The rather short and leisurely Erft Cycle Path is not for extreme sports enthusiasts, but families with children and beginners will appreciate this cycle tour through a region steeped in history. Over a distance of 110 kilometers, it leads along the Erft from its source in the Eifel village of Nettersheim-Holzmülheim to the mouth of the Rhine in Neuss, passing numerous moated castles, magnificent palaces as well as evidence of Roman times and industrial history. The route can be easily mastered in two or three stages, especially as cyclists only have to overcome a small hill. Even better: from Bad Münstereifel, the first stopover, the route continues exclusively downhill through the Eifel. And with virtually no disruptive road traffic. This is because the Erft Cycle Path lives up to its name and runs along the river for almost the entire route, through magnificent natural landscapes and pretty little towns that invite you to take a welcome break.
The numerous sights along the way are also worth a stop. Not only is the region home to the most moated castles in Germany, but the Romans, the Rhenish nobility and open-cast mining have also left their mark here, which can still be seen today. A short detour to the magnificent Augustusburg Castle near Brühl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is certainly worthwhile. Other popular excursion destinations include the Pharmacy Museum in Bad Münstereifel, the Pipe Museum in Bergheim, Hombroich Island and, especially if you have children with you, the nearby Phantasialand amusement park. The historic town center of Alt-Kaster is also worth a visit.
Once the work is done, so to speak, the day-trippers are warmly welcomed in bike-friendly accommodation. Some of them, whether youth hostels or four-star design hotels, have Bed & Bike certification and usually offer secure parking spaces for bikes as well as a luggage service.
Particularly sporty cyclists for whom the 110-kilometre route is not enough can also combine the Erft Cycle Path with the Rhine Cycle Path and the Ahr Cycle Path to form the Three Rivers Tour and thus complete a 300-kilometre circular route.
