From Aachen to Raeren
Hop on your bike and start your cycling adventure
Explore the first leg of the Vennbahn route, beginning in Aachen and winding your way to Raeren, encountering viaducts and picturesque villages. Get ready for a unique adventure along this converted railway track, offering an unforgettable experience through Germany and East Belgium.
22,2 km
Distance
1/3
Difficulty
1h34
Duration
Multi-Stage
Route
Practical Information
Parking
APAG Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof - Lagerhausstraße 20, 52064 Aachen, Deutschland
Distance to the Vennbahn: 3 km
Parking Aachen Arkaden - Trierer Str. 1, 52078 Aachen, Deutschland
Distance to the Vennbahn: 0 km
Public Transport
Equipment
Suitable for all types of bicycles
Start
50.770615, 6.117406
Adress for your GPS:
Vennbahnweg, Aachen, Deutschland
GPX data stage:
Download GPX data
Difficulty level
Easy
Stage 1
From Aachen to Raeren
Stage 1
From Aachen to Raeren
Go on a discovery journey and enjoy the diverse landscapes of the 1st stage of the Vennbahn between Aachen and Raeren. Your tour starts at the main station of the UNESCO World Heritage City, Aachen. Here, you hop on your bike and cycle to the station Aachen-Rothe Erde, where the Vennbahn cycle path starts. From here, you ride toward the former train station in Raeren. On your way from Germany to East Belgium you'll see viaducts, pastoral villages and abandoned train stations.
Aachen: Explore the World Heritage site of Aachen
Aachen: Explore the World Heritage site of Aachen
The itinerary from Aachen’s main station to the start of the Vennbahn at Rothe Erde is signposted. There, you’ll also find several parking spaces. In Aachen-Brand, you’ll get to the former station building that has been transformed into a restaurant with a beer garden. Just a few more kilometres along the way, you’ll find a Vennbahn bike service station, before getting to the Rollefbach viaduct and on to Kornelimünster.
Kornelimünster: A Must-Visit Stop
Kornelimünster: A Must-Visit Stop
Once arrived in Kornelimünster, you might like to take the small detour to the historical old town. You’ll see the “Bahnhofsvision”, yet another former train station that now serves as a restaurant. Its terrace right on the Vennbahn invites you to relax.
The Magic of the First Stage: Forests, Train Cafe, and Pottery History in Raeren
The Magic of the First Stage: Forests, Train Cafe, and Pottery History in Raeren
After marvelling at the old Diesel locomotives at Walheim station, you’ll enter Belgian territory for the first time of your ride. Idyllic woods and meadows lead you to the end of your stage, the former station of Raeren, in the café of which you could savour Belgian specialities. On this spot, old trains are still being restored. You’ll find out more about the intriguing history of this place in the Pottery Museum of Raeren Castle.
Find your way
Follow these signs.
Safety notice: A few tips for a trouble-free journey
- Use of the Vennbahn cycling and hiking trail is at your own risk
- No liability is assumed for any damage resulting from negligence on the part of the user
- The Vennbahn is only for use by non-motorised traffic (speed limit: 30 km/h, E-bikes: max. 25 km/h, E-Scooter: max. 18 km/h)
- The respective national Highway Code shall apply
- The markings and signposting shall always be decisive
- Always proceed at a controlled speed so that you can avoid any obstacles in good time
- In case of an accident, call 112 and tell them your location
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Frequently asked questions
If your question is not answered here, please do not hesitate to send us an email, we will be happy to help!
The first stage of the Vennbahn starts at Aachen-Rothe Erde station and ends at the former station in Raeren.
The old town of Aachen, Café Bahnhofsvision in Kornelimünster, and the station café in Raeren are among the highlights of the first stage of the Vennbahn.
