image author: Kurt Zich

The bicycle route 'On smugglers' paths in the borderland' runs into the border area of the Netherlands.

Before the opening of the European border sugglers used this path to bring goods to Germany. The tour starts at the island castle at the Harik Lake, Harikseeweg 78 in Schwalmtal.

The castle was used by the owners of house Clee for celebrations and hunting outings in the 19th-century.
The route runs along from the island castle at the wooded east banks of the Harik Lake up the hill direction Amern. Via the rail cycle path district Viersen between Amern and Waldniel cyclists reach the neo-Gothic parish church St. Michael.

The Schwalmtal-cathedral can be seen from afar. Cyclists cycle along the Schwalmtaler loop via Ungerath and an overpath of the motorway 52 into the wooded area at the Lousberg. The forest path runs into the valley of the Schwalm river. Here you'll find the Pannen Mill. The former grain and oil mill stems from the 19th-century.
Along the Lower Rhine route no 89 the path runs through the village centre of Niederkrüchten and then further on to Oberkrüchten with the parish church St. Martin. Via the Lamertzweg cyclists will reach the nature reserve Meinweg-Boschbeek in the border area of the Netherland.

Coffee especially was a popular contraband goods in this wooded area. Dealer brought the goods on these natural paths over to Germany. The route leads to the intersections 80 and 78. From there a visit to the visitor centre in the National Park De Meinweg is well worth the detour.
The path runs through the forests in the direction of the intersection 79 past the Vennhof.

Cyclists cross over the closed railway line of the Rhine. Along the Elmpter Wood cyclists should take a look over the expanse of the heathland. The route runs on the Niederkrüchtener loop through the nature reserve 'Lüsekamp and Boschbeek'. Via Hillenkamp and a motorway 52 overpath cyclists will reach Elmpt with the former noble seat House Elmpt.

Along the Mönchengladbacher Straße it goes back to Niederkrüchten. Via Brempt with the Brempter Mill and St.Georg's-Chapel cyclists will reach the island castle after 42km again.