The Rursee is part of one of the largest reservoirs in Germany. Together with the Obersee and the Urftsee, the Rur dam was originally used to regulate water levels. Today, the uses are more diverse: electricity generation, drinking water storage and tourism play an important role. While drinking water is treated from the Obersee, the Urftsee, which is located in the Eifel National Park, supplies hydroelectric power for the Heimbach Art Nouveau power station. And in summer, bathers, sailors, surfers, stand-up paddlers and anglers cavort on and around the Rursee, while the Rursee-Schifffahrt passenger ships glide across the lake district.

On the western route of our Rursee loop, we cycle along the RurUfer cycle path, which features three newly built rest and adventure points. They are equipped with audio stations, an information point, bicycle parking stands and a picnic area or relaxation loungers. The overarching theme of the RurUfer cycle path is "change", which is thematically staged at the individual stations.

Route description

Intersections: 71 - 86 - 3 - 64 - 22 -21 -87 - 86 -71

Start in Heimbach at the Rur bridge "Über Rur" (junction 71). From here we cycle along the RurUfer cycle path towards Rurberg. First we cycle below Hengebach Castle and above the spa gardens along the Heimbach reservoir to the Heimbach Art Nouveau power station and on to the Schwammenauel dam and jetty. At junction 86, we leave the RurUfer cycle path and follow the signs to junction 3 in the direction of Simmerath / Rurberg. Now we cycle along the eastern bank of the Rursee and free of traffic through the Eifel National Park. We take the Paulushofdamm and then the Eiserbachdamm to the center of Rurberg. It is worth stopping at the National Park Gate to visit the themed exhibition or the rest and adventure area. Cool off with a dip in the Eiserbachsee lake.

The route then continues along the RurUfer cycle path and via junctions 64, 22 and 21 along the western shore of Lake Rur to Woffelsbach and Eschauel. The beach of the same name is the only official bathing spot on Lake Rur. Into the cool water! Those who are not yet exhausted can hire a pedalo, and those who need a break can sunbathe on the beach or watch the goings-on on and around the water from the terrace of the café-restaurant. The route continues along the RurUfer cycle path towards Schwammenauel and back to the starting point via junctions 87 and 86. Once you arrive in Heimbach, there are numerous places to stop for refreshments.

Shortcut options with the Rursee boat trip from the Kermeter, Rurberg, Woffelsbach and Eschauel landing stages.