Wasserburgen-Route Stage 2b: Bedburg–Brühl

Roll from Bedburg to Brühl on the Wasserburgen-Route, a chill, mostly flat stage linking classic Rhineland water castles. Start by Bedburg’s moated castle and the old quarter of Alt-Kaster, cruise along the Erft’s meadows and farm lanes, then slip into the Ville’s forests and lakes before arriving in Brühl, home to the UNESCO palaces Augustusburg and Falkenlust.

Terrain and feel: lots of car-free tracks and paths, plus some cycleways and quiet roads. Surfaces are mixed—good stretches of asphalt, plenty of gravel/hard-pack, and the odd paving stone or cobble. Bring 32–40 mm tires and you’re golden; skinny road slicks might chatter on the rougher bits.

It’s easy-going on the legs with only around 100 m of up and down overall. The route is signposted as the Wasserburgen-Route, but a GPS track helps in the woods.

Quick tips: cafés and bakeries pop up regularly in small towns, and both Bedburg and Brühl have solid train connections—perfect for a flexible day ride. If you’ve got time, wander the Ville lakes or the palace gardens at the finish.