Vennbahn & Ravel cycle paths in East Belgium

The RAVeL Vennbahn celebrates its 10th anniversary

The year 2023 will be marked by a special anniversary. At the beginning of July, it will be ten years since the RAVeL Vennbahn became an exceptional slow-mobility route. Today, the Vennbahn is a flagship product for tourism in the cross-border region, and its success has been recognised many times over.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Vennbahn, a major celebration will be held along the route in Leykaul (Belgium) on 1 July 2023. This celebration will symbolically lay the foundations for future collaborations.

Please note !
As parking facilities in Leykaul are limited, we recommend coming directly with your own bike. You can use the parking facilities at the former railway station in Sourbrodt or in Monschau. From Monschau town centre you can cycle to Leykaul along the Rurufer cycle path.

We look forward to welcome you!

> > For more information on the 10th anniversary, click here

The micro-project “10 years Vennbahn” is being carried out within the context of People to People2 Interreg V-A Euregio Meuse-Rhine and co-financed by Städteregion Aachen and the East Belgium Tourism Agency.

Vennbahn map

The Vennbahn map on a scale of 1:100.000 contains information on all aspects of the cycle path, for example the links, side routes and connections to other theme cycle paths, and much more.

> order map in web shop (€5.00)

The Vennbahn cycle path, which has received several international awards and is one of the longest railway line cycle paths in Europe, runs through Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. Starting from Aachen and running right through East Belgium to Troisvierges at an average gradient of 2% (with a few short sections at 3 - 10%), this trip offers 125 km of fascinating landscapes, border country flair, Vennbahn tales and historical knowledge.

The Vennbahn is part of the Ravel programme of Belgium's Walloon region. In translation, Ravel stands for 'Autonomous Network for Slow Traffic'. This network fits in with the philosophy of 'greenways', a term used in Europe and worldwide to denote infrastructures reserved for non-motorised traffic.

The highlights along the route include the world cultural heritage city of Aachen, the town centre of Kornelimünster, the pottery museum at Raeren, the town centre of Monschau, the hedgerow country in Monschau and around Sourbrodt, Wolfsbusch, the museum exhibition 'Zwischen Venn und Schneifel' in St.Vith, the picturesque Our valley, the castle ruins at Reuland, the tunnel near Lommersweiler and Lengeler, the Europe monument in Ouren and the gardens around Troisvierges.

Brief portrait

3 countries: Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg
125 kilometres
average gradient 2% (with a few short sections at 3 - 10%)
one of Europe's longest railway line paths
Aachen – Troisvierges

For more information on the Vennbahn go to:
www.vennbahn.eu

Photo gallery

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Both in Europe and worldwide, 'greenways' is a term used to denote infrastructures which are reserved for non-motorised traffic. These are routes designed for recreational purposes and / or commuters. In most cases, they're based on former railway lines running along rivers or canals, which have been adapted to a new purpose. Since 1998, the 'European Greenways Association' has been committing itself to their promotion.

Further information:

www.aevv-egwa.org

The greenways form ecological corridors and contribute to biological diversity. They are contemporary witnesses of history and monuments of industrial and cultural heritage.

Ravel – 'Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes' or 'Autonomous Network for Slow Traffic'

The Ravel programme of the Walloon region entails the adaptation of more than 1,400 km of disused railway lines into cycle paths and hiking trails. In East Belgium, the network is already very well established. There are approx. 220 km of Ravel routes available for use at the present time.

Further information:

ravel.wallonie.be (french version)

Map of Ravel network:
https://ravel.wallonie.be/en/home/carte-interactive.html