We are poorly endowed with altimeters in the Netherlands. I am not made for climbing, but I really enjoy it. The Netherlands is not a top destination then. Of course, the alternatives to a ride in the Netherlands are obvious. Alps cols, Pyrenees, Dolomites or else the routes in the Ardennes. Germany is underrated in this respect. In the Eifel, beautiful climbs and cycling routes await you. With good infrastructure and the perfect 'kaffee & kuchen', cycling in the Eifel is the next best thing. To get over the cool gravel options (11 reservoir tour, anyone) not to mention! It makes cycling in the Eifel worthwhile anyway.
Basecamp Monschau
When leaving for another region, it is always good to have a nice 'Basecamp'. Of course, any hotel/apartment/shelter can serve as a basecamp, but some places are just a little better than others. Monschau is an ideal basecamp when cycling in the Eifel. All facilities available, good infrastructure and you're also right on the pitch where you really want to be. It's a bit on the western side of the Eifel region but nearby, so you do have the great routes to tackle. Only downside: the Hohe Acht, one of Germany's most beautiful and toughest climbs does lie on the edge of the range. A ride there and back is 160km plus over quite hilly terrain. But then you do grab the most beautiful mountain with insane views. 747m altitude and sections from 18 to 27%.
Cobblestones
From Monschau, you can grab several routes, and since it's a bit sandwiched between hills, it goes up from the picturesque centre pretty quickly. If you're thinking, I'm ready, start with the Eschbachstrasse in particular. The (Flemish) Ardennes enthusiast will be in for a treat as it's right on cobblestones up here! This turns into the Imgenbroich, a climb totalling two kilometres with 118 altimeters. Still, 6% and that to start with.
If you want a calmer start, grab the long climb towards Eupen, for example, which averages just 3.8% in 5.3 kilometres. Then you'll warm up a bit easier anyway. Disadvantage: then you are right back in Belgium, which is precisely why we do NOT want to go to Monschau and the Eifel. Anyway.
Auf geht's
For a nice stretch of cycling, you end up heading further north into the heart of the 'National Park Eifel'. Here you encounter the Ruhr river (which eventually ends up in Roermond) and you have several (beautiful) dams forming lakes, like at the Urfttalsperre. This is a 50-kilometre round trip there and back, with a few hundred altitude metres. Of course, there is also the option of doing a round trip around the lake via all kinds of secondary roads. Uphill, downhill. Enjoy!
If you just want to go back and forth, there are endless options for a nice return ride from the Talsperre. From Rurberg, for example, grab the Kesternich, where you can go up almost 6 kilometres at 4%. The same climb from Einruhr sticks another 500 metres and 0.2% extra percentage. Great fun! And while you're at it, towards Monschau you take the Grunentalstrasse, which takes you to 'greater heights' in 2 kilometres at 9.6%. Literally and figuratively.
Go North/South - Old railway track
We have to drop this tip here. Because how cool is it when you can cycle along old railway tracks? There are examples of this all over Europe, but you don't really see it this close to home. The start (or finish?) of this route is in Aachen, just across the border. You then have 128km (!) of route over/along the old railway line that actually follows the border of Belgium, Germany and later Luxembourg. Don't expect wild gradients here (after all, trains don't like that either), but do expect cool views and bridges, tunnels. The whole mik-mak you might expect on such a route along an old transport artery.
From Monschau you are about halfway along this route and if you take it south you actually dive straight into the (German-speaking) part of Belgium to eventually end up in the northern tip of Luxembourg. To the north you then take the route towards Aachen and stay mainly in Germany.
To the east and further to the southeast, this region also has brilliant climbs and routes. The climbs around Gemund are highly recommended, but are obviously a bit further from Monschau to begin with.
Road cycling in Eifel
Herewith a mighty road bike route through the Eifel. You might want to do that one in two days, but it's a great route to go cycling in the region
Stay
There are plenty of nice hotels, flats or holiday homes in and around Monschau. Just check the Bett+Bike options in the area, because that guarantees good accommodation. That's also where our 'secret tip' comes from, as the youth hostel in Monschau is a perfect place. Well, it's not high-end, no wellness or anything, but it's exactly what you need. And they have all the options for safe bike storage, routes, keys, cleaning areas, etc. And youth hostels in Germany are usually just nice and clean. Surely that's the least you can expect!
More info: www.eifel-info.de!
