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Your route at a glance

The Rur from Heimbach to Zerkall

14 kilometres of pure Eifel: the real river course, beneath castles and bridges, through the red sandstone cliffs. Scroll your way down the river station by station.

14Kilometres
2.5–3 hPaddling time
12Stations
WW Ieasy
Book the Rur Tour Explore the route
Scroll downstream
The real river course

Down the Rur station by station

The map shows the actual course of the Rur (data: OpenStreetMap) with all the bridges. As you scroll, the boat glides down the river, and our van takes your luggage on ahead.

0,0 / 14 km Start Heimbach
Rur · real courseHeimbach → Zerkall
Luggage service: We take your personal belongings on ahead.
Rur Valley road Rurtalbahn Bridge Village Campsite Rurtalbahn stop Rocks
Getting there by the Rurtalbahn
Before the tour · Zerkall → Heimbach
Outbound trip

You park at the take-out in Zerkall and take the Rurtalbahn up to Heimbach in around 15 minutes. There you get into the boat and paddle the 14 km back to the car at a leisurely pace. On the map you can see the train heading up the route.

Keep your eyes open

Who's waiting for you on the bank

The Rur valley is a nature reserve on the edge of the Eifel National Park. With a bit of luck, along the way you'll spot:

Highlights

Why exactly this route

Good to know

Season & clever logistics

Tour facts

  • 14 km from Heimbach to Zerkall, around 35 metres of descent.
  • 4.5 hours in total, of which 2.5 to 3 hours are actual paddling, plus a picnic break of about 30 minutes on a meadow in Blens.
  • Easy (WW I), suitable for beginners and families, minimum age 9 years.
  • Rur closed 1 March to 14 July (bird breeding), only navigable when the minimum water level is reached. Reservoir all year round.

The clever round trip

1
Parking in ZerkallFree at the Infopoint (Auel 1, Hürtgenwald).
2
Rurtalbahn up to HeimbachAround 15 minutes leisurely up the valley.
3
Paddle back 14 kmMeanwhile, your luggage travels by van to Blens and Zerkall.
4
Dry back to the carChanging rooms and showers (showers for a fee) at the Infopoint await at the finish.
▶ On video

The route on video

Real runs of the Rur from Heimbach to Zerkall. Click in and see the river in motion.

Ready for your Rur tour?

Secure your date now. 14 kilometres of the finest Eifel, guided, safe and unforgettable.

Book your Rur tour now View the route again
★ 4,8 Google Easy to get there by the Rurtalbahn Luggage transport included

Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)