Car-free Meuse Cycle Route: Your holiday away from traffic

France

The French section of EuroVelo 19 – Meuse Cycle Route hides a few car-free stretches. The first two short car-free sections are located in the Vosges and Meuse departments, and both are cyclable in one day!

Daily Stretch of Neufchâteau – Coussey

For example, a newly opened greenway between Neufchâteau and Coussey is a 5 km long project promoting non-motorised transportation. Built on an old trailway track, this car-free stretch combines sport and culture, marked by seven artwork installations along the way.

Daily Stretch of Saint-Mihiel – Verdun

The second one-day car-free stretch lies in the Meuse region. However, not all of it is completely free from traffic, as it blends car-free stretches with sections where you will need to share roads with vehicles. The starting point is the town of Saint-Mihiel, from where you follow mixed traffic roads until you reach the village of Tilly-sur-Meuse. From there until Dugny-sur-Meuse, you can enjoy approximately 13 km of completely car-free roads.

Dugny-sur-Meuse lies on the way to Verdun, which, unfortunately, is not free from cars anymore, although that said, the entrance to the city is now possible on a newly constructed greenway! Nevertheless, the busier roads should not put you off from visiting a place where one of the most significant battles of the First World War took place. For 10 months, the French and Germans fought for the city of Verdun, and the battle later entered French history as the ‘Battle of France’. A museum dedicated to its history lies 10 minutes from Vedrun’s town centre, and we recommend giving it a look after finishing this almost-car-free stretch of EuroVelo 19.

Further in the north of the country, EuroVelo 19 hides a unique stretch. The Trans-Ardennes Greenway is a completely car-free section of approximately 130 km, set in the beauty of the Ardennes.

You can spread it across multiple days, based on your preferences. Below, we outline our recommended itinerary, divided into three days, but you can always adjust the length of your daily sections to your needs.

Day 1: Mouzon – Sedan – Charleville-Mézières 41,8 km

Mouzon

Our car-free section starts in the small town of Mouzon, located in the most northeastern part of the Ardennes. This small, charming town, bearing the label “Petite Cité de Caractère®” (Small Town of Character®), has a long tradition and history of feltwork and is the last French city with a museum dedicated to felt.

Its iconic Gothic Abbey church and its well-preserved gardens, together with Notre-Dame Basilica, are definitely a must-see before you set off on your journey through the Ardennes.

Sedan

As you follow the Trans-Ardennes route, after 15,2 km, take your first break and visit the largest fortified castle in Europe, located in the city of Sedan. Through a self-guided tour, explore its historical importance at your own pace. Multiple events are happening over the course of the year, but the most iconic is set in May – the Sedan Medieval festival. The festival transforms the Château Fort de Sedan courtyard into the Middle Ages, filled with queens and kings, knights and jugglers, street performances, concerts and all sorts of lively medieval activities.

Charleville-Mézières

The final stop for the day is Charleville-Mézières, after 26,6 km from Sedan. Originally, two individual towns, Charleville and Mézières, separated by the river Meuse, merged into one city in October 1966. Today, known as Charleville-Mézières, has been labelled as the City of Art and History since 2013.

If you wish to truly immerse yourself in the stunning scenery surrounding the city, we recommend taking the Mont-Olympe loop, which will safely bring you into the heart of Charleville-Mézières. Hop off your bike and grab a well-deserved drink in one of the many cafés at 17th-century Place Ducale in the historical heart of this city.

On the other side of the city, across the river, the Basilique Notre Dame d’Espérance stand still, and is well worth a visit too, before closing your first day on EuroVelo 19 in France.

Day 2: Charleville-Mézières – Monthermé 23,5 km

Start your second day of the trip in Charleville-Mézières by heading to the Pearl of the Ardennes, the charming city of Monthermé, nestled in the heart of the Meuse Valley.

Overlooking the Meuse Valley is Four Sons of Aymon – four rocks emerging from the Ardennes forest. According to an old French chanson legend, these four rocks are the sons of Duke Aymon. After a brief rebellion, the four brothers fled from Duke Charlemagne on the magical horse Bayard. The horse was so strong that it could carry all of them at once. After a long journey, the brothers found their safe place in the Ardennes. The legend has it that these four rocks overlooking the Meuse Valley are brothers frozen for eternity. You can learn the whole legend on a pleasant walk to the Plateau of the Four Sons of Aymon.

We recommend ending your day here because Monthermé hides two breathtaking hikes which you should not miss on your trip – La Roche à Sept-heures and La Boucle des Sept-Roches.

Day 3: Monthermé – Haybes – Givet 67 km

Your last day on the car-free stretch in the French part of EuroVelo 19 will be the longest one – but no worries! We have prepared your legs for this over the previous days.

Leaving from magical Monthermé, after 34 kilometres of fully car-free roads and surrounded by the nature of Ardennes, you will reach Haybes. A city which was erased by the German army in 1914 and rebuilt in 1920 with the help of the English town of Stockport. For a short break, wander around town hall square or have a beer in a local brewery Clos Belle-Rose, before setting off for your final stretch of car-free route.

