Rursee and back

The Rurdam (Rursee) is one of the prime tourist destinations in the northern Eifel. Beautiful it is - but it also can be very crowded. It can be fun to sit with like-minded in the restaurants at the lake, and watch the crowds pass by. But it is a long ride, so don't indulge for too long.

Motorbikes can be a hazard on those parts of the route that follow minor roads; the area is an Eldorado also for motorbike enthusiasts who love the hairpin turns and the up and down. For cyclists, they can be a nuisance - so we recommend to avoid the 'busy' summer weekends where motorbikes will do their rounds.

The first stretch of our trail takes you to the Forsthaus Rothe Kreuz, beyond the village of Höfen. We didn't take the shortest route, but one that is particularly pleasant for bicycles. From the Forsthaus, the long descent begins to Einruhr. Several ways might be possible - if you follow our tracks you will pass the Wolfshügel - a particular beautiful viewpoint towards Einruhr, that you should not miss.

When in Einruhr, take your pick of the many lakeside restaurants.

We return along the Rur-Ufer Radweg - the signposted bicycle trail along the bank of the Rur stream; going upstream, passing through tiny villages and hamlets. In part the valley is very narrow, and you have no option than to follow the asphalt road.

At waypoint Grünental I we followed the signposts - going very steeply uphill, just to descend into the valley again. The route has been thus signposted to avoid the private property of the Grünental Restaurant. This is foolish, to say the least, as you may well continue along to the restaurant and on - you even may chose to take some refreshments here! The two options meet again at waypoint Grünental II.

The trail continues into the cobbled roads of Monschau. Unless you have never been to Monschau before, we suggest to take the trail we took - it avoids some of the heaviest pedestrian traffic and allows you to go through Monschau with ease.

Leave Monschau along the Rur stream; at Dreistegen you leave the asphalt road again and follow the beautiful Rur valley up to Monastery Reichenstein (now closed for visitors) and the Norbertus Chapel. Still following the Rur, continue on forest roads back to Kalterherberg.