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Cycle route · Aachen · Updated on 14 November 2026

Pilgerroute NRW cycle route

Pilgerroute NRW is a cycle route of 492.7 km from Aachen. Along the way you'll find 2,397 benches, 23 water fountains and refill points, 69 public toilets, 24 bike pumps and 1 honesty box.

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Pilgerroute NRW
Teilstück Römische Wasserleitung · after 110.4 km
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Photo: Mediatus · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Pilgerroute NRW, photo 2
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Photo: ---BBKurt 16:05, 31 August 2007 (UTC) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Pilgerroute NRW, photo 3
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Photo: ArthurMcGill · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons

The route step by step

From start to finish, with what you pass along the way and the distance in between.

  • 492.7 km
  • ± 32:50 h
  • ↑ 1,614 m · ↓ 1,612 m
  • Hard
  • From A to B
  • National route

  1. Start in Aachen

    0 km

    At the start: Centre Charlemagne, Domschatzkammer, 2 public toilets and water point.

  2. 160 m · 15 benches

    Grashaus and 1 more

    160 m

    Aachen Cathedral and water point

  3. 170 m · 2 benches

    Römische Mauer and 1 more

    330 m

    Elisenbrunnen, public toilet, water point and bike pump

  4. 253 m · 29 benches

    Public toilet

    583 m

  5. 1.4 km · 47 benches

    Burg Frankenberg

    2 km

    2 public toilets

  6. 1.2 km · 16 benches

    Public toilet

    3.2 km

  7. 5.8 km · 27 benches

    Bike pump

    9 km

  8. 1.1 km · 11 benches

    Bike pump

    10.1 km

  9. 3 km · 21 benches

    Bike pump

    13.1 km

  10. 519 m · 16 benches

    Public toilet

    13.6 km

  11. 265 m · 3 benches

    kunsthaus nrw

    13.9 km

    Museum

  12. 188 m · 16 benches

    Water point

    14 km

  13. 38.4 km · 73 benches

    Public toilet

    52.4 km

  14. 7 km · 35 benches

    Public toilet

    59.4 km

  15. 212 m · 6 benches

    Burg Blens

    59.6 km

    Castle

  16. 825 m · bench

    Public toilet

    60.5 km

  17. 4.7 km · 7 benches

    2 public toilets and water point

    65.2 km

  18. 479 m · 17 benches

    Burg Hengebach

    65.7 km

    3 public toilets and bike pump

  19. 15 km · 52 benches

    2 public toilets

    80.7 km

  20. 696 m · 3 benches

    Public toilet

    81.4 km

  21. 1.1 km · 4 benches

    Burg Kommern

    82.5 km

    3 public toilets

  22. 1.9 km · 12 benches

    Water point

    84.3 km

  23. 12.3 km · 54 benches

    Public toilet

    96.6 km

  24. 13.8 km · 17 benches

    Teilstück Römische Wasserleitung

    110.4 km

    Ruins · Audio story · 2 min

  25. 3.3 km

    Bike pump

    113.7 km

  26. 3.4 km · bench

    Public toilet

    117.1 km

  27. 6.5 km · 8 benches

    Burg Odenhausen

    123.6 km

    Castle

  28. 3.5 km · 6 benches

    Observation tower

    127.1 km

    Observation tower

  29. 8.8 km · 81 benches

    von Carstanjen Mausoleum

    135.9 km

    Attraction

  30. 2.7 km · 14 benches

    Bismarckturm Bonn-Gronau

    138.6 km

    Attraction

Show the other 88 steps

  1. 200 m · bench

    Denkmal der Kriegsgefangenen

    138.8 km

    Memorial

  2. 549 m · 9 benches

    Public toilet

    139.3 km

  3. 157 m · 4 benches

    Altes Wasserwerk

    139.5 km

    Attraction

  4. 167 m · 5 benches

    Ehemaliger Deutscher Bundestag

    139.7 km

    Attraction

  5. 471 m · 18 benches

    Kanzler-Teehaus and 1 more

    140.1 km

