Freewheel - ‘Four Country Vennbahn’

‘Four Country Vennbahn’

From £610 P/P

The Vennbahn rail trail is a 125km long cycle path on a former railway leading from Troisvierges in the north of Luxembourg along the scenic River Our to Belgian-German High Fens-Eifel nature park.

The Vennbahn finishes in the historic German city of Aachen, a town of great significance, as the cathedral and gothic Town Hall testify.

The maximum average incline on the route is 2% and is ideal for a leisurely cycling holiday.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Maastricht or Gravenvoeren

Travel, by your own means into Maastricht in Limburg province, in the farthest possible corner of the southern Netherlands or Gravenvoeren, Belgium.

Maastricht is easy to reach by public transport. It is 2 hours by train from Amsterdam and 1 hour from Eindhoven. For those of you who are driving, there is parking available at the Hotel.

You will be welcomed with coffee/tea and “vlaai”, local fruit tart.

Day 2: Maastricht/Gravenvoeren – Eupen (59 km)

A short ride will take you from Maastricht to the Belgium border. Past 's-Gravenvoeren,and Hombourg you cycle to Raeren, where you can fina a pottery museum, housed in the grand settings of a castle. Continue, and ride to Eupen, the capital of the East Cantons. Enjoy an easy end to the day, as the last 7 kilometres of today’s route are in the ‘downhill’ direction of Lake Eupen!

Day 3: Eupen – St. Vith (59 km)

Enjoy a rare treat today, as almost all of today’s route is closed to motorized vehicles. You will gradually climb to a height of 660m above N.A.P. level, enjoying the natural beauty of the High Fens. Once you pass Kalterherberg, the route follows the ‘Vennbahn’ cycling path. It’s an easy ride past Sourbrodt marshalling yard to Waimes; and then past Montenau artisanal ham smokery to Sankt Vith.

Day 4: St. Vith – Clervaux (32 or 50 km)

Continuing on the ‘Vennbahn’ cycling path, on the way to Luxembourg, be sure to keep your eyes open for the castle ruins of Burg Reuland. Shortly after, you will cross the border into Luxembourg and reach Troisvierges. At this point, you can choose either to catch a slow train to Clervaux, or cycle a splendid route with some stiff climbs and delightful descents!

Day 5: Clervaux – Bütgenbach (65 km)

Set off for the tripoint, the geographical point where Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany meet, which you will find near the town of Ouren. From there, follow the valley of the River Our north, passing Schönberg (which literally translates to lovely mountain). True to the name, this really is a lovely route! From the Our Valley, the route climbs to 500m, but your efforts will be rewarded with guaranteed stunning views for the last stretch to Bütgenbach.

Day 6: Bütgenbach – Monschau (38 km)

Today its time for a rest, with an easier ride! Cross the magnificent Robertville reservoir, atop the dam, to reach the lively town of Robertville. The route then runs back into the High Fens on bike tracks offering marvellous scenery. Past Kalterherberg, set course for the Eifel town of Monschau, famous for its charming timber-framed houses.

Day 7: Monschau (D) to Maastricht (NL) - ´s Gravenvoeren (B) / approx. 45 km (bike) and 35 km (train)

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 your visit to this historic town, get on a train to Maastricht; relax and enjoy while the hills of scenic southern Limburg glide by like a protracted panorama.

Day 8: Departure

End of tour. Departure after breakfast.
Route Overview

Route Overview

The Vennbahn rail trail uses the route of a former railway line crossing three countries over 125 km.

Total distance cycled: 316 km

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Maastricht

The maximum average incline is only 2% and so the route is suitable for cyclists of any level.

Route Map (For guidance only)

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Travel Info

Travel Information

We recommend flying to Cologne, Brussels Zaventum or Brussels Charleroi airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What's Included?
What's Included?

The Vennbahn Rail Trail cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Accommodation in 3 and 4* hotels
- Bike hire
- Breakfast
- Luggage Transfers
- Tea/Coffee and local fruit tart in Maastricht on Day 1
- Train ticket (incl bike) from Aachen to Maastricht-Randwyck
- 7 days service-hotline
- GPX files on request
- Route descriptions and maps
- Tourist information for places of interest
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless stated)
- Bike Hire Available
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

E - Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gearing information available on request.

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Accommodation

Accommodation

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Pricing & Availability

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

2022 Cycling Holiday Dates & Prices:

Season	Date	Prices per person	Arrival Day
Season 1	01.05 – 30.06 \| 01.08 – 30.09	£610	Friday (Thursday also from 01.08 – 20.08)
Season 2	01.07 – 31.07	£655	Thursday & Friday
Single Room Supplement:	All	£255
Half Board	All	£205

Bike Hire per person:

Bike Type	Price
Rental Bike:	£95
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£145

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES (YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Supplement Price SGL/BB
Maastricht	£60	£105

Reference: DBT22

Date From	Date To	Price
06 May 2022	24 September 2022	£0

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