Brunssum, Kerkrade and Heerlen

Cycle through the rolling Limburg landscape and explore major cities and the beautiful Brunssummerheide. This hilly area consists of heathland, forest, fens and bogs. Raised peat occurs in the source area; The Brunssummerheide is therefore particularly humid here. If you come in the summer months, you can see many butterflies fluttering in the area. Due to the high moisture content, many amphibians and reptiles also live here: green frogs, grass snakes and sand lizards are no exception. Other animals such as the nightjar and the tree pipit also thrive among plants such as sedge, white-billed rush and club moss. But not only nature is beautiful. Well-known, larger cities are vibrant in Limburg! Heerlen is one of the largest municipalities in Limburg. Traditionally, Heerlen was fairly isolated because there were no good supply and drainage roads and the city was therefore hidden between the hills. The city was self-sufficient and derived a lot of income from mining. It was not until 1896 that Heerlen received a station and connection to the Dutch rail network, making the city accessible to the surrounding area. Thanks to a flourishing trade, the town has grown into the city it is today. At Profile Mohren, located at the start and end point of the cycle tour in Brunssum, you can bring your bicycle in for maintenance. It is of course nice if your bike is in tip-top condition when you start the cycle route. Your bicycle discount pass with this bicycle specialist is good for a discount of 10 euros on maintenance and any repairs. Then you are ready to go and see the many historic castles and houses of Limburg! Ehrenstein Castle is a breathtaking castle located just outside Ham in Kerkrade. The castle was built in the first half of the fourteenth century. In 1708 the castle fell victim to a major fire and the granary and stables burned down. The castle includes lands that are located in areas called Groene Long and Cranenweyer. There is a moat around the old fortress, which is fed by the Anstelerbeek. On the estate, the castle is referred to as Oud-Ehrenstein, while New Ehrenstein refers to the farm on the site. In 2013, the castle is used as a restaurant and hotel. Another beautiful castle is s-Heeren Anstel, a beautiful castle with two economic buildings arranged at right angles around a forecourt. There are also traces of an old canal that has now been filled in. A beautiful cellar has been built under the right wing with breathtakingly beautiful vaulted ceilings between the brick arches. The Strijthagen in Welten is a rectangular building that is also called the Huys te Welten. The house was extensively renovated in the nineteenth century and therefore no longer resembles the original. The first renovation took place around 1860. The old castle was located south of the Welter Pond on a moated site. Unfortunately, the current house cannot be visited. Ter Worm Castle is part of the Ter Worm estate of the same name. The current complex was built in the seventeenth century on the site of its fifteenth century predecessor. During the twentieth century, the castle fell into serious disrepair until it was bought by the Van der Valk hotel chain, which restored the castle and established a hotel there. Ten kilometers before you return to the starting point in Brunssum, you will see a last castle. Prickenis is a beautiful castle first mentioned in 1381. The various economy buildings surround the courtyard. Nowadays the estate is also called Klein Geitsbach. Because the house is inhabited, it cannot be visited.