Moated Castles Route

The Moated Castles route has been awarded three stars by the ADFC. The 470km long Moated Castles route is nearly incline free, and goes along the edge of the Eifel and the Cologne bay through the region with the most moated castles in all of Europe.

Take your bicycle and discover the beautiful landscape of the Eifel, the “Jülicher Börde”, and the Rhein bay with numerous cultural treasures along the way. Nowhere else can you find as many moated castles in such a small area as in the triangle between Aachen, Cologne, and Bonn. The main route takes you past more than 120 castles through the region with the most moated castles in all of Europe. The large number of moated castles indicates the turbulent history of the region, which was characterized by the period of dukes and knights and their many conflicts. 

Castles of the North Eifel

Satzvey Castle

The Satzvey Castle is one of the best preserved moated castles in the Rhineland, with its origin going back to the 13th century. Satzvey Castle is known for its varied programs and events such as the Easter Market, the Witches Festival, children's Knight Festival, and the famous Knights Festival at Pentecost. The wonderful atmosphere is not only worth a visit during the festivals but year round. Browse in the small stores, have a meal at one of the three restaurants, or you can even spend the night in the castle

Zülpich State Castle

The “Kurkölnische Landesburg” state castle in Zülpich was built in the late 14th century as a sovereign symbol and outpost of the Cologne archbishops against the “Grafschaft Jülich”.

Since the “Landesgartenschau NRW Zülpich (LAGA)” in 2014, the 30 meter high observation tower of the castle can be climbed again. You can visit the Zülpich history workshop in the courtyard and the the main floor of the castle. The “Zülpich Museum of Roman Bathing Culture ” is also located in close proximity.