Rhein-Erft-Kreis, a region situated west of Cologne in the heart of the Rhineland, offers a diverse landscape ideal for outdoor activities. Characterized by the flowing Erft river, the scenic Ville lake chain, and significant portions of the Naturpark Rheinland, the area presents varied terrain for exploration. This region also features unique re-cultivated landscapes, transformed from former industrial sites into recreational spaces. It provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Rhein-Erft-Kreis offers more than 7,000 routes across several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. Over 711,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.44 out of 5 stars for the routes in this region. For hikers, the Naturpark Rheinland and trails along the Erft river provide diverse options, including family-friendly hikes in Rhein-Erft-Kreis and easy hikes in Rhein-Erft-Kreis. Cyclists can explore an extensive network of paths, including sections of the Rhine Cycle Path and the Terra Nova Speedway, with routes along the Erft river often featuring minimal gradients. Mountain biking enthusiasts will find a selection of trails, including options like Kuxberg Jumpline, offering varying levels of difficulty.
208
Routes
4.5
(11250)
Average rating
48518
People visited

4.4
(165)
658
hikers
17.5km
05:26
90m
90m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.5
(98)
354
hikers
16.8km
04:21
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(55)
218
hikers
10.7km
02:44
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(47)
155
hikers
7.66km
02:26
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.5
(75)
293
riders
35.3km
02:12
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(38)
158
riders
50.4km
03:13
220m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(83)
338
riders
56.5km
03:39
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(67)
251
riders
50.8km
03:02
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(215)
362
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.6
(79)
233
riders
51.5km
04:09
700m
700m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(225)
491
riders
44.2km
03:07
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(89)
214
riders
49.5km
03:34
330m
330m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.5
(54)
594
riders
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.5
(43)
290
riders
58.7km
02:21
250m
250m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.2
(13)
250
riders
61.0km
02:33
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(10)
200
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.8
(33)
542
runners
7.37km
00:50
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
264
runners
11.1km
01:09
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

336
runners
6.32km
00:39
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(48)
415
runners
14.4km
01:36
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(6)
68
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
63
riders
53.2km
03:33
570m
570m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.7
(9)
72
riders
49.3km
03:30
650m
650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.7
(9)
65
riders
43.4km
02:31
150m
150m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Rhein-Erft-Kreis offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features over 7,600 routes for exploration. These activities take place across diverse landscapes such as the Naturpark Rheinland, along the Erft river, and around the Ville lake chain.
Yes, Rhein-Erft-Kreis offers numerous easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. Many routes feature minimal gradients, particularly those along the Erft river. Specific guides are available for planning these types of excursions, such as Easy hikes in Rhein-Erft-Kreis.
Rhein-Erft-Kreis features an extensive network of cycling paths for touring, road, and gravel biking. Notable routes include sections of the Rhine Cycle Path, the Terra Nova Speedway, and the Wasserburgenroute. Routes along the Erft river are often characterized by minimal gradients, making them accessible for various fitness levels. More information can be found in the Cycling in Rhein-Erft-Kreis guide.
Rhein-Erft-Kreis provides several family-friendly hiking routes. These trails are generally less strenuous and pass through scenic areas suitable for all ages. A dedicated guide, Family-friendly hikes in Rhein-Erft-Kreis, details suitable options.
Mountain biking enthusiasts can find various trails in Rhein-Erft-Kreis, including options like Kuxberg Jumpline, Sprungline IS, Zickzack IS, and Antennentrail. These trails offer different levels of difficulty. The MTB Trails in Rhein-Erft-Kreis guide provides further details on routes.
Yes, Rhein-Erft-Kreis offers dog-friendly hiking trails. Many paths through the Naturpark Rheinland and along the Erft river are suitable for walks with dogs. Specific routes and considerations for hiking with pets are outlined in the Dog-friendly hikes in Rhein-Erft-Kreis guide.
The region is characterized by the Erft river, the Ville lake chain (including Obersee and Bleibtreusee), and significant portions of the Naturpark Rheinland. It also features unique re-cultivated landscapes, which are former industrial sites transformed into recreational areas and habitats. These areas contribute to the district's diverse flora and fauna.
Outdoor activities in Rhein-Erft-Kreis are highly popular on komoot, with more than 711,000 visitors having explored the region. The over 7,600 routes available have received an average rating of 4.44 out of 5 stars from more than 135,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Rhein-Erft-Kreis provides options for traffic-free cycling. The Terra Nova Speedway, a 8.7-mile (14-kilometer) asphalted path, is an example of a route designed for cycling and inline skating without vehicle traffic. Additional routes are detailed in the Traffic-free bike rides in Rhein-Erft-Kreis guide.
Rhein-Erft-Kreis is home to several historical landmarks, including numerous moated castles and significant Romanesque churches. Notable examples include Paffendorf Castle and Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. These historical sites add a cultural dimension to outdoor exploration in the region.
Many hiking trails in Rhein-Erft-Kreis are accessible via public transport. The region has routes designed to start from bus stations, facilitating access for those without private vehicles. The Hikes from bus stations in Rhein-Erft-Kreis guide provides specific information on these routes.
The official website for Rhein-Erft-Kreis is www.rhein-erft-kreis.de. This website provides general information about the district and its services.

