Railway cycle paths - Bahntrassenradwege

Volcano cycle path above Gedern

This travel guide deals with the most interesting touristic bike routes that lead over railway lines of disused railway lines.

background

A special feature are cycle paths that were laid out on the routes of former railway lines. Most of these routes were laid out in the 19th century with a very favorable elevation profile, as the steam locomotives lacked the necessary strength to cope with steep gradients. Dams, viaducts, deep cuts and tunnels were built to level the mountain and valley. Cyclists now benefit from this, as the routes can be used for flat and comfortable paths. These paths are known as railway cycle paths and have developed into cycling tourist destinations in recent years. This is not only due to the mostly high technical quality of such trails, but also to their independent routing and reservation for hikers and cyclists. Some routes offer railway romance with restored train stations, viaducts, tunnels and other relics. The routes are largely suitable for families. The trails are also recommended for inline skiers and wheelchair users.

In the USA there is the organization Rails to trailswhose motivation is very much the preservation of the old railway lines. The cycle routes are then called "Greenways". In Spanish they say "Vias Verdes". The term greenways, however, includes all paths that run "in the countryside", i.e. not on or next to motorways.

On this page only those routes are to be listed that are classified as tourist destination worth it. They usually have a name, appropriate signs and a length of at least 15 km. Railway routes that largely serve everyday traffic or are part of large routes (e.g. Weser cycle path near Petershagen) are only mentioned here as an exception. Cycle routes that Next disused railway lines should not be referred to as railway cycle paths. Railway cycle paths or Track bike routes run in North Rhine-Westphalia, but not in Hesse, next to active railway lines, which allows boarding a train almost at any time. Such routes then usually do not run on disused railway lines.

Since many routes are still quite new or have been expanded, the information in the travel literature is often incomplete.

Paths in Germany

Baden-Wuerttemberg

Bavaria

The Bavaria-Bohemia Bridge Cycle Path just before Selm.

In Bavaria, a narrow-gauge locomotive was also referred to as a "Bockerl", hence the Bockerlbahn cycle path for railroad cycle path.[1]

  • Adalbert Stifter cycle path - 25 km without great effort, at least on the former railway line between Waldkirchen and Haidmühle through the Bavarian forest (not paved).
  • Bocklweg - 51 km of railway line from Neustadt a. d. Waldnaab to Eslarn in the Bohemian Forest
Steel bridges lead the Bockerlbahn cycle path over the Isar
  • Bridge cycle path Bavaria-Bohemia - 37 km between places Tröstau in the district of Wunsiedel in Fichtel Mountains and the city Same. The route goes up on roads and forest roads Aš in the Czech Republic.
  • Steam locomotive circuit - 77 km long round tour in Ostallgäu, which runs approximately half on the routes of two former railway lines. Of Kaufbeuren In the direction of Schongau, the prepared bed of the Sachsenrieder Bähnle is now used by cyclists. Of Marktoberdorf to Lechbruck there are further asphalted 22 km railway cycle paths. The rest of the route consists of connections of varying quality, but mostly country roads.
  • Danube-Ilz cycle path - 55 km long route from Niederalteich on the Danube through the Sonnenwald and the Dreiburgenland in the Ilztal Kalteneck. Behind the place Hengersdorf 41 km continuously on the old railway line. From Tittling the surface is only water-bound, previously mostly fine asphalt. The hilly landscape offers a beautiful panorama. [2]. To the east, the Wag continues as the Adalbert-Stifter-Radweg (see above).
  • Danube-Regen cycle path - 39 km - railway line bike path from Miltach (Branch Regental-Radweg) to Bogen an der Donau.
  • Falkenstein cycle path - 40 km long path that goes in regensburg from Danube cycle path branches off and after Falkenstein leads. While the connection in Regensburg is close to the road, the route from Gonnersdorf becomes greener and more wooded. The pavement alternates between asphalt, fine chippings and gravel forest roads with sometimes significant vegetation (about a third each). A castle towers over Falkenstein as a destination.
  • Gaubahn cycle path - good, 27 km long connection from Main cycle path at Ochsenfurt to the "Liebliches Taubertal" cycle path near Röttingen. However, the sights are located in the Main Valley or on the Tauber, so you should include the Gaubahnweg in a larger tour. Larger rounds are possible over the Tauber, which flows back into the Main.
  • Schambachtalbahn cycle path - According to information boards on site 36 km, but actually 42 km long route between Ingolstadt at the Donau (Danube cycle path) and Riedenburg in the Altmühltal (Altmühltal cycle path). To Altmannstein the route is paved, then there is sand and gravel. The rather flat landscape, which was initially characterized by agriculture, is becoming increasingly varied and there is one or the other rock formation to be admired in the narrowing valley. The section from the Danube to Ingolstadt main station can be left out. It is all the more rewarding to take a look at the Altmühltal at the other end.
  • Rhönexpress cycle path - 27 km of steadily rising route on the former Sinntal Railway route between Altengronau in Hesse (222m above sea level), Bad Bruckenau and Wildflecken (516m above sea level) in Lower Franconia. The cycle path follows the road almost entirely. The route is lined with historical signal systems, which are dummies. The Wildflecken train station offers a few well-restored "real" signals.
  • The Rotmain cycle path runs between Bayreuth and Kulmbach on the route of the Thurnauer Bockerl. The route quality (steep and unpaved) leaves a lot to be desired, however.

