The 4 Countries Odyssey: from Maastricht to
Luxembourg by Bike

This itinerary, passing through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, is surprisingly varied, both from a natural as from a cultural point of view. You will discover a region which, because of its geographical location in the heart of Europe, at the crossroads of the Latin and Germanic worlds, forms an amazing cultural, linguistic, culinary and architectural kaleidoscope.

This route will also make you successively discover the three profoundly European cities that are Maastricht, Aachen and Luxembourg. The first, with its famous treaty, was able to establish the free movement of people across Europe (that's good, because you will be crossing borders), while the second, the city of Charles the Great, is the symbol of its unification! The emperor didn't hesitate a long time to make it the capital city of this newly unified Europe, extending in the 8th century from the Baltic to Spain, and from Rome to the North Sea! As for the city of Luxembourg, as the judicial capital of the Union, it plays an equally crucial role in guaranteeing and solidifying this recovered unity.

Regarding landscapes, the route that awaits you is full of contrasts too. After meandering between the green hills of Dutch Limburg - renamed the Tuscany of the Netherlands - you pedal through the dense forests of the Eifel, until another landscape, seemingly coming out of the far north, opens up to you: the untamed High Fens! The moors, marshes and bogs that characterize this region, which has remained very austere, give it all its uniqueness. You then wander through the beautiful bocage regions of the East Cantons, this German-speaking region landlocked in Belgium which was torn from Germany after World War 1. Then you are already in the Luxembourg Ardennes, where impressive fortified castles still seem to dictate their law from the top of their promontories overlooking deep wooded valleys. The last stage crosses the astonishing region of Mullerthal, more commonly known as Little Switzerland, whose landscapes are punctuated by spectacular rock formations. Last but not least, this circuit will also take you to the highest points of the 3 Benelux countries… and all without much effort! If the Dutch summit, the lowest of the three (you are in the “Netherlands”, meaning low-lying country...), is a little steeper, those of its Belgian and Luxembourg counterparts are easily overcome because not far from the famous Vennbahn, this old railway line now transformed into a cycle path, which will take you up to the highlands with your fingers in your nose. Inaugurated in 2013, it is, with its 125 km, one of the longest cycle paths in Europe, and the gradient never exceeds 2%.

Day 1: Arrival in Maastricht (Sunday)

Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands in more than a way: not satisfied with its geographical particularity, the city prides itself on being the Burgundian city of the country, implying, the city where life is best, where you eat good food, where you know how to party properly and where you don't take yourself too seriously. Maastricht, which remained bilingual until 1920, does not blush at the idea of declaring itself the most French of all, although this cultural proximity is more due to the close ties it has maintained for a long time with the nearby and just as fiery city of Liège. Many estaminets have also kept their original French-sounding name, anchoring the city in its southern character. Maastricht is also one of the oldest cities in the country, and its beautiful historic center will not fail to charm you.

Day 2: from Maastricht to Aachen (39/42 km (24/26 mi) - Ascent : 340/420 m (1115/1380 ft))

From the historic center of Maastricht, cross the bridge over the Meuse (Maastricht actually means “passage over the Meuse”), from where you then follow a cycle route that takes you quietly outside of the city. You then stroll through the green region of South Limburg, where agricultural fields alternate with pretty meadows and orchards, within a landscape of gentle hills. It is according to the Dutch themselves the most beautiful corner of the country! It must be recognized, however, that it is also the only region of the country with a bit of landscape, the others being desperately flat. The area is also known to still contain some antique half-timbered houses, adding a bit of cachet to the picture. You then arrive at the foot of the Vaalserberg, which, with its 322 m (1058 ft), is “the mountain” of the country, where the borders of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium meet!

Coming down the hill on the German side leads you to Aachen, located at its foot. The city, which was the capital of the gigantic Carolingian empire under Charles the Great, has now become a second-tier city, confined to the far west of Germany. Located at the crossroads of the three countries, it nevertheless remains a kind of Europe in miniature, in a way perpetuating its pan-European role. The historic center is well preserved and nice to explore on foot. At the heart of the city center you will find its Gothic town hall, the market square, its famous bronze fountains, and above all its sumptuous cathedral (Dom) , embodiment of its past greatness. Built in the 8th century, it is the first cathedral in Northern Europe, houses the tomb of Charles the Great and has seen almost all the kings of the Holy German Empire crowned there since then !

