View Google Map | Open with GoogleEarth
The Niers is a 117.7 kilometer long river that originates near Erkelenz, south of Mönchengladbach. It flows through Mönchengladbach, Viersen, Wachtendonk, Geldern and Goch before flowing into the Meuse in Gennep, just across the border with the Netherlands. The following two bicycle routes don’t follow the entire length of the Niers river into the Netherlands, but approximately half its length from the origin near Erkelenz to Grefrath and a few kilometers beyond. The first Niers route is a round-trip of about 49 kilometers total.
The first Niers route starts in Ohler and leads to the municipal park and forest in Rheydt, which has always been one of my favorite destinations with the minigolf and tabletennis opportunities, and also because of the bumpy dirt track which I loved to race on. The route continues through Mennrath, Beckrath, Herrath to the Niers origin in Erkelenz. It follows the Niers from Kuckum to Wanlo, Wickrath, Odenkirchen to the Bresgespark which has been another nice rest spot as mentioned on some of my earlier routes. Following the Niers the route continues to the manor-house Rheydt which is also the end of the first route.
The second route will continue there and follow the Niers north toward the Netherlands. I will probably post this one tomorrow. The Niers route has been one of my favorites, for no particular reason than that it just is a very pleasant and beautiful ride outside of traffic, on really nice paths next to the river. It is also interesting to see where the river originates as tiny streamlet and to follow it as it grows to a small river.