Brandenburg

Hesse

The Reiherbachtal viaduct is now a cycle path (Ederseebahn)
  • Ederseebahn cycle path - 26 km long paved bike path from Korbach to Edertal-Buhlen northeast of the Edersee.
  • Linspher bike path - see NRW.
  • Rotkäppchenland railway cycle path - attractive 36 km tour from the Schwalm to Upper auditorium in the Crunch in premium quality.
  • Kegelspielradweg - regional counterpart to the Milseburgradweg (but without a tunnel). The railway cycle path leads in a beautiful landscape through the "Hessian bowling game" (the Kuppenrhön).
  • Milseburgradweg - the most famous regional route in East Hesse due to the bicycle tunnel and the very beautiful low mountain range on the Milseburg.
  • Ulstertal cycle path - there is also a river here. There is a connection to the Kegelspielradweg and the Milseburgradweg. Together with the Almendorf - Hünfeld section of the Haunetal cycle path the result is a nearly 90 km long, very attractive round through the Hessian Rhön (Route: Hünfeld - Wenigentaft - Hilders - Almendorf - Hünfeld).
  • Volcano cycle path - Germany's second longest route. Over 60 km on old routes alone, supplemented by a further 30 km of connecting routes.
  • Weiltalweg - The lower section between Weilmünster and the Lahn at Weilburg is a developed cycle path on the former Weilburg - Graefenwiesbach railway line.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Lower Saxony

  • East Frisia hiking trail - almost 70 km of hiking trails from Empty above Aurich to Bensersiel on the North Sea coast, but some of it can also be cycled. The quality of the route is subject to strong fluctuations, although you can choose the best sections based on the length of the route. The hiking path does not always follow the same route as the railway cycle path, which is not signposted independently.
  • Lamspringe sculpture path - Info

North Rhine-Westphalia

Section of the Sauerland cycle ring with a view of the mountains

In the western federal state, the term "avenue cycle path" is often used for the routes.

An old railway bridge over which the Pengel-Anton-Weg (here with Möhnetalradweg and Kaiserroute) leads.
  • Pengel-Anton cycle path - of Soest to the Möhnesee, then over along the Möhne Licking to Brilon. 54 km on one of the oldest (partly 1975?) Routes through fields and forest, later unfortunately about 10 km directly next to the B 516 and the B 480. The route from Soest is only signposted as R 43, from the lake as Möhnetal cycle path.
  • RadBahn Münsterland - of Rheine in the Münsterland after Lutum Coesfeld it is almost 40 km on fine asphalt. In Darfeld, also known by Darfeld Castle, the crosses European cycle route the distance. The landscape is flat and the route is almost straight. In Rheine [2017] a connection to Ochtrupper Railway line with a further 23 km.[3]
  • Sauerland bike ring - 124 km long eight with 50 km of railway line, which can be cycled almost in one piece. Unfortunately, the rest of the route largely runs alongside federal highways.

Rhineland-Palatinate

Not only the normal cycle routes, but also the railway cycle paths are of high structural quality.

The left tunnel for the Ahr cycle path
  • Ahr cycle path - Including alternative routes, a 79 km long river cycle path, which, however, uses approx. 40% railway lines In the Altenahr-Mayschoß area, the former second track of the Ahr Valley Railway is used. So you cycle next to the moving trains through the stations.
It starts in Ochtendung - next to the route
  • Enz cycle path - 43 km long paved road from Pronsfeld in the Prümtal to Holsthum again in the Prümtal. Of these, the first 23 km of the railway cycle path to Neuerburg with two tunnels of 117 m and 125 m in length. To get back to the same valley from the valley, you have to go over mountains and the route has some sustained inclines. The route is well suited to avoid the difficult sections of the Prümtal cycle path.
  • Eifel-Ardennes cycle path - 29 km (9km Vennbahn) in the Eifel from the old abbey town Prüm to Steinebrück on the German-Belgian border, then continued as line 46 and then Vennbahn (see below) to Saint-Vith in Belgium. At Lead alf The 400 m long, illuminated Bleialfer tunnel saves the strenuous detour over the 564 m high Himmesberg. The tunnel is also the topographical highlight of the mountain route. It remains to be mentioned that in the Prümtal you can cycle on the railway line to Waxweiler
Maare-Moselle cycle path with posts at Platten near the Moselle
  • Maare-Moselle cycle path - 55 km through the Eifel of Down to Bernkastel-Kues on the Moselle
  • Maifeld cycle path - 28 km from Bassenheim about Ochtendung Münstermaifeld in the region Maifeld, paved and up to a kilometer on a railway line. The path through an almost continuous deciduous forest dates largely from 1989 and is therefore only 2.5 m wide on the old sections. At the former train station Polch, which has now been developed as a large restaurant with a beer garden, is followed by a connection Mayen and ends there at the regional train station east. This junction offers two viaducts and two tunnels as well as a panorama. On the main route, some sculptures provide variety. The new section from Ochtendung to Bassenheim is 50 centimeters wider than the old sections and cost more than 300,000 euros per kilometer.
  • Ruwer-Hochwald-Radweg - 49 km with a slight but steady ascent from the Moselle to the high forest, 505 m up, 95 m down. Railway cycle path from Trier-Ruwer via Kell to Hermeskeil
  • Schinderhannes cycle path - 37 km long route on asphalt in Hunsrück, of Emmelshausen to Simmer. Train and bicycle buses connect the route.

