Kreuzau: Discover cycling routes, the reservoir and nature

Kreuzau appeals to travellers who want to experience nature and outdoor activities in different ways. The Water Castles Route follows the Rur from Kreuzau via Nideggen to Heimbach in the district of Düren. There are also hiking trails, a reservoir and natural areas such as Drover Heide. When planning your stay, it helps to distinguish between the different options: a cycling route along the Rur, a walk around the water or trails through a nature and bird sanctuary. This lets you tailor your stay to your travel group’s interests instead of trying to fit every activity into a single day’s itinerary.

Cycling, hiking and rowing at the reservoir

In Obermaubach, the reservoir and surrounding landscape shape the scenery. The RurUfer Cycle Route runs along the entire length of the reservoir. If you prefer to explore on foot, the Obermaubach Reservoir Circular Trail [43] is a seven-kilometre loop around the water. The Obermaubach reservoir also offers rowing; local rules may apply, so check locally before setting out. The cycling route, circular trail and water sports offer different ways to enjoy this place and help you plan your day around your preferred activity.

Obermaubach has also preserved its historic village character, with numerous half-timbered houses, and lies in the scenic surroundings of the North Eifel Nature Park. The village is accessible by the Rurtalbahn from Düren or Heimbach. If you are travelling by train, check the current timetable before your journey. This allows you to factor the journey into your plans without confusing the cycling and hiking options.

Nature trails and open landscapes

Drover Heide is a 670-hectare nature and bird sanctuary of European significance. A network of trails with colour-coded posts allows you to plan your own routes. There is also a wheelchair-accessible circular trail and an accessible path to the observation hill. If accessibility is important to your plans, check the conditions before your visit; you should also observe the rules in the protected area. The area combines nature and birdwatching with clearly signposted hiking options, so you don’t need to plan every walk in the same way.

The steep Rur Valley and the Rur reservoir in Obermaubach are also popular with locals and visitors. Kreuzau has revived the centuries-old tradition of winegrowing in the Rur Valley. Local culture and winegrowing thus add to the options for active days and nature experiences. If you are planning a family trip, you can decide together whether to devote a day mainly to cycling, a hike or time by the water.

Regional perspectives in the Düren travel destination

In the Düren travel destination, the RurUfer Cycle Route offers another way to explore the region: it runs via Monschau to Einruhr, along the Rursee, past Düren and Jülich, and through the Heinsberg region to Roermond. Train stations along the route make it possible to plan your own route and stages; individual sections can also be enjoyed as day trips. If you are making these plans, check train schedules and bicycle transport conditions separately. This lets you consider a regional cycling tour as a separate part of your trip, without confusing it with the routes around the Obermaubach reservoir.

Choosing the right accommodation

If you are travelling with children, you can discuss this question together and take everyone’s interests into account. This way, you can tailor your search to the kind of stay you would like in Kreuzau and the Düren travel destination.

Discover more destinations

You can also consider Thum as a travel destination.

Discover more destinations: Merzenich, Nörvenich, Jülich, Langerwehe, Titz, Niederzier.

Go to the regional travel overview: Düren.