Cycling EuroVelo 19 with family

EuroVelo 19 – Meuse Cycle Route is especially welcoming to families and casual cyclists. With great infrastructure, a flat terrain, lots of charming towns and scenic landscapes, it’s perfect for a comfortable weekend getaway. It runs through three countries – France, Belgium and the Netherlands – following the River Meuse (or Maas in Dutch). Along the way, families will find playgrounds, interactive museums, riverside picnic spots, adventure parks, and plenty of child-friendly accommodations. Moreover, with excellent public transport links and cycle-friendly trains, planning a weekend trip along EuroVelo 19 – Meuse Cycle Route is simple and stress-free.

France - Verdun Greenway (Voie Verte)

This 30 km path between Verdun and Samogneux is ideal for a relaxed day trip. It is a high-quality cycling path, with an optional loop through Verdun’s battlefields and town centre, and runs along Japiot Park, which offers a playground, picnic tables, and a summer kiosk serving waffles, crêpes, and ice cream. You can rent bicycles, e-bikes, cargo bikes, and kid trailers at the local tourist office. Just note that public transport is rather limited here, with a regional train-bus connection between Metz and Verdun, and a bus between Verdun and Samogneux.

Finally, don’t miss the Verdun Venetian Carnival on 14-15 June – a vibrant local event that brings a splash of colour and music to the city.

France – Trans-Ardennes Greenway: Mouzon to Givet

The 130 km Trans-Ardennes Greenway runs along the Meuse Valley in the Ardennes Regional Natural Park. It’s flat, paved, traffic-free and perfect for families. Start in Mouzon, pass through Sedan and Charleville-Mézières, and end in the picturesque town of Givet, near the train station. Many of the towns along this stretch offer plenty of opportunities to stop, with a wide range of B&Bs and hotels to choose from. Train access is easy with connections from Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg and Düsseldorf to Charleville-Mézières, and regional lines to Sedan and Givet.

Highlights of the route include Fort de Charlemont in Givet, TerrAltitude Adventure Park in Fumay, Museums of the Ardennes, the World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mézières, Sedan – Europe’s largest fortified castle and Felt Museum in Mouzon, where kids can try felting themselves.

Belgium - Cycling in the province of Namur

This 50 km stretch in the province of Namur offers stunning river views, dramatic cliffs, and lush greenery. Start in the historical city of Dinant, known for its picturesque houses, old cathedral and colourful saxophone sculptures – honouring Adolphe Sax, the instrument’s inventor. There are multiple villages located on the route like Yvoir, Godinne, Wépion, Seilles where you can stop for refreshments. Visit the city of Namur with its medieval citadel, and historic city centre, or continue to Andenne – your last stop before entering Liège province. Highlights along the way include taking the funicular to the citadels of Namur and Dinant, playing disc golf at the DiscGolf Attitude Country Club in Yvoir, enjoying the adventure park Dinant Aventure and visiting museums like the Instrumentarium 'Maison de la Pataphonie' and the Meuse Medieval Heritage Centre.

Trains on lines 154 (Anseremme–Namur) and 125 (Namur–Liège) run alongside the route, offering flexibility to shorten or extend your trip. Up to four kids under 12 travel free and bicycle tickets are just €4.

Discover Limburg – Belgian and Dutch Maas

In Limburg, you will find cross-border cycling routes in the RivierPark Maasvallei, with ferry crossings and clearly marked EuroVelo signage. You can choose to cycle through the Belgian province of Limburg or through the Dutch province of Limburg or both! This 70 km route winds through flat terrain with wildflowers, floodplains and charming villages like Elsloo, Stein, Urmond and Obbicht in the Netherlands and Maaseik, Oud-Rekem and Kanne in Belgium.

Along the way, stop for a fairy tale castle park, rest areas with fun and climbable structures, natural springs and wild garlic fields in Elsloo, mysterious Woodhenge in Stein and the Steinerbos Adventure Park with its forest playgrounds, pools, and alpacas. Fishing is allowed at various spots along the Meuse, and for those seeking adventure, there are opportunities to take a break for a canoe, kayaking, or rafting trip.

There are plenty of options to extend your trip or to deviate from the EuroVelo 19 network with small alternative loops. For example, start from Roermond Station, cycle to Venlo, then on to Venray, and return to the starting point by train. This can be mapped out using the Fietsrouteplanner Limburg website. The route is flat and well-marked, with plenty of cosy B&Bs for overnight stays. The Meuse in Limburg runs parallel to the railway lines, so the Meuse Cycle Route is accessible by public transport from many stations. Start from P&R Maastricht Noord, Meerssen station, or in Belgium from the camper site at De Wissen.

The Netherlands – A Family Adventure at the Mouth of the Maas

This two-day tour in Voorne-Putten offers a child-friendly 100 km route starting and ending in Spijkenisse/Rotterdam.

Begin at Spijkenisse Centrum metro station (cycle-friendly!). Cycle through Heenvliet with its charming square and cafes, swim at Brielse Meer and visit the Fisheries Museum in Zwartewaal. Stop at Vrijheidsbos (Freedom Forest) before exploring Brielle, a historic fortress town with city walls, boat rides, and playgrounds. On the second day of travel, continue to Oostvoornse Meer and De Duinrand (for beach views and playground), then cross the Brielse Gatdam to visit the upcoming Portlantis centre (opening in 2025). Take the Hoekscheveer Ferry for sweeping views of the Maasvlakte before ending in Rotterdam – with an easy metro return to Spijkenisse.

Whether you’re riding through the peaceful French countryside, exploring Belgian castle towns or going past windmills in the Netherlands, EuroVelo 19 offers the perfect weekend adventure. With routes suitable for all skill levels, it’s a wonderful way to create unforgettable memories with your family.

Article by Sofia Jaravin