Saarland

  • Bliestal cycle path - 23 km from Blieskastel Via Reinheim on the German border to Folpersviller in Lorraine on good asphalt with a width of 3 meters. The old train stations are still well preserved. There is a connection after Sarreguemines, whereby you should only follow the painted bike signs to the bus stop (there are no more others). Here you should turn right and then left at the Cora-Markt, follow the cycle path as shown in OpenStreetMap. The 16 km long German part also has the original name Leisure path.

Saxony

formerly the Normannstein stop near Treffurt on the Werra-Unstrut cycle path. This section is for those who are nostalgic about trains.
  • Vogtland cycle path - The ride from Falkenstein to Oelsnitz can be comfortably completed by cyclists. The path through the hilly is 23 km long and at least 2.5 m wide Vogtland, which also connects two dams. Signposted as the "Falkenstein - Oelsnitz cycle path", the cycle path ends near Oelsnitz on a busy state road with no cycle lane. The last 4 km are very hilly (10% inclines signposted), as the former railway line is hardly used and the bridges have been torn down. In Oelsnitz there is a connection to the via local roads Elster cycle path.

Saxony-Anhalt

Thuringia

  • Feldatal cycle path - 46 km long river cycle path along the not so long Felda. The paved railway line has just hit the 15km mark once, but the rest of the route is also on a high level.
  • Kanonenbahnradweg - The long-planned cycle path parallel to the draisine route between Lengenfeld unterm Stein and Dingelstädt finished in 2019. It runs on the route of the former 2nd track, which incidentally was dismantled after the 1st World War. The 22 km long and paved route leads through 5 tunnels. With the path there is a supra-regional link from Werra cycle path (Room Eschwege) in Frieda to the upper one Unstrut cycle path to Thuringia. With the 1530 m long Küllstedter Tunnel, the cycle route has the longest cycle tunnel in Germany. The second longest bicycle tunnel in Germany is the 1173 m long Milseburg tunnel in the Rhön. Four high viaducts allow a view into the depths. Thanks to the draisines, the tunnels are open all year round. In winter (1.11.-15.4.), However, the lighting is switched off. In the neighborhood, the "Pferdebachtalradweg" is another railway cycle path with which the Kanonenweg in Großtöpfer could unite.
  • Mommelstein cycle path - At 12 km, the section of the railway line is very short and quite steep (up to 5%). Should the route be expanded to the Rennsteig, it would be one of the most beautiful routes in Germany. At the moment it's more of a detour from Werra valley cycle path.
  • Unstrut-Werra cycle path - This connecting long-distance cycle path is laid out on many sections of former railway lines.

Paths in Belgium

Locomotive and cycle route Ligne 38 in the center of Aubel

The small country is trying to convert all disused railway lines into cycle paths. The cyclists ride accordingly on numbered (train) lines (lignes). The association founded in 1996 in Namur is responsible for maintaining the railway lines Chemins du Rail.[1]

