Water Castles Route 6b: Stolberg–Düren

Stage 6b of the Water Castles Route links Stolberg’s old town and hilltop castle with Düren on the Rur. It’s a relaxed, scenic ride through Rhineland fields, stream valleys, and parkland, with the route’s trademark moated manors popping up along the way.

Expect a mix of surfaces: plenty of asphalt and paved paths, plus stretches of gravel, farm tracks, and the odd cobbled section. The profile rolls with a few short climbs and easy descents—nothing crazy, but you’ll get a little workout. Most of it runs on quiet roads and tracks; there are a few brief busy bits in towns.

Best on a touring or gravel bike; 32 mm+ tires keep it comfy. After rain, the unpaved parts can be soft. Waymarking is solid—just follow the Wasserburgen-Route signs.

Start with a coffee under Stolberg Castle and finish in Düren by the Rur, where trains make getting back simple. A nice slice of the broader Water Castles Route across the Rhineland, with just the right mix of history, greenery, and easy pedaling.