5th Swisttal Apple Route Day

Swisttal Apple Route Day 2026 — the entire Vorgebirge on bikes

On May 30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the municipality of Swisttal is organizing its Apple Route Day for the fifth time — the big cycling event for the entire municipality. On this Saturday, the eight districts from Buschhoven to Straßfeld will come together under one motto: cycling, regional products, club life, and family fun along the Apple Route.

Apple Route — Background

The Apple Route is a 124-kilometer themed cycle path through the northern Vorgebirge hills between Bonn, Cologne, and the Eifel region. It leads through the apple and fruit-growing region on the southern edge of the Cologne Bay and connects eight neighboring municipalities, including Swisttal, on flat to gently rolling terrain. The path is family-friendly and continuously signposted. Rest areas and information boards about fruit cultivation can be found at major junctions.

2026 Program

The eight districts celebrate together

Each Swisttal district hosts its own activity point along the route. Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

• Heimerzheim — central festival grounds with main stage, mayor's reception, club stands
• Buschhoven — historic village center with cafés and apple wine tasting
• Odendorf, Miel, Morenhoven — farm openings with guided tours, animal enclosures, petting zoo
• Ludendorf, Ollheim, Straßfeld — direct marketers with apple juice, apple cake, honey, strawberries

Offers for cyclists

• Free guided tours by Apple Route tour guides
• Breakdown assistance stations at main junctions
• Bicycle parking clearly signposted everywhere
• Bouncy castles, face painting, craft activities at the main venues

Gastronomy and Culinary Delights

Local clubs and direct marketers offer classic Vorgebirge specialties:

• Freshly pressed apple juice and apple wine
• Apple cake, crumble cake, pancakes
• Sausages, potato pancakes, fries
• Strawberries from the Vorgebirge (regional season)
• Coffee, beer, soft drinks

Practical Information and Getting There

The Apple Route Day is free of charge — the easiest way to get there is by your own bike. If you come by car, park in one of the districts (preferably Heimerzheim as the central main town) and switch to a bicycle on site. E-bikes are ideal, as the Apple Route is gently hilly. The municipality of Swisttal provides information online at swisttal.de/veranstaltungen about the exact program of stations.

Swisttal — Voreifel in the Rhein-Sieg District

The municipality of Swisttal is located in the western Rhein-Sieg district, southwest of Bonn and north of the Eifel. It is named after the stream Swist, which flows through the municipality and empties into the Erft river. With around 18,000 inhabitants and eight districts, Swisttal is a typical rural municipality in the Vorgebirge — characterized by agriculture, with apple and strawberry cultivation as its trademarks. The annual Apple Route Day is the largest community festival in this municipality and an important promotional tool for gentle cycling tourism in the Voreifel region.