  • RAVeL 5 Ligne 38 - 38 km this route leads from Liege above Herve to Hombourg (at Aachen). It is becoming more and more rural and the roads that were initially very good are getting worse. The signposting as a bridle path provides manure.
Kilometer stone on the RAVeL cycle path line 126. Railway cycle paths are often marked with a kilometer
  • Vennbahn - Of Aachen above Saint-Vith to Troisvierges. 125 km long parade route that connects Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. It is not only well developed, but also offers the landscape of the High Fens.
  • RAVeL Ligne 45 - is one of the branches of the Vennbahn, but can also go well on its own. 21 km of good asphalt connect Trois-Points and Waimes. The highlights of the route are the locations Stavelot and Malmedy as well as two tunnels that are open all year round. According to the new cycle path numbering, the route continues as number 8 to Losheim (D). This continuation is also paved and is also called line 45A. In Germany, another 18 km to Jünkerath follow as part of the Kylltal cycle path.
  • RAVeL Ligne 150 - connects the Meuse north of Dinant with the Sambre, which flows into the Meuse in Namur. The mountainous route is well developed with fine asphalt and offers beautiful scenery in the narrow valley of the Molignée with a few sights such as the Abbey of Maredret. 3 tunnels, one of which is 283 m long (Denée tunnel) must be passed through. Shortly before the end, when you cycle towards Sambre, there is still a swimming lake waiting for you. Total length at least 36 km. 8 km are accompanied by bicycle trolleys.
  • RAVeL Ligne 163 - although not far from the Vennbahn, there is no direct connection to it. The route offers 27 km of fine asphalt from Bastogne almost to Gouvy, where there is still an active railway line. Two more routes branch off to Houffalize (quite deep in the eastern Urt valley) and Wiltz (LUX), so that around 55 km of scenic route through the Ardennes await the cyclist. The almost 20 km long route Wiltz - Bastogne (piste cyclable de la Wiltz) impresses with 4 tunnels. Bastogne-Wiltz.pdf

Paths in Denmark

Bryrup banesties

Our neighbors in the north have banesties and this website is also in German: railtrails.dk. The total length of the developed paths is around 1250 km, which puts the small country in a leading position.[2]

  • Bryrup banesties - approx. 61 km of paved road from Horsens about Bryrup after Silkeborg in Jutland. The natural landscape is characterized by forests, meadows, fields and lakes. This section is also signposted as Route 31. If you are in the mood for more, you can take route 29 from Silkeborg to Langå continue. For a further 38 km, fields dominate the once more lonely landscape. With a length of almost 100 km there is one of the longest asphalt stretches in Europe. However, the width is only 1.50 m, supplemented by a strip of grass used by service vehicles. The cycle path between Bryrup and Vrads is interrupted for approx. 4 km, as a museum railway uses the tracks that are still available here. The (museum) train station Vrads offers a gastronomic offer.

Paths in France

In France, too, many cycle paths follow the traces of old railway lines. They are often called Voie Verte (for example: “Grüner Weg”) signposted, which means freedom of movement and the independent route.