Day 3 : from Aachen to Monschau (43 km/27 mi - Ascent : 470 m/1540 ft)

Aachen was once directly connected to Luxembourg by a railway crossing 3 countries. Today, it is still connected, but by a cycle route, the Vennbahn, the one that replaced the rails! This greenway will allow you to leave the city without hassle or traffic, and will take you gradually and almost imperceptibly to the High Fens plateau, which you will only reach the next day. Along the way, however, the route will occasionally take you out of the Vennbahn, allowing you to discover some interesting sights, such as the cute village of Kornelimünster, formerly a place of pilgrimage, or the Siegfried Line, the German anti-tank defense line looking like dragons' teeth, recalling a darker page in European history.

The cycle path then meanders through the vast Eifel forests, interspersed from time to time with pastures, and, as you gain altitude, the vegetation becomes more and more nordic. At the end of the day, you reach the adorable little town of Monschau, which, with its countless half-timbered houses and its superb historic center closed to traffic, will transport you to the Germany of yesteryear. .

Day 4: from Monschau to Malmedy/Waimes (31/35/45/58 km (19/22/28/36 mi) - Ascent: 380/510/430/680 m (1245/1675/1410/2230 ft))

You follow the wild valley of the Rur on a beautiful gravel track for a few kilometers before crossing a last forest of conifers whose rear exit will make you discover a very boreal atmosphere. : here are the splendid High Fens (Hautes-Fagnes)! The plateau, located between altitudes of 500 and 700 m, undergoes an abnormally harsh climate: the fogs are often thick there, the winters are long and dreadful, the rainfall abundant, and for a long time, people simply did not venture there. The Prussians themselves baptized it the “Prussian Siberia"... Today, it has become a paradise for nature lovers, at least during the warm season. The protection of "peat", an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter that was once used as fuel, has allowed the ecosystem to regenerate little by little. At the highest point of these desolate expanses, at 694 m (2,277 ft), you are at the panoramic Signal de Botrange, the top of Belgium, nothing more!

You then descend a little, and a small detour to the mysterious medieval castle of Reinhardstein, lost in the middle of the forest, is highly recommended. The only castle of the Eifelian type in Belgium, that will delight lovers of architecture and history. If the weather is fine, a variant that takes you to the shores of Lake Bütgenbach may also taunt you!

Your halt for the night takes place in the surroundings of the more French-speaking Malmedy or Waimes. These cities, located at the crossroads of two cultures, were always swayed from one great power to another, has never had very pronounced national feelings, and the locals have therefore retained a great openness of mind !

Day 5 : from Malmedy/Waimes to Troisvierges (51/54/62 km (32/34/42 mi) - Ascent : 490/580/780 m (1605/1905/2560 ft))

There are a number of variants available to you today: the relaxed variant follows the Vennbahn for the most part, while the sportier version takes you over hill and dale. Along the way, you can visit an authentic slate quarry, taking you right down to the bottom of the underground mine. Throughout the day, you'll discover a picturesque region of hedgerows, typical of the East Cantons. There are only summer pastures here, the ungrateful soil and the harsh climate making other agricultural practices quite hazardous. In the past, periods of scarcity were frequent there, even in times of peace. As a result, this region has, even today, one of the lowest population densities in the country!

You then rejoin the Vennbahn again, which will take you little by little to the Luxembourg border where a small hill will have to be crossed, because the old railway tunnel which passes under the hill has meanwhile become a refuge for bats and therefore could not be transformed into a cycle path. But that's good, because up there, you are also at the highest point in Luxembourg, the Kneiff, at 560 m (1840 ft). Then it's downhill all the way till the small town with the colorful name of Troisvierges (meaning three virgins), where after having been tossed between Dutch, German and French, it is now in Luxembourgish that you will hear express themselves onlookers!

