The best traffic-free bike rides around Kerpen

Kerpen offers a wide selection of car-free touring cycling routes, with over 150 options available. These routes cater to various skill levels, including 108 easy, 34 moderate, and 16 difficult tours, ensuring there's something for every cyclist looking for a peaceful ride.

Yes, Kerpen is ideal for family-friendly cycling with many easy, car-free routes. The Erft Cycle Path near Bergheim – Erft Flood Canal loop from Horrem is a great example, offering a gentle 17 km ride with minimal elevation gain. The Erft Cycle Path itself is known for its flat, idyllic sections, perfect for a relaxed family outing.

The no-traffic touring routes around Kerpen offer a diverse range of landscapes. You'll cycle through serene floodplain areas along the Erft River, explore unique vistas shaped by former lignite mining, and pass through extensive forest areas like the Kerpen city forest. Many routes feature flat loess landscapes, while others venture into the rolling hills of the nearby Eifel region, providing varied scenery for your ride.

Many car-free routes offer interesting sights. You can find unique viewpoints like the Glessener Höhe — Summit Cross and Viewpoint or the Pope's Hill (Papsthügel) on the Marienfeld. Historical sites such as the Roman Tower at Sophienhöhe are also accessible. The region is also dotted with historical castles, like Paffendorf Castle, which can be incorporated into your tours.

Yes, many no-traffic routes around Kerpen are designed as circular tours, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For instance, the View of Hambach Open-Pit Mine – Erft Cycle Path near Bergheim loop from Sindorf offers a moderate 34 km circular ride, showcasing the unique post-mining landscapes.

The best seasons for no-traffic touring cycling in Kerpen are generally spring and autumn. The mild climate during these months provides comfortable temperatures for longer rides, and the natural landscapes are particularly beautiful, whether with blooming flowers or vibrant autumn foliage. Summer can also be pleasant, especially on shaded forest routes.

Absolutely! The region around Kerpen is known for its water features. You can find routes that pass by the Erft River, the Erft Flood Canal, and newly reclaimed lake districts from former mining areas. Highlights like Obersee (Ville lake chain) or Middle Lake are popular stops along various routes.

The komoot community highly rates the no-traffic touring routes in Kerpen, with an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 1700 ratings. Reviewers often praise the peacefulness of the car-free paths, the diverse scenery ranging from river valleys to unique post-mining landscapes, and the well-maintained cycling infrastructure that makes for a smooth and enjoyable ride.

Yes, for more experienced cyclists looking for longer, car-free adventures, Kerpen offers several options. Routes that incorporate sections of the 110 km Erft Cycle Path or the 85 km 'Around the opencast mines of the region' provide extended distances. The Erft River near Bergheim – Erft Cycle Path near Bergheim loop from Ehemalige Kiesgrube bei Türnich is a moderate 45 km route that offers a good challenge.

Yes, Kerpen's unique landscape includes areas transformed by former lignite mining. Several no-traffic routes offer fascinating views of these sites and the new natural areas emerging from them. The View from Glessener Höhe loop from Horrem, for example, provides elevated perspectives over these distinctive landscapes.

While popular routes like sections of the Erft Cycle Path can see more visitors, many of Kerpen's 150+ no-traffic routes offer a quieter experience. Exploring routes through the smaller forest areas or those slightly off the main river paths can often lead to a more secluded ride. Komoot's route planner can help you discover less-trafficked options.