From the dam Schwammenauel, we ascend to Schmidt. In Schmidt, we leave the main road to visit the viewpoint of Sint-Hubertus Höhe, where a magnificent view of the reservoir and the surrounding landscape awaits us.

The downside of this area is that it is well-developed for tourism, meaning there are many well-paved main roads that are heavily frequented and flooded with motorcyclists on weekends. This is especially true for the bike ride from the eastern part to the western part of the reservoir area. As an alternative to these main roads, there are gravel paths along the shores of the reservoirs themselves, but they are not suitable for racing bikes. Fortunately, along the L246, there is a paved bike path (the only east-west connection with a bike path), allowing us to cycle safely away from the rattling traffic (in Germany, outside built-up areas, the maximum speed is 100 km/h) to the other side of the reservoir complex.

From Steckenborn, we travel partly over farm roads to Paustenbach, which we reach after a short, steep ascent (12%). After that, we follow the paved bike path for 9 kilometers along an old railway line (Vennbahn) descending. This brings us to Belgium, where we ride through places like Raeren, Walhorn, Lontzen, Montzen, and Hombourg towards Slenaken, where we enter the Netherlands.

In South Limburg, we ascend the Schilberg and the Bundersberg. From Berg and Terblijt, we descend the steep Brakkeberg (14%) to reach the Geuldal. Through the Geuldal, we cycle to Meerssen and then climb the Biesenberg. Afterwards, we descend into the Maasdal over the steep (14%) Schieversberg exit. After that, we have one more small ascent: the Maasberg in Elsloo over cobblestones.

Then we head to Berg a/d Maas, where we cross the Maas with the car ferry. We then arrive in Belgium and bike over concrete paths on the winter dyke of the Maas towards Heppeneert. Via Aldeneik, we head towards Neeritter, where we re-enter the Netherlands. Afterwards, we go via Hunsel and Ell back towards Heusden.