Cycling from Cologne to Brussels through three countries

Bike Touring Collection by Hannah

days

2-3 h

/ day

146 mi

3,150 ft

3,225 ft

Why only travel to well-known cities when there are so many hidden gems in the countryside? On a cycle Tour, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Discover Cologne, the famous cathedral city on the Rhine, and immerse yourself in the landscapes of the Netherlands and Belgium on your way to Brussels, the European capital.

In this Collection, I’ve divided this adventure between Cologne and Brussels into five stages. You always follow official cycling routes where possible. This itinerary isn’t signposted, so you’ll need to navigate as you go.

The stages are between 35 and 64 kilometres (22 and 40 mi) long and largely flat. You can also make the route more challenging by completing it in one or two days. My stage suggestion offers you a five-day cycling holiday with good accommodation in small villages, where you can also go canoeing or swimming in the lakes. You can also use the full Tour and decide the stages for yourself.

Cologne is accessible from various cities by train or long-distance bus, or you can hop straight on your bike. The long-distance bus is also the best option for the return journey from Brussels to Cologne as you can strap your bike to the back and return in under four hours. However, bike spaces are limited, so book well in advance. Have a wonderful city trip!

On The Map

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Cologne to Brussels (complete route)

147 mi

3,200 ft

3,250 ft

Last updated: October 10, 2023

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: Cologne to Linnich – cycling from Cologne to Brussels
03:44
37.9 mi
10.1 mph
725 ft
725 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Today your journey starts from the cathedral city to the European capital of Brussels. The starting point is the cathedral directly at the main station in Cologne, which you can easily reach by train from all directions. The route takes you to Linnich an der Rur over a total of 61 kilometers.

You leave…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 2: Linnich to Neustadt – cycling from Cologne to Brussels
02:01
21.8 mi
10.8 mph
350 ft
425 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
From Linnich we continue to Nieuwstadt. The route is only 36 kilometers long. So how about a paddling tour on the Rur in the morning? The canoe tours start directly in Linnich on the Place de Lesquin, for example to Hilfarth.

You start by bike in Linnich and ride over small village streets and country…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: Neustadt to Houthalen-Helchteren – cycling from Cologne to Brussels
02:28
25.8 mi
10.5 mph
550 ft
425 ft
Ferry
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
From Nieuwstadt you cycle 40 kilometers to Houthalen-Helchteren on Dutch dream bike paths and idyllic country lanes. So give yourself time for extended breaks and to explore the surroundings.

After ten kilometers you cross the Maas with the ferry, which is free on foot and by bike. At the same time…
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Stage 4: Houthalen-Helchteren to Leuven – cycling from Cologne to Brussels
03:41
38.9 mi
10.6 mph
725 ft
900 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Today you cycle 63 kilometers from the beautiful De Plaas Lake to Leuven (Dutch: Leuven), your last stop before Brussels. Wonderfully developed cycle paths lead you further through Belgium, such as the green route, which runs through the middle of nature.

There are also small towns along the route where…
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Stage 5: Wilsele to Brussels – cycling from Cologne to Brussels
02:09
21.4 mi
10.0 mph
825 ft
775 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The last 35 kilometers lead from Leuven to the final destination Bruxelles, in German Brussels. After a hearty breakfast you leave the beautiful city of Leuven and cycle to the banks of the Dilje. On small paths and village streets we continue through the village area.

After about 12 kilometers you will…
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