Via Ardeche with white concrete south of Vogüé
  • Via Ardèche - More than 25 km from Saint-Sernin via Vogüé to Grospierres in the natural landscape of the Ardeche. Here is a detour along the Ardeche River direction Gorges de l'Ardèche possible. The main line, which also leads through 2 tunnels, is supposed to go up Alès to be continued. In Saint-Sernin a 9 km long, even somewhat signposted branch line branches off to Uzer. The ceiling usually consists of finely chipped, white in-situ concrete, which above all looks good, but is perhaps also very durable. I'm not involved Aubenas the railway line is largely just a beaten track. You won't find the name "Via Ardeche" on site.
  • Ax Vert de la Thiérache - 37 km of asphalt across the Thiérache, a landscape of hedges and meadows in the Picardythrough which the young Oise flows. You start in Hirson and land in the small town Guise. The route is section of the EuroVelo 3 and from Hirson there is a connection to the Sambre in Eye of the mouth. Part of this connection is also a railway cycle path ("Voie Verte de l'Avesnois"), which, however, does not have a good surface (muddy, not asphalted).
  • Veloroute du Calavon - About 40 km through the valley of the Calavon (river). Of w: Cavaillon to Les Gaudins over Apt in the Vaucluse the route is now paved throughout. Approx. 10 km are along the road to the D 900, the rest is more like a real Voie Verte through the Parque Naturel du Luberon (Luberon Regional Natural Park). The attraction is cycling over a Roman stone arch bridge from 3 BC. Chr., The Pont Julien. The bike route is to be expanded further and is part of EuroVelo 8.
  • Chemin Vert - Why always “Voie” ?! The town Vesoul in the Franche-Comté calls her cycle path "Chemin", also "Weg". The route leads through forests, then fields and is a total of 38 km long, with the last 14 km being somewhat spread out and partly not using the old railway line. The end of the last section is in Devecey. To the north-west of Vesoul there is another small railway track with a length of 8 km (“La Trace du Courlis”). The combined routes connect the Doubs valley with the Échappée Bleue, which, however, also arrives further west on the Doubs. The technical quality of the Chemin is a bit better and it is 12 km away Besançon.
Parcours du Littoral with original signs - "Tronçon" means "section"
  • Cyclable du Littoral course - more than 50 km (more than 90 km on OSM), only partially paved bike path with median of Toulon to Fréjus at the French Riviera. Unfortunately, the route often runs close to the street through a densely populated area (greater area Marseille). You only see the sea every now and then and the signs are very sparse. The course consists of many very different sections that are not always connected. Where it is most beautiful (e.g. in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer), the quality of the paths is worst. There are at least two tunnels.
Water dispenser on the Mâcon - Chalon railway cycle path
  • Voie Verte de Bourgogne du Sud (South Burgundy Cycle Route) - 74 km from Mâcon above Cluny to Chalon sur Saône. The use of the route is interrupted several times for a short distance between Cluny and Mâcon, as the TGV uses or crosses the old route in this area. Nevertheless, it is one of the longest continuous railway line bike paths that cyclists can enjoy Burgundy with its vineyards. The Bois Clair tunnel, which was also used to grow mushrooms after the railway was closed, is the longest bicycle tunnel in France with a length of 1.601 km. The quite cool tunnel (8 °) is the only French tunnel with a winter closure due to bats. This lock lasts from October 1st to April 14th and is therefore unusually long. The route is an alternative to the Voie Bleu (Saône cycle path), as the start and finish are on the Saône. The well-developed route officially ends at Charnay train station, which houses a tourist office. The path continues there in a "liaison" (connection) to the Macon-Ville train station. The route will be used for a further 2 km.
  • La Voie Verte des Hautes Vosges - About 54 km from Cornimont over Remiremont to Bussang near the source of the Moselle (recommended as the start of a Moselle tour). Runs completely on the old route and offers the landscape of the Hohe Vosges with 2 river valleys.
  • Via Verde de Gaves - Almost 20 km of well-paved route through a Pyrenees Valley with usually snow-capped peaks from the pilgrimage site Lourdes after Pierrefitte-Nestalas. There continuation on gravel and grit to Cauterets. This second section is 9 km long, up to 5% steep and is better to ride on an MTB. A 214 m long tunnel has to be passed through here. In April 2016 there was a closure and diversion on the busy highway. The block can be bypassed (not tested). There are at least 2 waterfalls. The first route is well signposted and informed by small information boards. Some have a lower section in Braille.
  • Voie Verte de Mios à Bazas - 76 km from Mios near Arcachon on the Atlantic coast Bazas on asphalt in Aquitaine. There is one more detour to Roaillanwhich runs on the same old route. The route suffers from a lack of highlights, in both senses of the word. There doesn't even seem to be any barriers. The landscape belongs to the nature park of Landes de Gascony.
  • Voie Verte Passa Pais - 74 km from Bédarieux (north of Beziers) to Mazamet through the high Languedoc. There is only asphalt in the eight tunnels, on the viaducts, which are also not uncommon, and on sections that do not use the railway line. The mostly fine grit is very well maintained and there is no lack of signs. A maximum incline of 15% causes a sweat to break out. Then there is a full closure that must be bypassed. In the west there is a connecting cycle path to Castres with further connection to Canal du Midi.
Good view of the village of Aillac from the viaduct (Perigord promenade)
  • Roger Lapébie cyclable slope - 46 km route from Bordeaux to Sauveterre de Guyenne with a tunnel. The rather green landscape is characterized less by vines (wine-growing area: Entre deux mers) than by meadows and forests. Some villages along the way are worth seeing. In spring 2015, the construction work to renew the asphalt surface will be completed.
  • Lac d'Annecy cyclable promenade - 36 km of paved Voie Verte from Annecy to Ugine, along the western lakefront promenade. Then possible continuation via the Veloroute V62 through the valley of the Arly to Albertville.
  • Périgord promenade - approx. 20 km of asphalt bike path from Sarlat according to Peyrillac im Périgord. At Aillac you have to turn left to enjoy the long alternative. If you cycle straight ahead, the route ends after crossing the Dordogne on an old viaduct in Groléjac. The main line also offers an approx. 200 m long tunnel and other bridges. There is a local signposting and there is a notice board in Sarlat. Despite heavy use, the route lacks connections.

Paths in Italy

Pista ciclabile east of Arma di Taggia

A completed railway cycle path in Italy always has a median. The density of tunnels on most of the trails is also quite impressive.

  • Ciclovia Valle Brembana - in the deep valley of the Brembo in the east Lombardy there is a 22 km long cycle path with 12 tunnels. In Zogno the start is right next to a large parking lot. You then have to go through 12 tunnels before arriving in Piazza Brembana. Unfortunately, the cycle path runs quite close to the road, so that it cannot be considered a "green path".
  • Long way of the Dolomites (ital. Lunga Via delle Dolomiti) - 62 km long. Starts in Calalzo di Cadore, leads over Cortina d'Ampezzo and ends in Dobbiaco. The path between Cimabanche and Toblach is not official and the quality of the path is very poor (partly creek bed). However, there is a shuttle bus.
Viaduct of the Pontebbana cycle path with subsequent tunnel
  • Pontebbana cycle path - The 48 km long parade route runs roughly parallel to the new railway line on the old route from Tarvisio via Pontebba to Moggio Udinese. In the alpine valley of Friuli Venezia Giulia flows the increasingly water-rich river called Fella. The cyclist passes around 18 tunnels out of 20 and numerous, in part impressive, viaducts. The two undeveloped tunnels have to be bypassed, the longest tunnel measures 950 m and is very sparsely illuminated with sensor-controlled LEDs. A flashlight can be useful, but good lighting is a must. Also in the valley and not so beautiful is the Autostrada Alpe-Adria. The route is well signposted as part of the Alpe-Adria cycle path. It looks like the route is down Carnia will continue, where there is also a train station that can be used for a return trip to Tarvisio. You can also use Kranjska Gora start and use the bike path on the route of the former Rudolfbahn. The numerous, sometimes very good, accommodations in the Slovenian winter sports resort are cheaper in summer than the competition in Italy.
former Stazione Necropoli - Pantalica
  • Pista ciclabile delle Valle d'Anapo - in Sicily of Cassaro to SP28 below Sortino can be cycled in the valley of the river Anapo on a 10 km long, probably gravel route in the area of ​​the natural park Valle d'Anapo / Pantalica, the prehistoric Necropolis of Pantalica However, they are not located on the former railway line, they have to be climbed on a hiking trail to the high plateau. The route continues to the west, although the quality of the path is unknown.