Day 6 : from Troisvierges to Echternach (54/63 km (34/39 mi) - Ascent : 630/830 m (2070/2720 ft))

There is a long climb (but not that steep) to the top of the plateau, from where it is then relatively flat until you descend on the other side towards the Our Valley. After having crossed the nice town of Vianden where we recommend you to visit its fortress - the most emblematic of all -, you then follow this river until it flows into the Sûre, which you continue to descend until you reach the pretty Echternach, oldest town in the country, located in the heart of Luxembourg's Little Switzerland. A bit after Vianden, you also have the possibility to opt for a sporty variant that will allow you to admire the castle of Beaufort, but we warn you, the climb going up there is quite long and sometimes steep !

Day 7 : from Echternach to Luxembourg (44 km/27 mi - Ascent : 490 m/1610 ft)

This last cycling stage being relatively short and easy, we suggest that you take advantage of that to start your day by exploring on foot the spectacular Wollefsschlucht, at a stone's throw from Echternach. The walls of the rock formations can reach up to 50 meters (160 ft), and only narrow passages allow you to make your way between the rocks.

From Echternach, a cycle path on a disused railway once again allows you to gently climb the relief of the region. A godsend when you know that Luxembourg's Little Switzerland takes its name from its rugged relief. You then reach the Ernz Noire Valley, where you can admire its very photogenic Schiessentümpel Waterfall, surmounted by an equally charming sandstone bridge. It did not take more for the site to become the symbol of Little Switzerland! The road then goes up the valley through a beautiful forest and rejoins the cycle path a little further on, which you will now never leave until you reach the beautiful city of Luxembourg. Still relatively unknown to the general public due to its distance from the major tourist hubs, the old town is nonetheless superbly preserved, and has been even listed by Unesco in 1994. If it was once nicknamed “the Gibraltar of the North ” thanks to its impressive fortifications, today it is more readily renamed the “green heart of Europe”, referring both to its many green spaces and its role as one of the three European capitals.

Day 8: Visit of Luxembourg & end of stay

After breakfast, it's up to you to start the return trip or extend your stay in the Luxembourg capital. The city deserves a morning, or even an extra day if you have the time. Possibility, for a supplement, to benefit from a transfer to Maastricht with the bike, in the middle of the day. Please consult us.

1. Duration:
   8 days and 7 nights, including the day of arrival and departure. 6 days of cycling.


2. Minimum age: 12 years old


3. Seasonality: from May 1 to October 15
   
   The temperatures often begin to be pleasant in the spring on the plains, but on the plateaus through which the route passes, spring starts a little later, and it is therefore better to wait for the month of May to be sure to have temperatures that are not too cold! May and June are generally good months.
   
   It is in summer that the weather is generally the most pleasant, and thanks to the relative altitude of the route, the region also remains sheltered from major heat waves.
   
   The beginning of autumn is usually also a very good time. Until around mid-October, the temperatures are most often pleasant, and the trees begin to form a patchwork of colors at this time. Special mention for the larch trees which, numerous in the region, begin to take on their golden hue around the second ten days of October!
   
   Between November and April, the cold sets in, plunging nature into a lethargy that it will remain until the arrival of fine weather.
   
   Note: the weather is subject to strong variations from one year to another. The information described above are only averages.


4. Possible arrival days: Sunday
   
   For logistical reasons, you should arrive in Maastricht on a Sunday, as the first day of cycling has to be on a Monday.
   
   Attention, for a departure on Sunday June 30, due to an important fair in Aachen, the accommodations are full months in advance, so it is better to leave on another date.


5. Arrival and return:
   
   
   • Start of tour: Maastricht
   
   
   • End of tour: Luxembourg
   
   In order to promote train travel, please be aware that all of our routes are easily accessible by train.
   
   Train
   • Go:
     
     From Amsterdam : direct connection - count around 2h30
     
     A direct Intercity train connects Amsterdam & Maastricht. Departures every 30 minutes !
     
     From Brussels: 1 connection - 1 hour 34 minutes
     
     Connection at Liège-Guillemins. No reservation necessary for this journey, unless of course you take the Thalys or the ICE to Liège (but with the IC train, it is hardly longer).
     
     From Germany : once in Aachen, a direct train goes to Maastricht in 48 minuts.
   
   
   • Return trip from Luxembourg:
     
     To Brussels: direct train - 3h15 journey- 1 departure/hour
     
     To Amsterdam : go through Brussels -
     To Paris : direct TGV (High Speed) - 2h12 journey- 5 trains a day.
     To Germany : direct train to Trier - 52 min journey- 1 departure/hour
     
   
   All times are subject to change.
   
