Between Luxembourg and Lyon lies the Bike Route of the Year 2026, according to the jury. The announcement fell at the Cycling and Hiking Fair, where the 727-kilometre route along the Moselle and Saône rivers won out over the Achterhoek. Based on the map and the route description, this choice looks logical. At the same time, the nomination shows that the Achterhoek was a strong contender.
727 kilometres along two rivers
The winning route starts in Luxembourg City and ends in Lyon. Along the way you follow two major river valleys: first the Moselle, then the Saône. The profile is mostly flat, the trail mostly clear and you could say you don't notice you're going from Luxembourg to France, as the paths join almost seamlessly.... 727 kilometres mostly along rivers and on trails where you won't be bothered by cars. That makes it a lovely holiday route.
The judges judged on signage, the quality of the road or surface, facilities and originality of the route. That combination of length, ease of crossing the border and how the route had been thought through in terms of logistics was ultimately the deciding factor. Along the route there are several campsites and bed and breakfasts literally up against the cycle path, with the familiar signs for cyclists everywhere. For those who need it, there are even charging points for e-bikes. In terms of planning: count on some 8-10 days if you want to tour leisurely at 70-90 km a day, but for the keen road cyclist or gravel rider : divide this in half. And if you are hungry: the tarte aux mirabelles serves as a flan substitute here.
The Achterhoek as strong number two
The Achterhoek, and specifically the area around Winterswijk, was one of the other finalists. The nomination for that route came mainly because of its famous coulisse landscape: a mix of small-scale agriculture, forests, winding paths and wooded banks. In addition, the region has one of the densest junction networks in the Netherlands, allowing you to vary your routes in many ways. We then mainly use Komoot and Veloplanner, but for those who prefer cycling by numbers, this is a great indicator.
Municipalities as Berkelland, Bronckhorst and Winterswijk are investing heavily in cycling infrastructure and tourist facilities. This is reflected in the quality of paths and facilities along the way. For a long weekend by bike, with good bike storage and a bakery with apple pie around the corner, the Achterhoek is a much-loved region in the Netherlands.
The difference between the finalists is mainly in scale and character. The Luxembourg-Lyon route is an international route that you cannot ride in one day. The Achterhoek offers a compact, regional network where you can ride several day trips in two or three days. The Voie Bleu route and the Achterhoek thus serve different types of cycling trips. We prefer the Achterhoek for a day
And now?
Those looking for a multi-day route can go all out on the 727 kilometres between Luxembourg and Lyon. However, if you prefer a route close to home, opt for the Achterhoek. We still have a few tips!
Have you already cycled stretches along the Moselle or Saône? Or do you know an Achterhoek loop that should not be missed here? Let us know!