    Villa Hammerschmidt

  6. 905 m · 38 benches

    Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Haus

    141 km

    Museum

  7. 616 m · 24 benches

    Beethoven and 2 more

    141.6 km

    Alter Zoll, Lenné-Haus and public toilet

  8. 167 m · 6 benches

    Public toilet and water point

    141.8 km

  9. 240 m · 9 benches

    Brückenmännchen and 1 more

    142.1 km

    Synagoge Bonn Denkmal and water point

  10. 4.6 km · 50 benches

    Siegfähre

    146.6 km

    Attraction

  11. 3.2 km · 25 benches

    Public toilet

    149.9 km

  12. 822 m · 11 benches

    Bike pump

    150.7 km

  13. 2.3 km · 23 benches

    Bike pump

    152.9 km

  14. 2.3 km · 17 benches

    Water point

    155.2 km

  15. 230 m · 7 benches

    Bike pump

    155.4 km

  16. 3.5 km · 9 benches

    Burg Lülsdorf

    158.9 km

    Castle

  17. 1.6 km · 6 benches

    Bike pump

    160.6 km

  18. 7.2 km · 34 benches

    2 public toilets

    167.7 km

  19. 6.8 km · 94 benches

    Public toilet

    174.5 km

  20. 1.9 km · 10 benches

    Public toilet

    176.4 km

  21. 836 m · 13 benches

    Public toilet

    177.2 km

  22. 882 m · 22 benches

    Public toilet

    178.1 km

  23. 1.3 km · 32 benches

    Public toilet

    179.5 km

  24. 452 m

    Pegel Köln

    179.9 km

    Public toilet

  25. 175 m

    Cologne Museum of the History of Medicine

    180.1 km

    Public toilet

  26. 303 m · 5 benches

    Mahnmal für die schwulen und lesbischen Opfer des Nationalsozialismus in Köln and 3 more

    180.4 km

    Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II., Mahnmal für verfolgte Armenier and Reiterstandbild Kaiser Friedrich III.

  27. 6.4 km · 83 benches

    Public toilet

    186.7 km

  28. 857 m · 6 benches

    Public toilet

    187.6 km

  29. 16.1 km · 76 benches

    Public toilet

    203.6 km

  30. 9 km · 65 benches

    Public toilet, water point and bike pump

    212.7 km

  31. 6.1 km · 59 benches

    Public toilet and water point

    218.8 km

  32. 3.3 km · 7 benches

    Public toilet

    222.1 km

  33. 271 m

    Public toilet

    222.3 km

  34. 2.8 km · 8 benches

    Water point

    225.1 km

  35. 4.3 km · 32 benches

    2 public toilets

    229.4 km

  36. 440 m · 7 benches

    Triton-Brunnen and 1 more

    229.9 km

    Schadow-Denkmal

  37. 234 m · 16 benches

    Peter von Cornelius and 1 more

    230.1 km

    Kriegerdenkmal im Hofgarten and public toilet

  38. 243 m · 8 benches

    K20 - Kunstsammlung NRW

    230.3 km

    Public toilet

  39. 549 m · 13 benches

    Denkmal der 39er

    230.9 km

    Memorial

  40. 242 m · 22 benches

    NRW-Forum Düsseldorf

    231.1 km

    Water point

  41. 226 m · 29 benches

    Glasmuseum Hentrich and 1 more

    231.4 km

    Rheinterrasse

  42. 191 m · 11 benches

    Public toilet

    231.5 km

  43. 651 m · 15 benches

    Public toilet

    232.2 km

  44. 403 m · 2 benches

    Public toilet

    232.6 km

  45. 362 m · 10 benches

    Public toilet

    233 km

  46. 527 m

    39er-Denkmal

    233.5 km

    Memorial

  47. 2.4 km · 8 benches

    Water point

    235.9 km

  48. 5.7 km · 23 benches

    Kaiserpfalz

    241.6 km

    Public toilet

  49. 2.6 km · 17 benches

    Schwarzbachmündung

    244.3 km

    Attraction

  50. 14.6 km · 83 benches

    Bike pump

    258.9 km

  51. 3.5 km · 32 benches

    Public toilet

    262.4 km

  52. 205 m · 6 benches

    Public toilet

    262.6 km

  53. 2.7 km · 6 benches

    Ruhrorter Tönnekesdrieter and 2 more

    265.3 km

    Haniel Museum and Schifferbörse

  54. 162 m

    Museumsschiff "Oscar Huber"