   
   Car

   From Brussels : about 1h20 (110 km)

   From Amsterdam : about 2h20 (210 km)

   From Köln : about 1h10 (105 km)

   From Frankfurt : about 2h50 (290 km)

   
   


6. Return to departure point :
   
   If you need to return to Maastricht, allow around 3h30 by train from Luxembourg City.
   The cost is around €30 per person, including the bicycle. In Luxembourg, public transport is free throughout the country, so you only have to pay for the section in Belgium and the Netherlands.
   From Luxembourg station, first take the train to Liège-Guillemins (1 train every 2 hours on Sundays, direction Liers), then, when you arrive in Liège, change for the train to Maastricht.
   
   In Belgium and the Netherlands, you have to pay to carry your bicycle on board.
   
   A private shuttle service between the two cities is also available.
   
   Note: if you are arriving by car from the south, it may be better to park your car at the end of the itinerary (in Luxembourg City) rather than in Maastricht, to avoid having to drive back to Maastricht at the end of your stay.


7. Parking :
   
   Our roadbook will inform you about paid and free car parks where you can leave your car during your bike trip.


8. Rendezvous:
   
   The cycling journey begins on Monday (Day 2). A member of our local team will deliver your bikes the night before at your accommodation or another agreed location.


9. Supervision:
   
   Self-guided, with telephone assistance in case of mechanical issues. To navigate, you will have a detailed roadbook in Dutch/English, as well as GPS tracks of the route via an easy-to-use navigation app. As the navigation is satellite-based, no internet connection is required.


10. Type of route:
    
    Itinerant (linear).


11. Level: intermediate
    
    Some days, there are alternative routes to the normal route. Thus, you can tailor your ride's duration to suit your mood or the day's weather conditions. No matter which routes you opt for, you won't miss out on any of the biggest touristic highlights of the tour.
    
    
    • Elevation: There are some ascents and descents during the tour, but the climbs are mostly quite gradual, making the route accessible to a rather wide public. The travelers that only cycle occasionally may opt for an electric bike.
    
    
    • Length of the stages: around 40-55 km (25-35 mi), giving you plenty of time to make lots of stops along the way.
    
    
    • Terrain: over 80% paved roads. Some compact gravel tracks, not requiring MTB tires.
    
    All details are summarized in the table below.
    
    

    Table 1: Kilometers and Height differences

    THE 4 COUNTRIES ODYSSEY
    Stage	Variant	Kilometers	Elevation gain (m)	Drop (m)	Estimated time
    Day 1	Arrival in Maastricht
    Day 2 (stage 1) Maastricht - Aachen	Relax	39	340	240	2:33
    	Normal	42	420	320	2:43
    Day 3 (stage 2) Aachen - Monschau	Normal	43	470	240	2:58
    Day 4 (stage 3) Monschau - Waimes / Malmedy	Relax	31	380	300	2:05
    	Normal	35	510	430	2:38
    	Relax + lake detour	45	430	350	2:58
    	Normal + lake detour	58	680	600	4:08
    Day 5 (stage 4) Waimes / Malmedy - Troisvierges	Relax	51	490	530	3:10
    	Normal	54	580	620	3:31
    	Sporty	62	780	820	4:11
    Day 6 (stage 5) Troisvierges - Echternach	Normal	54	630	750	3:28
    	sporty	55	860	920	3:45
    Day 7 (stage 6) Echternach - Luxembourg	Normal	44	490	410	2:50
    Day 8	End of the tour

    
    
12. Accommodation:
    
    Standard range : 2-3* hotels
    
    Comfort range : 3-4* hotels
    
    Whichever option you choose, the accommodations have all the comforts you need for a good night's sleep! All rooms have an ensuite bathroom and all accommodations have some space to store your bicycles.


13. Meals:
    
    Breakfasts are included. Lunch and dinner are taken on your own. During the day, you can eat in the local restaurants (you will find daily suggestions in our roadbook) or have a picnic bought from local food stores.
    Half-board is not available on this tour, but you'll always have several restaurants within walking distance of your accommodation if there is no restaurant in the hotel itself.


