100,000 kilometres in length, the impressive network of roads served the cohesion and administration of the gigantic Roman Empire. The so-called “Erlebnisraum Römerstraße” (Roman Road Adventure Experience) opens up interesting paths in the history of the Rhineland and makes them come alive in a new way.

Roman roads in Rhineland

The Roman province Germania Inferior was linked to Rome and the other parts of the Roman Empire by a network of well constructed highways – the “viae publicae”. The “Limes Road” ran from the foothills of the Alps to the North Sea via the capital of Germania Inferior – Cologne (Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium). The Via Agrippa ran from Cologne via Trier to Lyon and on to Marseille. The Via Belgica linked Cologne with Boulogne-sur-Mer on the Atlantic coast. With long stretches still preserved today, the roads have played a major role in the development of the region right up to the present day.

Roman roads – a cycling experience

The Roman roads and the surrounding areas really are attractive for tourists. The cycle and walking paths along the ancient highways from Cologne to Dahlem (Via Agrippa) and from Cologne to Übach-Palenberg (Via Belgica) are perfect for an eventful excursion in history – from Roman times via the Middle Ages to the recent past. Discover lots of exciting and interesting things about the roads, the roadside archaeological monuments and the nearby sights and attractions. They all come together to form a unique landscape extremely rich in important reminders of the cultural heritage.

Discover – on foot or in the saddle – the culturally important landscape to the left and right of the Roman roads.