The distance between Utrecht and Heerlen is a beautiful 3-6 day cycling trip. Below, we suggest a 6-day route throught Netherlands and Germany, staying overnight in Wageningen, Anholt, Geldern, Herkenbosch and Heerlen. Accomodations need to be reserved well in advance; some of the hotels are very popular.
In Utrecht, we can recommend NH Hotel Utrecht Jaarbeursplein. Bicycles can be rented at Wiel-Rent. If something unexpected happens or the weather is bad, it is possible to travel some parts of the route by train, or to take the train back to Utrecht.
The route is not recommended in winter, due to the risk of ice and snow on cycling paths.
Day 1: Utrecht to Wageningen (65 km, map link)
Start: Fietsknooppunt 52 (1 km west of Utrecht Central Station). Bike south along the canal towards Knooppunten 13, 73 and 74. Before reaching 74, cross the canal to the left on Symfonielaan. Go left to Lekkanaaldijk and over the bridge to Knooppunt 6. Follow the right side of the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal to Houten, where the Knooppunten route turns away from the canal for a few kilometres (6-90-3-14-64-66). Then continue along the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal to Wijk bij Duurstede (66-63-58-57-56-55-14-15), where we can recommend De Engel Café for lunch.
Thereafter continue to Amerongen, Veenendaal, Rhenen and Wageningen (15-17-65-42-43-85-38-34-30-33-26-11-12-28-45-25-83). In Wageningen, Hotel de Wereld can be recommended for dinner and overnight stay (just before Knoppunt 83).
Day 2: Wageningen to Anholt (74 km, map link)
From Wageningen, go east towards Arnhem (83-61-81-6-20-2-8-9-37-53-39-94-35) and south on the dike of Riederrijn to Huissen (35-22-30-66) where the river is crossed on a bicycle ferry (66-63).
Continue on the eastern dike (63-64-65-6-88-46-33-29-30-2-3-1) to Emmerich am Rhein. Then go east to Anholt (1-9-87-84-68-69-43). For dinner and overnight stay, Romantik Parkhotel Wasserburg Anholt is a unique experience, with the calm atmosphere of the beautiful Schlossgarten viewed from the restaurant.
We recommend to stay in Anholt for two nights, allowing a daytrip along Bocholter Aa to Bocholt (43-44-65-66-41-54-18-31-47-55).
Among other places worth a visit in this area, the beautiful town Kleve and the catholic centre Kevelaer deserve to be mentioned.
Day 3. Anholt to Geldern (59 km, map link)
From Anholt, go south to Rees (43-19-30-83-80-56). Cross the Rhein on a bicycle ferry (or the bridge near by), continue along the Rhein to Xanthen (20-45-21-22-40) with history back to the Roman Empire. Continue to Birten (40-41-25-53) where a roman amphitheatre is seen to the right of the road (Römerstrasse).
From Birten to Geldern, the following route is suggested: 53-54-55-96-70-80-82-20. Hotel See Park Janssen may be chosen for dinner and overnight stay (located between 82 and 20, see map).
Day 4. Geldern to Herkenbosch (71 km, map link)
The suggested route goes through the modern centre of Geldern, and then south along the river Niers (20-95-93-29-75-60) to Straelen, where the old Markt is worth seeing.
Then south along the river Nette past the old town Wachtendonk (60-34-30-32 44-45) continuing south to Schwalmtal (45-63-67-37-65-38) and further southwest to Niederkrüchten and Herkenbosch (38-91-17-10-21-81-80-78-77) where Romantik Hotel Kasteel Dalenbroeck can be recommended for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5. Herkenbosch to Heerlen (50 km, map link)
From Herkenbosch towards Heerlen, one could go east along the river Rur, west along Maas, or choose a more direct route towards south as suggested here (71-25-15-14-35-33-31-48-47-53-44-52-75-63-62-61-33-74-35-76-33-51).
Van der Valk Hotel Kasteel Terworm in Heerlen can be recommended for dinner and overnight stay (alternatively Van der Valk Hotel Heerlen, which is located near Kasteel Terworm).
In Heerlen, we advise to use a few days for local cycling trips (to Valkenburg, Maastricht, Vaals and Drielandenpunt, Slenaken and Voeren) before leaving the area.
