High water

We start the route just below Geulle on the Meuse River. From here, after junction 14, we cycle towards junction 8 in Maastricht. Along the way, we pass the villages of Itteren and Borgharen. These two villages were inaccessible in January 2011. The access roads were flooded due to the high level of the Meuse River. The villagers could only reach their homes and work using military vehicles, parking their cars in higher parking lots outside the villages. From junction 8, we continue to Meerssen. Along the way, we pass Vaeshartelt Castle and De Boekenerhof Vineyard. This vineyard consists of two sustainably cultivated and managed vineyards. The De Boekenderhof Vineyards are located near the Vaeshartelt estate, adjacent to Villa Zonnevang, in the relatively warm Meuse Valley. Fruit growers in this area say their fruit can be picked about ten days earlier than their counterparts on the higher South Limburg plateau, while those in turn can start harvesting ten to fourteen days earlier than their counterparts in, for example, the Betuwe region. In Meerssen, we find the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament. It dates from the 14th century and is a showpiece of Maas Gothic architecture. This church boasts a 12-meter-high sacramental tower, commemorating the miracles said to have occurred there. This church is definitely worth a visit. The tourist office in Meerssen can tell you all about it. We also find the Groote Molen (Great Mill) in Meerssen. During the remainder of this cycling route, you should be aware of moderate slopes, partly because we are close to the Geuldal Valley. Along this route, you can spot one of the many planes that land daily at Maastricht Airport. We continue cycling to Beek. Along the way, we pass the St. Hubertus windmill. In 2005, during roadworks between Beek and Neerbeek, the remains of a fortified village settlement dating back to 5000 BC were discovered. Since no older remains of a fortified settlement have been found in the Netherlands, as far as we know, this makes this village the oldest in the country. From Beek, we cycle past Elsloo back towards Geulle on the Meuse River. This is also our final destination.