A section of the Way of St. James leads west from Straelen city centre, downhill along the Grenzweg into the Maas lowlands, to the Straelener Veen. Alongside city tours and cultural attractions, this gives a stay a clear connection to the landscape.

Trail and landscape

The Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela passes through Straelen. The Straelener Veen was a moorland and wet woodland area; today, the landscape is shaped by grassland, ditches and small woods. Anyone interested in this section of the route can connect its direction and destination with a specific landscape: westward out of the city and down into the lowlands.

Guided tours and the Smuggler’s Trail

Guided tours take you on foot through the city centre, by bike through the Lower Rhine countryside or by bus through the horticultural region. The tours differ both in their mode of transport and in their setting. If you plan to join a tour, confirm current availability with the city.

Another route option is the Smuggler’s Trail in Straelen-Kastanienburg, between Straelen and Velden. The 2.6-kilometre trail passes through meadows and fields, along a ditch and through woodland. You can explore it independently or book a guided tour. As trail conditions may change, check them before your visit.

From April to October, guided GreenCity bike tours run in open groups: on the first Saturday of each month and on the following Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The starting point is Straelen market square; exceptions are possible. Check the latest tour information before making plans.

City history and special places

Originally partly Romanesque, St. Peter and Paul Parish Church acquired its present appearance in 1498, after being shelled and captured by the troops of the future Emperor Maximilian I. Its Gothic high choir and bell tower still dominate the city skyline.

The European Translators’ College is the world’s first and largest international working centre for literary translators. Visits are currently not possible due to extensive construction work.

Another feature of the city is the Green Couch: it has stood on a plinth in front of Straelen Town Hall since 2001.

Cycling plans in the wider Kleve destination

In the wider Kleve destination, the district has more than 1,500 kilometres of cycle routes and numerous themed trails. The signposted Niers Cycle Route is 128 kilometres long and runs from the source of the Niers in Mönchengladbach through the districts of Viersen and Kleve to the municipality of Gennep in the Netherlands. A pocket guide, when unfolded, shows all the junctions in Kleve district and explains how the district-wide system works. The route lengths differ considerably: 2.6 kilometres for the Smuggler’s Trail and 128 kilometres for the Niers Cycle Route.

Discover more destinations: Bedburg-Hau, Weeze, Goch, Kevelaer, Geldern, Kleve, Rheurdt, Kranenburg

Back to the wider travel overview: Kleve.