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Panoramic view of Cologne

Rhine Cycle Path V, Cologne – Arnheim

From Cologne to Arnheim

7 Days / 6 Nights
Easy
Panoramic view of Cologne

This picturesque cycle path meanders alongside the Rhine River, reflecting the dynamic flow of the water. Embark on a seven-day tour from the historic German city of Cologne, renowned for its stunning cathedral, to Arnhem in the Netherlands. Throughout your journey, you'll experience a harmonious blend of industrial heritage and natural beauty, coupled with cultural attractions and delectable cuisine. Vibrant cities such as Düsseldorf, Duisburg, and Arnhem await as your overnight destinations during this memorable adventure.

  • Here you can find plenty of additional information and tour tips for the Rhine Cycle Path.

Cologne offers a wealth of sights to explore, particularly in and around the cathedral. Venture into medieval Zons to discover historic walls and even a windmill. On the first day, your cycling journey takes you to Düsseldorf, where you'll find plenty to explore between the elegant Königsallee and charming pubs. Continuing along the Rhine's banks, you'll reach Kaiserswerth. As industrial influences begin to emerge, Duisburg isn't far ahead.

Day 4 brings a highlight with a visit to the Hüttenberg Duisburg Nord. Following an extensive exploration, the journey continues along the Rhine through the nature reserve to Wesel. After a night in the Hanseatic city, the itinerary includes visits to Xanten and Bad Essen. Just before Emmerich, you'll encounter the stunning Golden Gate of the Lower Rhine before crossing the Dutch border on the final leg of the stage. And before you head home, be sure not to miss seeing a traditional Dutch windmill!

  • Düsseldorf's Cultural Delights: In diverse Düsseldorf, there are several must-visit spots, including the Medienhafen with its contemporary architecture, the charming old town dotted with traditional pubs, and the upscale Königsallee boasting exclusive stores. For an insider tip, explore the Japanese Quarter for authentic cuisine, and take a leisurely stroll through the Hofgarten for tranquility and relaxation.
  • A look at the industrial history of the Duisburg Nord Landscape Park: The Hüttenwerk, once a steelworks in Duisburg-Meiderich, has been transformed into an industrial park and cultural hub. Within the landscape park, you can explore remarkable industrial structures, appreciate art installations, and join guided tours.
  • Over the Golden Gate on the Lower Rhine: The name "Golden Gate" refers to a lovingly restored, gold-colored bridge stretching over the Rhine-Herne Canal. This bridge is playfully nicknamed after San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge due to its striking resemblance. Its golden hue and remarkable design render it a favorite subject for photographs.

The Rhine Cycle Path is renowned for its well-developed bike trails, offering diverse experiences and the opportunity to explore the picturesque region on two wheels. The route is mostly flat, and the daily distances ranging from 40 to 50 kilometers are not overly long.

The Rhine Cycle Path is one of Europe's most popular long-distance cycling routes, stretching along the Rhine from the Alps to the North Sea. It traverses multiple countries such as Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, offering breathtaking landscapes, historic cities, picturesque villages, and cultural landmarks along the way.

Itinerary at a glance

Before reaching Düsseldorf, you'll come across the medieval town of Zons, and near Duisburg, you'll find the decommissioned ironworks with its blast furnace and ore bunker. Cycle across Germany's longest suspension bridge and stroll through the Hanseatic city of Emmerich.

Arrive at Cologne in time and visit the famous Cologne Cathedral and the picturesque old town.

With Cologne humor in the baggage you leave the cathedral city and cycle along the banks of the Rhine till you reach the medieval town of Zons. This fortress city with a city wall still entirely preserved is also called the Rothenburg of the Rhineland'. It features the mighty Rhine Tower from 1388, the Juddeturm with baroque dome and a windmill with a wooden mill from the 17th century. You continue cycling the Rhine cycle path and in the afternoon you reach Düsseldorf's Old Town, also known as "the longest bar in the world'. This expression leads back to the 250 pubs, restaurants and bars, lined up in the streets of the old town. Relax with a real Düsseldorf Altbier at Castle Square and enjoy a wonderful view of the Rhine.