After the last 33 kilometres, you reach Givet, welcoming you with a historic fortress reaching over the city – Charlemont.

Charlemont was built to protect the Spanish Netherlands from French attacks, until it became part of French territory after the annexation of the Givet in 1678 by the French. It fell during both World Wars and was used as a military training centre for the second half of the 20th and a little bit of the 21st century. But enough of the history for now. Go check it out yourself while following our recommended itinerary of cycling stretches on EuroVelo 19 completely away from traffic.

Givet ends the French chapter of EuroVelo 19, and behind the borders, Belgium continues your cycling journey along EuroVelo 19 – Meuse Cycle Route.

Belgium

And we promise that it does not get any worse in Belgium. EuroVelo 19 here offers some remarkable car-free stretches. In Wallonia, RAVeL network of safe greenways covers more than 2,100 km of care-free cycling routes and connects to ten regional and four international (including EuroVelo 19) cycling routes. In Flanders, EuroVelo 19 forms part of the celebrated Limburg Cycle node network, known for its excellent infrastructure and seamless connections. Therefore, in the Limburg region, you will find the finest car-free stretches along EuroVelo 19 both in Belgium and the Netherlands.

These Limbourg routes are especially a great fit for those who are looking for quiet and safe riding conditions. Large sections along the river Meuse are completely separated from the traffic while following former towpaths and flood-control dikes along the river. Not having to keep an eye on cars allows you to fully connect with the landscape, the river, and the surrounding nature reserves with their exceptional biodiversity and unique floodplain landscapes.

Our first recommended almost entirely car-free stretch lies in the Belgian region of Wallonia.

Car-free stretch No.1: Huy – Flémalle/Liège

Starting in the ancient, fortified city of Huy, explore its remarkable architectural heritage before heading off. These include the main square Grand-Place, the town hall, the Place Verte, Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, or Huy forth dedicated to the Second World War heritage.

As you leave Huy and make your way to Flémalle, you pass by the 7th-century Amay collegiate church perched on the east bank of the river Meuse. The fully car-free stretch ends here in Flémalle. Although you can continue on the signposted EuroVelo 19 route to nearby Liége, keep in mind that this section is not far from traffic anymore, and expect some busy roads along the way. Either way, you can exchange the bike for a direct train from Flémalle to Léige for this traffic-heavier segment.

You will then reach a city of prince-bishops, known also as Cité Ardente – Léige. Here you can discover its industrial, architectural and cultural heritage through the prestigious Val Saint Lambert site, museums, a high presence of folklore, and the warmth of local people. And do not forget to try local breweries!

Car-free stretch No. 2: Maasmechelen – Maaseik

Another traffic-free section stretches through the Belgian region of Flanders. This is arguably one of the most spectacular natural stretches of the entire Meuse Cycle Route. The route goes directly through the Rivierpark Maasvallei, a cross-border nature park that has become a European example of regenerative river restoration and biodiversity recovery. On top of that, it runs almost entirely free from motorised traffic along floodplains, gravel banks, and restored river meanders. Cyclists share the landscape with Konik horses, Galloway cattle, beavers, and countless bird species. Observation towers and riverside rest areas make it easy to slow down and absorb the scenery.

To explore the region further, you can visit the nearby towns of Maasmechelen, Dilsen-Stokkem and the city of Maaseik, which are accessible by bus connections from Genk station. But you can also pedal in from Maastricht station in the Netherlands.

Because the River Meuse in Limburg flows along both sides of the border – Belgium as well as the Netherlands – one of the highlights of these routes is the use of small bicycle ferries that cross between the two countries. This adds a playful and scenic dimension to your ride. It is possible to combine these sections also with easy train connections from cities such as Liège, Maastricht, Genk and Roermond.

Netherlands

Only a few kilometres across the border lies another car-free stretch. And we have even two options for you! If you are cycling our last recommended Belgian stretch from south to north and finish in Maaseik – cycle Echt Loop. If you are cycling the other way around and finish your Belgian trip in Maasmechelen – scroll down to our second option and choose the Stein Loop.

The only downside of the following car-free stretches in the Netherlands is that some of them do not follow EuroVelo 19 in certain sections and instead follow regional routes. But don’t worry! If you follow our guidance, in the end, you will find yourself once again on the EuroVelo 19 track and can continue cycling the Meuse Cycle route further.

We suggest five car-free loops around the Meuse Cycle Route, all cyclable in one day and nestled in nature. Here they are!

Car-free Loop No. 1: Echt Loop – 36,1 km

If you ever thought that cycling through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany is only for die‑hard cyclists who conquer the steep Vaalserberg, then we gotta prove you wrong! Our first extra loop on EuroVelo 19 in the Netherlands takes you across the narrowest part of the country.

Starting close to Roosteren village, this car-free loop offers an enjoyable flat ride past monuments, monasteries and picturesque villages. Along the way, soak up the views of the beautiful Maas Lakes. Some parts of this loop follow EuroVelo signs, but to enjoy a truly car-free cycling experience, we recommend following local junctions.