14. Luggage transport:
    
    You only carry your day's belongings during the cycling stages. Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to another by us, you find them at the end of the day at your accommodation. It is also possible to carry your belongings with you in bicycle side panniers, as long-distance cyclists do. In this case, you get a discount.


15. Travel Documents:
    
    A detailed roadbook in Dutch/English, a topographical map of the route, and GPS tracks (via our navigation app) will be sent to you before your departure.
    
    In the roadbook, which you also receive in paper format, you will find, in addition to a description of the itinerary, numerous tourist and cultural information, suggestions for restaurants, and places to buy food along the way.


16. Bicycles:
    
    We offer quality bikes for hire, fully equipped and adapted to the type of terrain.
    
    Equipment includes a smartphone holder, a waterproof rear pannier, a lock, a repair set and (on request) a helmet.
    
    An electric bike can be hired for this trip.
    
    If you wish to bring your own bike, remember to check all the parts of the bike beforehand (wear and tear of brakes, tyres, sprockets, chain, etc.) to ensure that it is in technical order for a ride of 300 km (ca. 185 miles). The bikes suitable for this trip are trekking bikes (hybrid bikes), mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes (with a battery of at least 400 Wh). Road bikes (tyres too thin for the gravel sections) and city bikes (insufficient number of gears) are not suitable.
    
    Possibility to rent an electric bike for this stay.
    


17. Cancellation and assistance insurances:
    
    In order to guarantee reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay or in the event of problems (e.g. health, accident, theft, lost luggage, ...) during the trip, you can opt for a cancellation (CAP Explorer - premium cancellation) and/or assistance insurance (CAP Exporer - premium assistance). To learn more about our proposed insurances, click more info or ask us.

The price of the tour and the bike rentals is given in below tables:




The base price includes:

• A detailed roadbook in English/Dutch or German, elaborated by us during our scouting trip. It includes, in addition to information on the course, a lot of information on tourist sites as well as places to eat, get supplies and relax.
• GPS tracks, and access to GPS guidance App.
• The GPS tracks of the hike in Wollefsschlucht
• 7 nights in 2-3* hotels (or 3-4* in case of comfort option)
• 7 breakfasts
• The transport of your luggage between the accommodations
• Luggage tags
• The train ticket between Troisvierges and Wilwerwitz on Day 6 (free)
• Telephone assistance and guidance in the event of a mechanical problem
• Tourist taxes
• Registration fees

Possible options:

• On-site rental of a fully-equipped bicycle without/with electric assistance (including repatriation of the bicycle from Luxembourg)
• Additional nights in Maastricht and/or Luxembourg
• A private transfer from Luxembourg to Maastricht (but note that this journey can be done by train too)
• The single room supplement
• The comfort supplement (higher category accomodation)
• Optional insurances: cancellation and/or assistance

The price does not include:

• The trip from your home to the departure point, as well as the return
• Lunch and evening meals
• Personal expenses
• Entrances to tourist sites
• Anything not listed in “the price includes”

Discounts:

• If you wish to transport your luggage yourself from one accommodation to another, you benefit in this case from a discount. Additional bicycle side bags will then be provided to you.
• Children and large groups benefit from discounts (see above tables). The children discounts apply if there are at least 2 adults and that the family stays in family rooms (rooms with 3 or more beds) when available.
• A 'solo traveller' supplement of 190 € is counted for individuals doing this tour alone.

    André, 69 years old

"In August I had the opportunity to do the cycling trip 'The Odyssey of the 4 countries', proposed by the agency Cyclodyssées. The preparations went well thanks to flexible support, including a certain category of hotels, the provision of a roadbook with personalised elements and the supply of GPS tracks for the various routes with variants, which can be used with a GPS device attached to the bike.
The choice of routes, hotels and points of interest proved to be very wise and rewarding. In addition, I was able to include an extension near Roetgen to visit the Haus Ternell nature centre with an information site, a museum and a shop about the High Fens region, as well as a restaurant. This cycling trip was an amazing experience for me, also thanks to the meticulous organisation of Cyclodyssées!"  September 2022

    Werner and Patricia, 59 and 60 years old

"Positive experience! Everything was top notch: communication before the start, hotels, logistics and quality of the route. Special mention for the roadbook, which teaches us a lot about the region! Thank you!"  August 2022