Meuse Route and Vennbahn Rail Trail Cycling Tour

Your international cycling adventure kicks off in Maastricht, a small city that sits on the southern tip of the Netherlands in the province of Limburg.

In Maastricht, you’ll receive a warm welcome, complete with coffee and a slice of mouth-watering Limburg pie. When you’re ready, set those wheels in motion for your first ride to Liège, known as the “city of fire.” Trace the Jeker River, which leads you through the pretty village of Kanne, then join the RAVel trail and press on to Liège, where you’ll find your first accommodations.

Following breakfast this morning, get ready to take on your second day of riding to Namur. This leg begins with a lively route, right through the center of Liège before joining a scenic path that traces the banks of the River Meuse. Then, enjoy a pleasant stretch alongside the John Cockerill railway to depart Liège, following signs for the RAVel.

An optional stop along the way at the Val St. Lambert crystal factory shop comes highly recommended before continuing through several pretty Walloon villages until you reach Huy. Hop off your bike to enjoy lunch at a brasserie on the Huy Grand Place (Huy’s central square) before embarking on today’s final stretch to Namur.

Today’s challenging ride has plenty in store, so fuel up with a hearty breakfast and set out to return to the banks of the Meuse this morning following the RAVel to Dinant. Cruise through the lovely village of Wépion, known for its abundant strawberry crops, and perhaps take in the beautiful Gardens of Annevoie while here, too.

Stop for lunch at one of several riverside cafés in Dinant, then continue on the route, taking in the impressive Castle of Freÿr in Hastière, where you can explore its Le Nôtre-style gardens in a fairy-tale setting right on the River Meuse.

To top off an already magical day, you’ll then cross the border into France, riding to Givet, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodations.

Depart Givet this morning, ready to seize another mesmerizing day of cycling as you set out on the first stretch to Haybes. The rest of today’s scenic ride unfolds on the Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes, with the River Meuse as your guide.

En route to Charleville-Mézières, pause in the charming town of Monthermé, where you’ll delight in the authentic charm and warm ambience of this tiny village in northern France.

Continue on the Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes this morning on the extended section created in 2015, pedalling to Sedan. In Sedan, you’ll lay eyes on Europe’s largest castle, the famous Château de Sedan, which boasts seven stories and sprawls over 35,000 square meters.

After taking some time to take in this most remarkable site, you’ll depart the Meuse Route cycle path and set out on the Vennbahn Rail Trail. Enjoy a steady climb on quiet country lanes towards the French-Belgian border, then cross over to your hotel in beautiful Bouillon, saying farewell to France.

Start your day with a visit to the spellbinding Bouillon Castle, if you didn’t get the chance to take it in yesterday, and then set out for the serene country roads carving a path through southern Belgium. Take in several villages seemingly untouched by time, then hop off your bike in Libramont-Chevigny for a tasty lunch.

Arrive in historic Bastogne, settling into your accommodations before setting out to admire the town’s fascinating monuments, many commemorating the famous Battle of the Ardennes during WWI.

Set out from the Gare du Sud railway station this morning, following the RAVel 13 north on one of the most beautiful tracks of the whole RAVel network.

Soon, you’ll cross the border into Luxembourg, where you’ll enjoy a stretch on peaceful rural roads on the Vennbahn Rail Trail. With a pleasant taste of Luxembourg’s serene countryside, you’ll cross the border back into Belgium, where you can visit the ruins of Burg Reuland before pressing on to St. Vith, today’s final destination.

Day 8 has a pleasant, easy route in store for the ride to Monschau. Zoom towards Waimes this morning, soon reaching the Belgian-German Ardennes-Eiffel Nature Park. Plenty of delightful options for a lunch break present themselves along the route—Montenau, which serves artisanal smoked ham sandwiches, is a superb choice.

Departing the Vennbahn, you’ll ride to Monschau to spend the night in this quaint town, which boasts half-timbered houses and lovely cafes.

Your final ride brings you back to Maastricht via the Vennbahn, but not without a visit to the monumental town of Kornelimünster in Germany.

Continue the route to Aachen, then cross over into the Netherlands to ride through the idyllic Dutch town of Kerkrade. From Kerkrade, you’ll catch the train to Maastricht, enjoying the majestic scenery afforded by the rolling green hills of southern Limburg.

Back in Maastricht, soak up your final evening of the tour, enjoying a farewell dinner and reflecting on the magical memories made!

Your international cycling tour comes to an end this morning, and with that, you’ve cycled in five of Europe’s most beautiful countries. Check out and head to the airport to depart.