    265.4 km

    Museum

  55. 19.9 km · 130 benches

    Water point and bike pump

    285.4 km

  56. 12.7 km · 10 benches

    Fort Blücher

    298.1 km

    Fort

  57. 2 km · 2 benches

    Zitadelle Wesel

    300.1 km

    Castle

  58. 11.9 km · 28 benches

    Krudenburg

    312 km

    Public toilet and water point

  59. 17.4 km · 28 benches

    Public toilet and 2 bike pumps

    329.4 km

  60. 248 m · 10 benches

    Water point

    329.7 km

  61. 783 m · bench

    Public toilet

    330.5 km

  62. 11.6 km · 16 benches

    Bike pump

    342 km

  63. 5.2 km · 4 benches

    Honesty box

    347.2 km

  64. 2.8 km · 16 benches

    Public toilet and 2 bike pumps

    350 km

  65. 21.7 km · 29 benches

    Public toilet

    371.6 km

  66. 1.3 km · 4 benches

    Observation tower

    372.9 km

    Observation tower

  67. 28.4 km · 19 benches

    Water point

    401.3 km

  68. 4.5 km · 13 benches

    Water point

    405.8 km

  69. 526 m · 8 benches

    Burg Davensberg

    406.3 km

    Castle

  70. 19.9 km · 35 benches

    Bike pump

    426.2 km

  71. 2.9 km · 7 benches

    Public toilet

    429.1 km

  72. 1.1 km · 24 benches

    Bike pump

    430.3 km

  73. 551 m · 15 benches

    Bike pump

    430.8 km

  74. 413 m · 8 benches

    Ehrenmal Kürassierregiment

    431.2 km

    Water point

  75. 754 m · 36 benches

    Public toilet

    432 km

  76. 308 m · 6 benches

    Bike pump

    432.3 km

  77. 224 m · 12 benches

    Public toilet

    432.5 km

  78. 596 m · 21 benches

    Annette von Droste-Hülshoff and 1 more

    433.1 km

    Julius Otto Grimm

  79. 490 m · 20 benches

    Public toilet and water point

    433.6 km

  80. 177 m · 11 benches

    Zwinger

    433.8 km

    Attraction

  81. 1.2 km · 21 benches

    Public toilet

    435 km

  82. 1 km · 25 benches

    Bike pump

    436.1 km

  83. 3.3 km · 12 benches

    Public toilet

    439.3 km

  84. 6.3 km · 6 benches

    Bike pump

    445.6 km

  85. 2.3 km · 22 benches

    Relígio

    447.9 km

    Public toilet

  86. 5 km · 24 benches

    Haus Langen

    452.9 km

    Castle

  87. 32.7 km · 40 benches

    2 public toilets and 2 water fountains and refill points

    485.6 km

  88. 7.1 km · 16 benches

    Finish

    492.7 km
Follow these steps in the app

Longest stretch without a toilet: 57.5 kmBetween 371.6 km and 429.1 km there is no public toilet within 100 m of the route.

The route with the pitstops and sights within 100 m of it.

62 sights along the way

In the order you pass them. With the Outdoor Pitstop app you hear their story on the spot. 54 more along the route are on the map.

Elevation and terrain

Up
↑ 1,614 m
Down
↓ 1,612 m
Highest point
394 m
Lowest point
21 m
  • 5-10% slope · 2.5 km

Elevation from Copernicus GLO-30 (European Union and ESA), smoothed.

produced using Copernicus WorldDEM-30 © DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018 provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA; all rights reserved

Way types

492.7 km in total
  • Path: 183.2 km
  • Road: 122.9 km
  • Street: 90.5 km
  • Track: 43.4 km
  • Busy road: 18.9 km
  • Cycle path: 15 km
  • Footpath (walk your bike): 12.9 km
  • Unknown: 4.6 km

Surfaces

492.7 km in total
  • Asphalt: 394.1 km
  • Paved: 51.1 km
  • Gravel: 39.6 km
  • Unpaved: 325 m
  • Unknown: 6.2 km

About the cycle route Pilgerroute NRW

Updated on 14 November 2026, with data from OpenStreetMap, the AHN and Copernicus.

Where do you cycle?

