The circular Smokkelroute from Dörpen in Lower Saxony through Ter Apel and Bellingwolde may be almost entirely flat, but it has a lot to offer. You ride 167 kilometres (103 mi) through the region of Emsland in Germany and the Dutch province of Groningen. Although there are only 320 metres (1,050 feet) of elevation gain along the route, there are plenty of exciting highlights, delicious food, rivers, canals and lakes. I prefer to call this adventure the ‘Smokkelroute Pleasure Tour’.

Together with its sister trail, the Pioneer Route, the Smokkelroute makes up the United Countries Tour. This 600-kilometre (372 mi) network of cycle paths leads through the Emsland, the County of Bentheim and the regions of Groningen and Drenthe, connecting the beautiful landscapes, buildings and history on either side of the border. The Smokkelroute translates to ‘smuggling route’ and the adventure follows old smuggling paths across the border, waymarking trails that were once secret. The entire Smokkelroute is signposted with a yellow ‘United Countries Tour’ sign.

I have divided the route into three stages so that you have enough time to visit the many sights and highlights along the way. I chose the small town of Dörpen as the starting point, because it is very easy to reach by train (RE 15 from Münster to Emden). The first stage leads you from Dörpen to Ter Apel, where you can stay overnight in a hotel, inn or bed & breakfast. Accommodation is easy to find at the end of the second stage in Bellingwolde too.

You won't have to climb more than 130 metres (426 feet) per day and most of the stages run through nature or along rivers and canals.

I wish you a lot of fun on this adventure. A small tip: If you see ‘Appelgebak met Slagroom’ on the menu in a Dutch café, order it with your coffee – it’s delicious!