Again directly on the Rhine you cycle first to Kaiserswerth with the picturesque ruins of "Kaiserpfalz". Shortly after you take the ferry to cross the river to the left side of the Rhine. Here you take a short sidetrip to see the Moated Castle Linn. The green floodplains drain away and make space for impressive industrial architecture until the cycle path leads on the right side of the Rhine to the river mouth of the Ruhr. From here it is only a short distance to downtown Duisburg. Here it is worthwhile to take a boat tour of the largest inland port in Europe before you let the evening fade away in one of the many bars and restaurants at the harbor and waterfront.

With a short train journey (6 minutes) you get to the district Duisburg Meiderich and from here you can cycle directly to the Landscape Park "Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord" , a 200-hectare disused steelwork. It is possible to take a guided tour about industrial history and climb the blast furnace (only from May to September). Visitors can walk through the former ore bunkers and get explanation about casthouse, Gasometer and Gebläsehalle. After this impressive visit, which certainly is considered a highlight of this bike trip, you follow a comfortable bike path on an old railway line to the River Rhine. After a few kilometers you cycle on the left side of the river through rural idyll and nature reserves at the Lower Rhine to the Hanseatic city of Wesel with his Prussian Museum. A day of biking can not be more varied!

Today the Rhine cycle path leads first to Xanten with the historic downtown, the splendidly decorated St. Victor's Cathedral and the Archaeological Park and Roman Museum, which is by itself worth a trip. From here you continue the route along inviting bathing lakes and enjoy beautiful views of the wild Rhine-current to the amusement park "Wunderland Kalkar". Finally you reach the longest suspension bridge in Germany, also called as Golden Gate on the Lower Rhine. Your destination is the old Hanseatic city of Emmerich with the beautiful Rhine promenade, which still invites to an end-of-day stroll.

Today's stage also holds new impressions. In the morning you will cross the Rhine by ferry to the Dutch side and cycle past the place where the river divides into Waal and Niederrijn. This is called the Rhine delta, which stretches all the way to the North Sea. Follow the Niederrijn on raised dams, through locks and over bridges to the old town of Arnhem, where can enjoy a wide range of shopping. You can revel in history at the Arnhem Bridge Information Center and visit more than 80 historic Dutch houses and windmills at the open-air museum.

Day
07
Departure or extension

Difficulty Level

Easy

The route is consistently flat and always follows the signposted Rhine Cycle Path.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Our Rental Bikes

The different types of rental bikes at a glance

Men's Rental Rental - Symbol photo
Men's bike

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Available gear options can be found in the price table

Unisex Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Unisex bike

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Available gear options can be found in the price table

E-Bike rental bike - Symbol photo
Unisex Electro bike

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in comfortable middle-class hotels
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • 1 Guided tour in Park “Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord” from May to September (German)
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Service-Hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer by minibus to Cologne every Saturday approx. 8am, costs EUR 139 per person, for your own bike additionally EUR 40, to be paid in advance, reservation is necessary

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Cologne train station
  • Cologne/Bonn or Düsseldorf airport
  • Hotel garage, costs approx. EUR 12 per night, no reservation possible, to be paid for at the time
  • Good train connections from Arnheim to Cologne

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Tickets for the ferry across river Rhine to be organised on your own, costs approx. EUR 2 to EUR 5 per person incl. bike
  • Ticket for the train in Duisburg to Landschaftspark to be organised on your own, costs approx. EUR 5 per person incl. bike
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of EUR 20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in comfortable middle-class hotels
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • 1 Guided tour in Park “Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord” from May to September (German)
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer by minibus to Cologne every Saturday approx. 8am, costs EUR 139 per person, for your own bike additionally EUR 40, to be paid in advance, reservation is necessary

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Cologne train station
  • Cologne/Bonn or Düsseldorf airport
  • Hotel garage, costs approx. EUR 18 per day
  • Good train connections from Arnheim to Cologne

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Tickets for the ferry across river Rhine to be organised on your own, costs approx. EUR 2 to EUR 5 per person incl. bike
  • Ticket for the train in Duisburg to Landschaftspark to be organised on your own, costs approx. EUR 5 per person incl. bike
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of EUR 20 per room.

Stefanie Rudinger

"I look forward to making your vacation dreams come true."

Stefanie Kastenauer
Travel Specialist
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