Cologne-Arnhem Rhine Cycle Route

Day 1 Arrival in Cologne

Visit the famous Cologne Cathedral and the old town, which is well worth seeing (bikes can be rented at the hotel).

Day 2 Dusseldorf 53 km

You leave the cathedral city of Cologne in a good mood and cycle along the banks of the Rhine to the medieval town of Zons. Discover this old fortified city with its completely preserved city wall. Marvel at the mighty Rhine Tower (1388) and the still functional windmill with wooden grinder (17th century). On the Rhine Cycle Path you cycle comfortably to Düsseldorf's old town, which is also known as the "longest bar in the world". This expression of cheerful Rhenish nature stands for more than 250 pubs, restaurants and bars that line the streets of the old town. Relax at Burgplatz, voted one of the most beautiful squares in Germany, and enjoy the wonderful view of the Rhine.

Day 3 Duisburg 49 km

The Rhine cycle path takes you today to Kaiserswerth with the picturesque ruins of the "Kaiserpfalz". A small ferry takes you across to the left bank of the Rhine. A detour to the moated castle Linn is worthwhile. The green river meadows are now giving way to imposing industrial architecture. In Duisburg, be sure to take an informative boat tour through the largest inland port in Europe before you end the evening comfortably in the inner port, which is dotted with many bars and restaurants.

Day 4 Wesel 47 km

After a short S-Bahn ride (6 minutes) you cycle in Duisburg-Meiderich directly to the "Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord", a 200-hectare disused iron and steel works. As part of a guided tour of industrial history, you will climb the disused blast furnace, explore the ore bunker, casting hall, gasometer and blower hall. After this impressive tour, follow a comfortable bike path on a former railway line back to the banks of the Rhine. You then cycle through rural idyll and nature reserves on the Lower Rhine to the Hanseatic city of Wesel with the Prussian Museum NRW.

Day 5 Emmerich 52 km

Today you can look forward to Xanten with its historic city centre, the sumptuously furnished St. Viktor Cathedral and the archaeological park. On the site of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana, Germany's largest archaeological open-air museum invites you to take a stimulating excursion into history. After a worthwhile visit, you will cycle along inviting bathing lakes to the amusement park "Wunderland Kalkar" and over the longest suspension bridge in Germany, the "Golden Gate on the Lower Rhine". Enjoy the evening in the old Hanseatic town of Emmerich on the beautiful Rhine promenade, which invites you to stroll.

Day 6 Arnhem/NL 41 km

You will reach the border in the morning. On the Rhine cycle path you pass the point where the Rhine divides into the Waal and Niederrijn. From here one speaks of the Rhine delta, which extends to the North Sea. With the best view you follow the Niederrijn on elevated causeways, over locks and bridges to the old town of Arnhem. Explore history in the Arnhem Bridge information centre, visit the open-air museum with more than 80 historic Dutch houses and windmills, or let yourself be tempted by the wide range of shops.

Day 7 Arnhem/NL Departure

If you want, you can continue your cycle tour for another 230 km along the Rhine to the North Sea or you can quickly return to Cologne by train.