To cycle this loop, start from the Roosteren village, and follow the regional signage of the routes, which are ‘named’ as numbers. To plan your route, visit the junction planner, which allows you to create your itinerary based on junctions. Firstly, choose your starting point – in this case, Roosteren – and then select the number of specific cycling paths that you want to follow: 13 – 3 – 1 – 39 – 4 – 6 – 44 – 11 – 13.

Download the GPX track of this route here.

If you are travelling by train, begin your journey from the city of Echt, and start your route at junction 4 and then follow the above-mentioned plan, but from junction 3: 3 – 1 – 39 – 4 – 6 – 44 – 11 – 13 – 4.

Download the GPX track for this version of the route here.

Car-free Loop No. 2: Stein Loop – 30,3 km

In the southwest border of the Netherlands, EuroVelo 19 runs for a bit on both sides of the river, acting as a natural border between these two countries. And this loop also follows both sides, while giving you the chance to see even more of the stunning RivierPark Maasvallei nature area.

Your ride begins in the fairytale‑like surroundings of the ruins of Stein Castle. Further, you will cycle along the winding banks of the Maas, the perfectly straight Julianakanaal and historic towns such as Elsloo and Grevenbicht. In Elsoo, as you cross to the other side of the Meuse, you will find yourself in Belgium for a short while. The loop will then lead you back to the Netherlands, via Greenbicht, all the way back to Stein.

Travelling by train? Take the train to Beek‑Elsloo station and start your route at junction 45.

To cycle this loop, follow the junctions: 81 – 41 – 43 – 45 – 80 – 83 – 27 – 50 – 49 – 19 – 27 – 83 – 82 – 81.

Download the GPX track of this route here.

Car-free Loop No. 3: Steyl Loop – 28 km

For the other three remaining traffic-free stretches, we will move further to the north of the country.

The section opens in Steyl, the monastery village on the Meuse, with a remarkable enclave of Catholic heritage, including a mission museum, a historic printing house, a botanical garden and several monasteries.

Along the way, you will pass many charming Meuse villages, such as the castle village of Baarlo, Kessel, embraced by the rolling nature reserves like the Leudal, the Heldense Forests and De Groote Peel National Park. On this look, a calm chorus of nature replaces the busy hum of traffic. This stretch concludes in the dragon village of Beesel.

For this section, you can either follow official EuroVelo 19 signage on the west riverbank until Kessel, or regional junctions, which will lead you on the east side of the Meuse. In that case, follow: 5 – 69 – 72 – 70 – 99 – 2 – 10 – 6 – 9 – 3 – 53 – 54 – 58 – 4 – 5.

Download the GPX track of this route here.

For train travellers, arrive at Tegelen station, only less than two kilometres from Steyl. Again, you can either follow EuroVelo 19 signs or local junctions: 05 – 69.

Download the GPX track for this version of the route here.

Car-free Loop No. 4: Arcen Loop – 32 km

This loop takes you along both sides of the Meuse. You start in Arcen, after a while, leave the EuroVelo route while following the regional ones until you soon reach Well. The historical centre of this village has been a popular attraction for years, so it is really worth taking a break here. And when in Well, keep an eye on the beautiful, moated Castle Well!

After leaving Well, the rest of the route does not follow EuroVelo 19, but local cycling routes. The Dutch greenways take you through Maasduinen National Park, De Hamert Estate and the famous Castle Gardens of Arcen. In the rose village of Lottum, you cross the river Meuse and hop on EuroVelo 19 again, which will lead you back to Arcen.

To cycle this loop, follow junctions: 25 – 26 – 56 – 57 – 09 – 53 – 52 – 11– 58 – 14 – 59 – 18 – 12 – 71 – 15 – 27 – 62 – 74 – 55 – 70 – 25.

Download the GPX track of this route here.

Car-free Loop No. 5: Gennep Loop – 33,7 km

Our last car-free section on EuroVelo 19 is the northernmost on our list. In the historic heart of the ceramics town of Gennep, you temporarily leave EuroVelo 19 for a beautiful ride along the riverbanks of the Meuse. This route takes you through picturesque villages, an ancient heathland area and a medieval hunting forest that is home to roe deers, red deers and wild boars.

For the Gennep loop follow junction: 25 – 39 – 38 – 27 – 24 – 37 – 23 – 21 – 35 – 22 – 36 – 40 – 26 – 52 – 93 – 30 – 47 – 88 – 87 – 46 – 29 – 51 – 25

Download the GPX track of this route here.

In case you would like to travel by train, take the train to Boxmeer station and start this loop at node 46. Just keep in mind that this variant is 19,1 kilometres longer than the original one. From Boxmeer follow: 17 – 4 – 38 – 34 – 46 –29 – 51 and then hop on 25 – 39… etc. as outlined above, and then from junction 46 back to 34 – 38 – 04 – 17 to get back to your train in Boxmeer.

Download the GPX track for this version of the route here.

With summer slowly approaching and the rising fuel prices, we heard that the best (and at the same time, more affordable and sustainable) holidays are happening this year on EuroVelo 19 – Meuse Cycle Route. And they get even better with the variety of car-free stretches lying along the route. Just follow our specially tailored lineup!

Article by Barbora Labudová