Paths in Luxembourg

Attert line at Eischen with incision
  • PC 2 Echternach - Luxembourg - offers 40 km of scenic route across the country and villages such as Eschweiler. The rail route share is only 50%. Highlights are a tunnel and a gorge (canyon), which can be driven through all year round. Downsides are several (permanent?) Roadworks that lead to detours, as well as a longer country road section in the middle part of the route.
  • Cyclable de l'Attert piste (PC12) - with a length of 53 km and asphalt quality, this path on the route of the Prinz Heinrich Railway in the south-west of the country is impressive. Los geht es in Boevange und endet in Linger nahe der französischen Grenze. Bei Hobscheid muss man durch einen 690 m langen Tunnel. Bei den zahlreichen Ortsdurchfahrten wird die Trasse meist nicht genutzt.

Wege in Österreich

Stillgelegte Bahnstrecken in engen Tälern werden rasch für Straßen oder Infrastruktur genutzt, da das Land in den Tälern knapp ist. Das Resultat ist ein geringes Angebot an Radwegen.

  • Hintergebirgsradweg - ca. 30 km auf den Spuren einer Waldbahn von Reichraming am Rande des Nationalparks Kalkalpen bis zum Biwakplatz Weißwasser. 14 Tunnel und über 30 Brücken in einer Schlucht mit Wasserfällen entschädigen für die teilweise mäßige Wegequalität und Steigungen. Die ehemalige Bahnstrecke ist nicht immer erkennbar. Die ersten Kilometer bis Anzenbach sind asphaltierte Straße. Danach kommt eine zuerst recht breite Schotterstraße, die aber nach dem Waldlokal "Große Klause" schmaler wird. Ein Teil der Strecke wird auch von Kfz. used. Mountainbiker können auf immer steileren Wegen weiter über den Hirschkogelsattel radeln und im Rahmen der ausgeschilderten Rundtour nach Anzenbach zurück kehren, wobei ein weiterer, ca. 9 km langer Abschnitt der Waldbahn genutzt wird. Angesichts des anspruchsvollen Höhenprofils ist gute Kondition oder ein Elektromotor erforderlich. Die Rundtour ist ca. 50 km lang.[4]
  • Steyrtal-Radweg - knapp 20 km von Grünburg to Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn durch das Tal der Steyr. Durchgehend asphaltiert und als R8 ausgeschildert. Die südliche Hälfte ist straßenbegleitend zur Bundesstraße 138. Die Gesamtlänge der Route ist 39 km.

Wege in Portugal

Ecopista Dão: Bodenwellen für schnelle Radler

Im westlichsten Land Europas gibt es einige Ecopistas ("Umweltwege"), die sowohl lang als auch asphaltiert sind. Das portugiesische Wort Rama means Ast and Ramal dann soviel wie Stichbahn.

