Vennbahn and 5 good alternative railway cycle routes
The Vennbahn is a 125-kilometre-long railway cycle route built on a former railway line that crosses three countries - Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. Its flat profile and smooth surfaces make it accessible to cyclists of all levels. The route is almost entirely traffic-free, which adds to its relaxed character. Clear signage and consistent surfaces make planning and riding straightforward. It is one of Europe’s best-known examples of a high-quality rail trail.
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Route on the map
GPX file (GPS track): cyclingthread.com-vennbahn.gpx
Vennbahn - a cross-border railway cycle route
Starting in Aachen, the route quickly leaves the urban area and follows a gentle line through forests, open plateaus and small towns shaped by borderland history. One of its most distinctive sections runs through the High Fens (Hohes Venn) nature reserve, where open landscapes and wide views dominate the ride. Along the way, cyclists pass places such as Monschau, St. Vith and Raeren. Former railway stations, museums and historic town centres add cultural depth to the journey. The railway heritage remains visible throughout the route.
The Vennbahn ends in Troisvierges in northern Luxembourg, completing a compact and clearly structured cross-border trip. Its success has helped popularise former railway lines as cycling routes across Europe. Many cyclists are drawn to the combination of gentle gradients, quiet paths and coherent regional storytelling. For those looking for similar experiences, there are several other railway cycle routes that offer comparable comfort and atmosphere. These alternatives show that the appeal of rail trails extends far beyond the Vennbahn itself.
- Hessen Railway Cycle Route (Bahnradweg Hessen) - Hesse, Germany
- Brenner-Bolzano Bicycle Route - South Tyrol, Italy
- Cycling Route around the Tatras (Szlak rowerowy wokół Tatr) - Poland, Slovakia
- Old Railway Route (Stary Kolejowy Szlak) - West Pomerania, Poland
- Bregenz Forest Route (Bregenzerwald Route) - Vorarlberg, Austria
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Hessen Railway Cycle Route (Bahnradweg Hessen) - Hesse, Germany
The Hessen Railway Cycle Route is the longest cycling route in Europe created along former railway lines, with a total length of nearly 300 kilometres. It combines six individual rail trails, each with its own landscape character. Like the Vennbahn, the route is defined by gentle gradients, smooth surfaces and a strong railway heritage that makes riding relaxed and predictable. One of its most distinctive features is the Milseburg tunnel, a 1,172-metre-long former railway tunnel equipped with motion-activated lighting for cyclists.
More: Hessen Railway Cycle Route in Germany
Brenner-Bolzano Bicycle Route - South Tyrol, Italy
The Brenner–Bolzano Bike Route in South Tyrol is a nearly 100-kilometre cycling route that makes use of long sections of a former railway line abandoned during the modernisation of the Brenner Railway in the 1990s. Its steady gradients and predictable profile make it easy to ride, even over longer distances. In this respect, it shares key characteristics with the Vennbahn, particularly the way railway infrastructure shapes a calm and continuous cycling experience. The route also benefits from strong connections to public transport and Bolzano’s dense urban cycling network, making logistics straightforward.
More: South Tyrol - Brenner-Bolzano Bike Route (coming soon) 👇
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Cycling Route around the Tatras (Szlak rowerowy wokół Tatr) - Poland, Slovakia
The first section of the Cycling Route around the Tatras runs from Nowy Targ to Trzciana in Slovakia, following more than 40 kilometres of a former railway line closed in 1989. This historic corridor, once used by trains transporting goods and even sheep toward the Bieszczady Mountains, has been given a new life as a cycling route. As with the Vennbahn, the reuse of railway infrastructure ensures gentle gradients and a clear, linear layout that suits relaxed touring. Two renovated steel railway bridges over the Wielki Rogoźnik and Czarny Dunajec rivers have become visual symbols of the route.
More: Cycling Route around the Tatras (coming soon) 👇
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Old Railway Route (Stary Kolejowy Szlak) - West Pomerania, Poland
On the Old Railway Bike Route in West Pomerania, cyclists can ride long sections built directly on the embankments of dismantled railway lines. The first major stretch runs from Karlino to Zieleniewo near Kołobrzeg, with only a short interruption in Gościno, while the second connects Złocieniec with Połczyn-Zdrój. In total, the Old Railway Bike Route will reach roughly 250 kilometres in length. Like the Vennbahn, it shows how former railway lines can be successfully adapted into comfortable, long-distance cycling routes with gentle gradients and clear navigation.
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Bregenz Forest Route (Bregenzerwald Route) - Vorarlberg, Austria
In Vorarlberg, cyclists benefit from a dense network of clearly marked and well-maintained cycling routes. One of the most distinctive sections follows the former Bregenzerwaldbahn railway line, applying a rail-to-trail idea similar to the Vennbahn. This stretch, just over 20 kilometres long, connects Egg and Doren, offering a calm, linear riding experience shaped by its railway past. Part of the route runs along a narrow gravel path through the valley of the Bregenzerach River, adding a distinctly alpine setting.
More: Bregenz Forest Route in Vorarlberg
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Simon Thread
(Szymon Nitka)
I'm a passionate cycling traveler and the voice behind Cycling Thread. I explore Europe on two wheels, documenting the most scenic routes, inspiring places and cyclist-friendly practices. My writing blends personal experience with practical insights and a deep love of travel. I'm also a contributor to National Geographic Traveler magazine.
