthermé. Your destination is Charleville – Mézières, known for its lovely historical town centre. If today’s stage is too long for you, don’t worry, there’s a train connection between Givet and Charleville-Mézières, which you can take on several places. Still, we definitely advise you to give it a try, as the route is beautiful and definitely worth the effort.

• Accommodation: Kyriad Charleville Mézières*** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 83km

Day 5: From Charleville-Mézières to Bouillon | 50km

In September 2015, an extension of the Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes path was opened. It will take you through a picturesque landscape to Sedan, famous for its castle (the largest in Europe). This is where you leave the International Meuse Route, and after lunch, you will set off towards the “Vennbahn route”. On the French side, a quiet road climbs gradually (average incline 3%) to the border. After crossing the border back into Belgium, there’s a delightful descent to your hotel in Bouillon. Opt to visit the impressive castle-fortress of Godfried of Bouillon.

• Accommodation: Hotel de la Poste**** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 50km

Day 6: From Bouillon to Bastogne | 61km

Make your way up and out of the pretty town of Bouillon on a narrow, ascending road and proceed through the south of Belgium. After a few kilometres, you will find yourself pedalling on country roads flanked by farmland, on a rolling plateau. You will pass many authentic villages untouched by the passage of time. Enjoy the great views, and continue to the town of Libramont-Chevigny, where you can make a half-way stop for lunch. At the end of this section of the route, you will follow another stretch of the RAVeL-route (on former railway line 163 from Libramont via Bastogne to Gouvy). In Bastogne, you’ll find many monuments commemorating the Battle of the Ardennes at the end of WWII.

• Accommodation: Hotel Leo at Home*** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 61km

Day 7: From Bastogne to Sankt-Vith | 62km

From “Gare du Sud” railway station, follow RAVeL 163 in northern direction on one of the most beautiful bike tracks in the RAVeL network. South of Gouvy, at the end of this RAVeL route, head east to the border with Luxembourg. Shortly after, cycle through a slightly undulating Luxembourg landscape on peaceful roads to the Vennbahn route. In Huldange, the highest point in Luxembourg (558.5m.) you will reach the Vennbahn. A little later on, you will cross the border back into Belgium. Through a beautiful landscape, the route takes you to the ruins of Burg Reuland, towering high above the village. Then you continue to Hemmeres, a German enclave, and finally to Sankt-Vith, your destination for the day.

• Accommodation: Relaxhotel Pip Margraff*** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 62km

Day 8: From Sankt-Vith to Monschau/Rohren | 46km

The cycling today is easy and pleasant on the newly asphalted bike track between Sankt-Vith and Waimes. Continue towards Belgian-German Ardennes-Eiffel Nature Park. Along the route, you can stop for a break in Montenau (and an Ardennes ham smokery), in Sourbrodt (former station along the Vennbahn railway) and in Kalterherberg where you will find several possibilities for a tasty lunch. Further on, you will leave the Vennbahn to make a detour to Monschau where you will stay for the night. Quaint and enchanting, this Eifel town boasts lovely half-timbered houses, enticing shops, friendly roadside cafes and good restaurants.

• Accommodation: Hotel Alt Monjoie in Monschau***, Hotel de Lange Man in Rohren**** or similar
• Cycling for the day: 46km

Day 9: Monschau/Rohren to Maastricht/’s-Gravenvoeren | 61-100km

On your final cycling day, head back from the centre of Monschau to the Vennbahn rail trail. A visit to the monumental town of Kornelimünster is a must. After a long descent, you will reach the town of Aachen, once the centre of Charlemagne’s empire. After you visit this historic town, get on a train back to Maastricht, relax and enjoy while the hills of scenic southern Limburg glide by like a protracted panorama.

• Accommodation: Novotel Maastricht****, Hotel Blanckthys in ‘s-Gravenvoeren or similar
• Cycling for the day: approx. 85-100km or 61-80km, and a train ride

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast, departure on your own.

Click to view standard hotels

• Ramada Plaza Liege City****
• Ibis Namur Centre*** 
• Hotel Les Reflets Jaunes*** 
• Kyriad Charleville Mézières*** 
• Hotel de la Poste****
• Hotel Leo at Home***
• Relaxhotel Pip Margraff***
• Michel & Friends ****
• Novotel Maastricht**** 
• Mercure City Centre Liege****
• Ibis Styles Liège Guillemins***
• Hotel Alt Monjoie in Monschau***
• Hotel de Lange Man in Rohren****
• Hotel Blanckthys in ‘s-Gravenvoeren

*Please note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.

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