  • Ecopista Ramal do Dão - 49 km Premium-Radweg von Viseu nach Santa Comba Dão. Die Strecke ist durchgehend asphaltiert, wobei der Asphalt erst meistens ziegelrot, dann grün und zuletzt blau ist. Alles ist sehr gepflegt, gleich mehrere Bahnhöfe bieten eine Gastronomie. 2 Tunnel erwarten den Radler. Die Region Dao nordöstlich von Coimbra ist nach dem gleichnamigen Fluss Rio Dão benannt und für ihre Weine bekannt. Die Landschaft bietet eine reichhaltige Flora mit verschiedensten Baumarten, ist aber auch dicht besiedelt. Der Fluss begleitet den blauen Abschnitt. (Link Ecopista Dao)
Verlassener Bahnhof Codecoso an der Ecopista Tamega, gerne fotografiert
  • Ecopista Linha do Corgo (nicht fertig) - ca. 61 km von Peso da Regua in the Douro-Tal above Vila Real nach Pedras Salgadas. Nur die nördlichen 22 km sind asphaltiert, ansonsten ist die Strecke sandig oder gar nicht ausgebaut (Mountainbiker haben hier mehr). Sollte die Strecke ein Mal fertig werden, hätte man eine schönen Weg, um den Alto Douro zu erkunden. Statt einfacher Barrieren gibt es unbewegliche Mauern, die man kaum übersehen kann. Die Wikipedia hat einen Artikel zur Strecke: Linha do Corgo
  • Ecopista do Tâmega - ca. 40 km von Amarante über Celorico de Basto nach Arco do Baulhe. Die Strecke ist anfangs sehr breit ausgebaut und hat sogar Beleuchtung. Nach ca. 10 km kommt ein Abschnitt mit wassergebunder Decke von 5 km Länge, danach wieder Feinasphalt. Vor Gatão gibt es einen Tunnel. Der Rio Tâmega, in dessen grünem Tal die Strecke verläuft, ist ein Nebenfluss des Douro und gibt auch dem Gebiet seinen Namen. Es gibt ein paar Weinberge, ansonsten viel Natur. Der ehemalige Bahnhof von Celorico de Basto, einer von vielen kleinen Bahnhöfen, ist als Jugendherberge neu ausgebaut. Zahlreiche Barrieren trüben den Genuss.

Wege in Slowenien

Das Land ist klein und hat nur wenige Radwege. An der Küste gibt es die Parenzana, von der 32 km in Slowenien verlaufen. Wegen des unregelmäßigen Ausbaus ist sie hier nicht extra aufgeführt.

  • Rudolfbahnradweg - schöne, 38 km lange Strecke durch die meist waldige Landschaft der Oberkrain von Tarvis (Pontebbana-Radweg) über Kronau to Jesenice. Knapp 10 km verlaufen in Italien, in Slowenien gehört die Strecke zur Route D-2.

Wege in Spanien

"den Fluss nur kreuzen, wenn dieser das erlaubt" (Via Verde del Aceite), Olivenhain rechts

Für einen Wochenendausflug etwas weit, aber wer einen Urlaub im Frühjahr auf der iberischen Halbinsel plant, sollte vielleicht das Rad einpacken. Viele Wege verlaufen durch trockene Gebirgslandschaften und sind nicht so grün, wie man es von einem grünen Weg (Via Verde) erwarten würde. Bei Ausschilderung, Verkehrsfreiheit und Wegequalität müssen Abstriche gemacht werden. Neue Wege werden gebaut und die alten verfallen.

