The Via Belgica is divided into seven stages for hikers and three stages for cyclists. In addition, both hikers and cyclists can explore the surroundings of the Via Belgica on four excursions.
Follow in the footsteps of the Romans and walk along the former Roman road, the ‘Via Belgica’, on the first stage of the route from the Roman-Germanic Museum in Cologne to the Roman tomb at Weiden, and immerse yourself in the Roman history of the Rhineland. Photo: Roman-Germanic Museum
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The second stage of the Via Belgica takes you through the Königsdorf Forest, where deep cuts in the landscape at various points give an idea of the former route of the Roman road
Photo: Susanne Jenter, LVR-ABR
View the route on OutdooractiveThe third stage of the Via Belgica takes us from Quadrath-Ichendorf to Elsdorf. On the outskirts of Thorr, we come across the original route of the Via Belgica. An information board by the old church tower provides details about the village’s Roman past.
Photo: Andrea Gahr, Town of Bergheim
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We start our tour at the Hambach car park below Sophienhöhe and rejoin the original route of the Via Belgica just before Stetternich. Impressive historic milestones to the west of the slag heap serve as a reminder of the past of this section of the Via Belgica, which is even listed as a historic monument.
Photo: Patrick Gawandtka
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The fifth stage of the Via Belgica begins in the former fortified town of Jülich. After just a few hundred metres, we come to the first information panel, where we can learn about the Roman road settlement of Neubourheim.
Aerial view: G. Amtmann
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As we continue on our way, we pass three historically significant buildings – Setterich Castle, the former Setterich windmill and Baesweiler Castle – where further information boards provide fascinating details about their past, before we reach the next slag heap at Carl-Alexander Park.
Photo: Town of Baesweiler
View the route on OutdooractiveFrom Gut Blaustein, we follow the ancient highway exactly. The path leads us along the Carolus Magnus slag heap towards the border, past the water tower, which was once the landmark of the former mine and thus also of the town of Übach-Palenberg.
Photo: Nora Andrikopoulou, LVR-ABR
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Stage 1: Cologne city centre to Quadrat-Ichendorf - 30,8 km
Stage 2: Quadrat-Ichendorf to Jülich - 30,4 km
Jülich to Übach-Palenberg - 32,7 km
The walk, which is approximately 8 km long, starts at the north-western end of the Erftaue Leisure Park and takes us to the idyllic Paffendorf Castle. The brick building, constructed in the Renaissance style, is completely surrounded by moats and was built between 1531 and 1546.
Photo: RWE Power AG
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This tour, covering approximately 13 km, takes in three impressive castles – Hambach Castle, Obbendorf Castle and Niederzier Castle – in the villages of Hambach and Niederzier. Photo: Niederzier Local Council
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Over 6,000 years of settlement history right on the Via Belgica: the municipality of Aldenhoven, which we visit on this roughly 20-kilometre loop, has Roman roots. However, settlements in Aldenhoven and the district of Niedermerz also date back to the so-called Rössener culture (4,000 BC).
Photo: Municipality of Aldenhoven
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Dutch, Germans and Romans? This unique mix awaits visitors in Herzogenrath. Explore the town and the border region around Herzogenrath on this circular route, which covers around 20 km. For where the Romans once settled, the European ideal is now brought to life.
Photo: Town of Herzogenrath
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