Roman Canal cycle path
The **Römerkanal cycle path** combines sporty cycling fun with a fascinating leap into antiquity: on just 25 kilometers, you accompany the almost 2,000-year-old Roman water pipeline from Bonn Oberkassel to Rheinbach – perfect for half a day in the saddle. From our Oberwinter vacation apartment, it’s just 15 minutes to the starting point, and thanks to good train connections, you can then cycle back in comfort. Pack your helmet, camera and a little spirit of discovery – off you go!
Historical water technology you can touch
If you cycle along the Roman Canal Cycle Path today, you will follow the exact route that Roman engineers used from 80 AD.AD, around 20,000 cubic meters of spring water from the Eifel to the former garrison town of *Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium* (Cologne). Impressive relics remain – such as the arched sections up to seven meters high near Meckenheim-Altendorf or the well-preserved “Klauser Tunnel” collection tank. Information boards from the **Römerkanal-Wanderweg e. V.** association clearly explain how gradient calculation, opus caementicium and waterproof lime mortar coating worked. A special highlight: the pipes contained a precisely calculated lime film that served as a natural seal – a technique that modern engineers only decoded in the 20th century. If you want to delve even deeper, visit the Roman Canal Information Center (
Route & GPX download
The starting point is the S-Bahn station *Bonn-Oberkassel*. From here, follow the brown Römerhelm signs via Pützchen and the apple orchards near Meckenheim to the historic town center of Rheinbach. The route is 25 km long, has an elevation gain of only 190 meters and runs almost entirely on asphalt or fine gravel farm tracks – perfect for trekking and e-bikes as well as family trailers. You can download a clear elevation profile and the current GPX track free of charge from
Take a break with taste – tips for stops along the way
Roman water makes you thirsty: after ten kilometers, the **Hofladen Apfelbacher** in Meckenheim beckons with homemade orchard juice and fluffy sheet cakes. All products come from controlled cultivation in the foothills – a real vitamin boost for the second section of the route. If you prefer something heartier, cycle two kilometers further to the **Gudenau-Allee** beer garden and try the regional specialty “Rievkooche” (potato pancakes) with apple sauce. For culture vultures, we recommend a detour (2 km extra loop) to the moated castle *Gudenau*, whose baroque rose garden is particularly photogenic in June. All stops have bike racks and offer free charging facilities for e-bikes – the operators have been cooperating with the *RadRegionRheinland* project since 2024 and rely on green electricity. A successful mix of enjoyment and sustainability that fits in perfectly with the slow travel philosophy of our Oberwinter vacation apartment.
Organization & arrival without car
From the entrance to your accommodation in Oberwinter, you can reach the starting station in just 12 minutes on the Mittelrhein-Bahn RB26 – practically step-free, so that even tandems and children’s trailers can board without any problems. Regional trains run every 30 minutes; bike tickets are already included in the *SchöneReiseTag* 24h ticket in the VRS region. To get back, get on the same line at the **Rheinbach** station or cycle three extra kilometers to the **Meckenheim-Industriepark** stop, where there are more connections to Bonn. If you want to be on the safe side, reserve a seat in the DB bicycle compartment (free of charge, as of April 2025). Our tip: Use the interactive charging map finder(https://radregionrheinland.de/elektromobilitaet/) to check your battery in between.
Extend, vary, combine
25 kilometers not enough for you? No problem: from Rheinbach you can join the *Eifel-Höhen-Radweg*, which runs to Blankenheim – turning the half-day trip into a challenging 70-km tour. Alternatively, you can switch to the **Rhine Cycle Path** at the Botanical Gardens of the University of Bonn and cycle back to Oberwinter along the water. Culture fans can add a morning stop at the Roman Museum *Haus der Geschichte* in Bonn (Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m., free admission). For families, we recommend a combination with the nearby Bowling & Fun Center Bornheim(https://www.bowl-fun.de)– if the weather changes, the bad weather option is guaranteed.
Conclusion
Pedal into the past The **Römerkanal cycle path** proves that exercise and education are not mutually exclusive: Every turn of the cranks tells of Roman architecture, every vantage point offers new panoramic views over the Voreifel and Kottenforst. Thanks to the moderate distance, the route is ideal for couples, families and after-work sports enthusiasts. From Oberwinter, you can set off stress-free by train or car and return fulfilled in the evening – perhaps with a bag of Apfelbacher juice as a souvenir.
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