  • Vía Verde del Aceite - der 120 km lange Weg des Öls führt von Jaen to Puente Genil durch die Olivenhaine des größten Anbaugebietes der Welt. Er ist überwiegend asphaltiert (in leider sehr geringer und wechselnder Qualität) und bietet sehr viele imposante Metallbrücken, die mehrheitlich historische Meisterwerke der Ingenieurkunst darstellen. Ergänzt werden die alten durch neue, kaum einfachere Brücken. Der noch recht neue Autovia Jaen - Cordoba wird auch mehrfach überbrückt. Die Strecke bietet 3 Tunnel, der östlichste in Torredelcampo hat eine Länge von 340 m. Der westliche Abschnitt heißt auch Via Verde de la Subbética.
Deutsche Lokomotive in Puente Viesgo
  • Via Verde del Noroeste - 79 km in der Region Murcia von Murcia über Mula nach Caravaca de la Cruz(Bahnhof) mit vielen schönen Steinbrücken. Die Wegequalität ist wechselnd, hin und wieder gibt es Asphalt. 6 Tunnel und viele baugleiche Bahnhöfe säumen die Strecke, deren anfangs sehr aride Landschaft ("Paisaje Lunar" = Mondlandschaft), von Osten kommend, allmählich fruchtbarer wird.
Karge Landschaft mit Steinbrücke (Via Verde del Noroeste)
  • Via Verde de Ojos Negros - der Weg zu den Minen von Ojos Negros bei Teruel ist der längste durchgehende Bahntrassenradweg in Europa (ca. 160 km). Los geht es vor den Toren von Sagunt (nördlich Valencia an der Küste) und dann durch die Sierra. Der Höhenunterschied beträgt 1000 m und oft fegt ein eisiger Wind durch die karge Landschaft. Der weitgehend asphaltierte Radweg leidet unter gelegentlichen, erosionsbedingten Verschüttungen. Die gut erhaltenen Bahnhöfe gehören zu einer aktiven, parallelen Bahnlinie.
  • Via Verde del Pas - 34 km von Ontaneda nach El Astillero at Santander in Kantabrien auf der Trasse einer ehemaligen Bäderbahn. Dieser Weg führt tatsächlich durch eine grüne Hügellandschaft und ist weitgehend asphaltiert (in Spanien eine Ausnahme). Es gibt ein paar Lücken (u.a. durch Überbauung des Radweges mit einer Nationalstraße), wo man den Anschluss mangels Ausschilderung selbst finden muss. Die Kurorte Puente Viesgo und Ontaneda oder die Ria de Solia (ein sumpfiger Graben mit viel Schlamm und Vegetation) sind sehenswert. Im Bereich El Astillero kreuzt ein weiterer "inoffizieller" Bahntrassenradweg auf der Trasse einer ehemaligen Erzbahn der Compania Ontaneda, so dass man bei Hin- und Rückfahrt unterschiedliche Varianten radeln kann. Die Alternativstrecke leidet unter einem archeologischen Schutzgebiet, wo die Strecke für ca. 1km recht steinig ist.
Tunnel auf Tunnel beim Via Verde de la Sierra in Andalusien
  • Via Verde de la Sierra - diese 36 km lange Strecke in Andalusienthat of Puerto Serrano to Olvera führt, hält mit 30 den Rekord an Tunneln. Kaum wird es hell, muss man schon wieder das Licht einschalten. Wassereinbrüche in den Tunneln. Erdrutsche nach Regengüssen sowie eine teilweise schlechte Oberfläche bilden das Abenteuerrisiko der Gebirgstour. Ein Teil dieser Route wurde aus Sicherheitsgründen inzwischen gesperrt.
V.V. de la Terra Alta mit Rastplatz und Geländer
  • Vía Verde del Val de Zafán - verläuft mit einer Länge von etwa 80 km auf der Trasse einer ehemaligen Bahnlinie von La Puebla de Híjar in the Bajo Aragon zum ehemaligen Bahnhof Arnes-Lledó (Landesgrenze). Höhepunkt der Strecke ist der 2,14 km lange Túnel de Valdealgorfa. Er ist der längste Radfahrer-Tunnel in Europa und trotzdem absolut gradlinig, so dass man immer das Licht am Ende sieht. Der Weg wird in Katalonien fortgesetzt durch zwei weitere Radwege (eigentlich immer derselbe) nach Tortosa. Ersterer ist der Via Verde de la Terra Alta (24 km durch die Terra Alta bis El Pinell de Brai), letzterer der 27 km lange Camino Natural del Baix Ebre im unteren Ebrotal. Insgesamt ergibt sich eine ca. 130 km lange Tour durch eine abwechslungsreiche und teilweise sehr schöne Landschaft mit einem Höhenunterschied von knapp 600 m. Zwischen Xerta und Bot reiht sich ein Tunnel an den anderen und mehrere Bahnhöfe sind als Gaststätten ausgebaut. Der Bahnhof von Benifallet bietet eine (recht teure) Unterkunft, der Bahnhof von Cretas ist zur Jugendherberge ausgebaut worden, der Bahnhof von Xerta beherbergt einen Fahrradverleih. Die Strecke ist ab dem Valdealgorfa-Tunnel durchgehend asphaltiert, die insgesamt 45(?) folgenden Tunnel sind oft unbeleuchtet. Zwischen Puigmoreno und Valdealgorfa ist die Strecke derzeit nicht verkehrsfrei oder in schlechtem Zustand. Start- und Endbahnhof verfügen über aktiven Zugverkehr und können von Bahnreisenden genutzt werden.

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Leitplanken schützen Radfahrer vor dem Sturz in die "Tiefe" (gesehen westlich Bad Frankenhausen auf dem Unstrut-Werra-Radweg

An Kreuzungen mit anderen Verkehrswegen werden sehr oft Barrieren oder Pfosten (siehe Foto) angebracht, so dass die Aufmerksamkeit nicht nachlassen sollte. Es gab an solchen Stellen schon zahlreiche Unfälle.

Im Allgemeinen wird auf Bahntrassenradwegen wesentlich mehr Sicherheitsaufwand betrieben als auf Schotterpisten und Naturpfaden. In gar nicht so engen Kurven werden Leitplanken angebracht (siehe Foto).

Sonstige Bahntrassenwege

Wer stillgelegte Bahnstrecken ohne Fahrrad "erfahren" möchte, kann das auch mit einer Draisine. Diese Vorläufer der Velos können zunehmend durch entsprechende Angebote genutzt werden. Eine Liste von Strecken findet sich hier:

Individual evidence

  1. ↑http://www.cheminsdurail.be
  2. ↑http://www.railtrails.dk Banestien Dänemark

References to literature and maps

  • RailTrails Nord-West: Die schönsten Radwege auf ehemaligen Bahntrassen von Bremen bis Essen [Illustriert] (ISBN 978-3765449796 )
  • RailTrails Deutschland: Die 100 schönsten Radwege auf ehemaligen Bahntrassen [Gebundene Ausgabe], (ISBN 3765459615 ), Verlag:Bruckmann
  • Die 50 schönsten Bahntrassenradwege in Deutschland [Broschiert] Verlag: BFA bielefeld

Web links

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