Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Monschau

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Städteregion Aachen

Monschau

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

Highlight • Monument

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

Recommended by 50 cyclists out of 52

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

Save

Location: Monschau, Städteregion Aachen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Save

See rides here

Take Me There

Routes here

Top cycling routes to Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

4.7

(128)

430

riders

1. Along the Rur into the High Fens

51.0km

03:18

600m

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.7

(49)

204

riders

2. Venn and Rur landscapes near Monschau

35.7km

02:17

420m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.8

(78)

301

riders

3. Vennbahn Near Lammersdorf – Weser Reservoir (Eupen Dam) loop from Petergensfeld

51.3km

03:17

530m

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

Tips

Tamara (unterwegs)

July 10, 2023

Not far from the German-Belgian border is this rest area at the smugglers' memorial near Mutzenich. The bronze statue commemorates the coffee smuggling that flourished here in the post-war years. Up to 1,000 tons were smuggled across the border.

Translated by Google •

Oliver🌍

March 9, 2024

The bronze statue at the old customs office in Mützenich is a reminder of the post-war years of the former smugglers' village Mützenich, which was characterized by coffee smuggling. It looks back on an exciting and exciting past and has some curious stories. After the Second World War, the Vennbahn became a German exclave on Belgian territory. Coffee smuggling flourished in the village because it was in the center of the smuggling lines. By 1953, it was estimated that up to 1,000 tons were smuggled across the border. Against this background, for example, in 1952 a total of 52 smugglers were awaiting trial in the "Klingelpütz" in Cologne, a well-known prison at the time, 45 of whom came from Mützenisch alone. However, it was a more passive smuggling gang, as no one was armed and in the event of a confrontation they would flee. Pastor Scheidt, Mützenich's young Catholic pastor, was also impressed by this. He visited his little sheep who were in custody not only to give them comfort. Because he also gave you the advice to keep your mouth shut, “because no one needs to put the other person on the spot.” One of the reasons for the tongue-in-cheek support of the smugglers' souls was that the Mützenichers "always think European" because of their close ties to Belgium.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 620 m

Weather

Sunday 28 December

0°C

-4°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Monschau, Städteregion Aachen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Der Vennbahnradweg bei Kalterherberg

High Fens Nature Reserve

Mützenich Former Train Station Rest Area

Brackvenn Boardwalk and Beaver Habitat

Vennbahn Rail Trail Transition and Historic Train Carriages

Rur Riverside Trail

Hautes Fagnes – Eifel Nature Park

Monschau Old Town

Trail to the Summit of Steling

Rennweg Through the Fens

Reichenstein Viaduct

Rest area and Smuggler Monument Mützenich

1. Along the Rur into the High Fens

2. Venn and Rur landscapes near Monschau

3. Vennbahn Near Lammersdorf – Weser Reservoir (Eupen Dam) loop from Petergensfeld

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️