Pilgerroute NRW is a cycle route of 492.7 km that starts in Aachen. It does not end where it starts. You start in Aachen and finish in Bad Iburg. Along the way you pass Centre Charlemagne (after 30 m), Domschatzkammer (after 88 m) and Grashaus (after 160 m).

How hard is the route?

You climb 1,614 m in total and descend 1,612 m. Allow ± 32:50 h, without breaks. The level is hard.

What roads do you cycle on?

The longest part is path (183.2 km), road (122.9 km) and street (90.5 km). Of the surface, 394.1 km asphalt and 51.1 km paved. For 6.2 km the surface is not known.

Pitstops along the way

Within 100 metres of the route there are 2,397 benches, 23 water fountains and refill points, 69 public toilets, 24 bike pumps and 1 honesty box. The longest stretch without a toilet is 57.5 km. The Outdoor Pitstop app navigates you there.

Part of Pilgerroute

Cycle routes nearby

6
Map ›

Sights nearby

Within 10 km of the route, best known first.

  1. 1Cologne CathedralCologne CathedralAttraction · 350 m from the route
  2. 2Museum KunstpalastMuseum KunstpalastMuseum · 105 m from the route
  3. 3Rhine TowerRhine TowerViewpoint · 1.2 km from the route
  4. 4Kasteel VaalsbroekKasteel VaalsbroekCastle · 6.2 km from the route
  5. 5Huis BloemendalHuis BloemendalCastle · 4.9 km from the route
  6. 6Chocolate MuseumChocolate MuseumMuseum · 460 m from the route
  7. 7Museum LudwigMuseum LudwigMuseum · 217 m from the route
  8. 8Kasteel LemiersKasteel LemiersCastle · 6.3 km from the route
  9. 9St.-Paulus-DomSt.-Paulus-DomAttraction · 480 m from the route
  10. 10Beethoven HouseBeethoven HouseMuseum · 434 m from the route
  11. 11Palais SchaumburgPalais SchaumburgAttraction · 301 m from the route
  12. 12Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation CorboudWallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation CorboudMuseum · 346 m from the route
  13. 13Schloß DrachenburgSchloß DrachenburgAttraction · 982 m from the route
  14. 14Schloss NordkirchenSchloss NordkirchenCastle · 1.6 km from the route
  15. 15Vischering CastleVischering CastleAttraction · 2 km from the route
  16. 16Neanderthal-MuseumNeanderthal-MuseumMuseum · 9.8 km from the route
  17. 17Romano-Germanic MuseumRomano-Germanic MuseumMuseum · 296 m from the route
  18. 18Aachen Town HallAachen Town HallAttraction · 114 m from the route
  19. 19Discovery MuseumDiscovery MuseumMuseum · 9.7 km from the route
  20. 20Xanten CathedralXanten CathedralAttraction · 9.7 km from the route
  21. 21Quirinus-MünsterQuirinus-MünsterAttraction · 6.1 km from the route
  22. 22Hoeve OverhuizenHoeve OverhuizenCastle · 6.6 km from the route
  23. 23Kasteel De BongardKasteel De BongardCastle · 7.6 km from the route
  24. 24Kasteel NijswillerKasteel NijswillerCastle · 9.3 km from the route
  25. 25Geologisch monument ZandsteenblokkenGeologisch monument ZandsteenblokkenMemorial · 8.9 km from the route

Explore more

More cycle routes around Aachen

More nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long is Pilgerroute NRW?

Pilgerroute NRW is 492.7 km long. Allow ± 32:50 h of riding: 15 km an hour, without breaks.

Is this route a circular ride?

No, the route runs from Aachen to Bad Iburg.

Where does this route start?

The route starts in Aachen.

How hard is this route?

Hard, with 1,614 m of climbing.

Are there toilets along this route?

Yes, there are 69 public toilets within 100 m of the route. The longest stretch without a toilet is 57.5 km.

Can you fill up with water along this route?

Yes, there are 23 water fountains and refill points within 100 m of the route.

What is there to see along this route?

Along the way you pass Centre Charlemagne, Domschatzkammer and Grashaus.

Can I download this route as a GPX file?

Yes. Sign in with your Outdoor Pitstop account and choose Download GPX at the top of this page: 10 routes a month for free, unlimited with Pro.

Starting point

More routes from this place

Aachen

Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors

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