Road Trip Guide: Goslar to Mons – Scenic Drive

The route from Goslar (Lower Saxony) to Mons (Wallonia) spans roughly 450 km (280 miles) via the A7, A2, and E40 highways. A little-known fact: near Goslar, the A7 crosses the former Inner German Border, where remnants of watchtowers still stand. This stretch offers a blend of Harz forest, industrialized Ruhr, and Belgian canal landscapes.

• Driving time: approx. 4.5–5 hours without stops.
• Best seasons: late spring (May) for wildflowers or September for golden fields.
• Key roads: A7 south to Kassel, then A44/A2 west toward Dortmund, then A40/E40 to Aachen and into Belgium.

The route is heavily motorway-based, with rest areas every 30-50 km. In Germany, fuel prices are moderate; in Belgium, slightly higher but with more stations near the border. Consider a full tank in Germany before crossing. The only toll is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel near Antwerp (€6 for cars).

• Fuel stations: Shell and Aral on A7; Total and Esso on A40.
• Rest stops: Dammer Berge (A1), Raststätte Hellweg (A44), Rastplatz Elten (A3).
• Alternative route: Via A1 through Düsseldorf adds 20 min but more culinary stops.
• EV charging: Plenty of fast chargers on A7 and A2; plan at Ionity stations.

Road Quality

• German autobahns: excellent surface, some sections unlimited speed.
• Belgian motorways: good but older concrete near Mons; watch for potholes after winter.
• Roadworks: frequent near Ruhr area; check traffic before departure.

Highways are well-lit and maintained, but fatigue sets in after 2 hours. Plan a break at Raststätte Dammer Berge (km 180) which has a playground. Children can enjoy the Arche Noah petting zoo near Bielefeld. Pets are welcome at most German rest areas, but not at Belgian restaurants; use pet relief areas at stations.

• Family stop: Familypark Heckmannshof (exit 26, A44) – petting zoo and bouncy castles.
• Pet-friendly hotels: Motel One Aachen (dogs allowed) and Ibis Mons (extra fee).
• Rest zones: Sleep softly at Rastplatz Wildemann (A7) or Hotel-restaurant an der Lahn (A45).
• Night driving: In Harz, deer warnings; in Ruhr, bright city lights reduce animal risk.

For hidden gems, veer off the A2 near Hamm to visit the Maximilianpark with its butterfly house. Or near Maastricht (if you detour 20 min), the St. Pietersberg caves. To learn how to find more secret stops, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• Hidden spot: Kloster Wedinghausen (Arnsberg) – free abbey garden.
• Scenic detour: Replace A40 with B229 through Sauerland for twisty forest roads.

The first leg from Goslar to Kassel passes through the Harz National Park, offering dense forests and rolling hills. After Kassel, the landscape opens into the Westphalian Bay, then industrial Ruhr with its coking plants and coal mines (now UNESCO). Near Aachen, the landscape turns green again with the Eifel forests, and finally into Belgian coal mining country.

• Harz National Park: Stop for a hike to the Brocken peak (1,141 m).
• Ruhr area: Visit the Zollverein Coal Mine in Essen (UNESCO).
• Border market: Near Aachen, buy regional biscuits (Maronen) and Belgian chocolates.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Goslar Old Town and Mines of the Rammelsberg (start) – 1,000 years of mining history.
• Zollverein Coal Mine (Essen) – Bauhaus-inspired industrial architecture.
• Cathedral of Aachen – Charlemagne's coronation church.
• Grand-Hornu (near Mons) – Neo-classical industrial complex.