Brunssum, Kerkrade and Heerlen

Cycle through the rolling Limburg landscape and explore large cities and the beautiful Brunssummerheide. This hilly area consists of heathland, forest, fens and peat bogs. Raised bog occurs in the source area; here the Brunssummerheide is therefore particularly humid. In the area, if you come in the summer months, you can see many butterflies fluttering. Due to the high humidity, there are also many amphibians and reptiles: green frogs, grass snakes and sand lizards are no exception. Other animals such as the nightjar and the tree pipit also feel at home among plants such as bone asphodel, white beak sedge and clubmoss. But it is not only nature that is beautiful. Well-known, larger cities are bustling in Limburg! Heerlen is one of the largest municipalities in Limburg. Traditionally, Heerlen was fairly isolated because there were no good access 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 got a station and a connection to the Dutch rail network, which opened up the city to the surrounding area. Due to 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 route in Brunssum, you can take your bike 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 card is good for a discount of 10 euros on the maintenance and any repairs at this bicycle specialist. Then you are ready to go and see the many historic castles and houses of Limburg! Kasteel Ehrenstein 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. The old fortress is surrounded by a moat, which is fed by the Anstelerbeek. On the estate, the castle is referred to as Oud-Ehrenstein, while Nieuw 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 perpendicular economic buildings around a forecourt. There are also traces of an old moat that has since been filled in. A magnificent cellar has been built under the right wing with breathtakingly beautiful vaulted roofs between the brick belt arches. Het Strijthagen te Welten is a rectangular building that is also called the Huys te Welten. The house was extensively renovated in the nineteenth century and therefore does not resemble the original much anymore. The first renovation took place around 1860. The old castle was located south of the Weltervijver on a moated site. Unfortunately, the current house cannot be visited. Kasteel Ter Worm is part of the estate of the same name, Ter Worm. 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, who restored the castle and established a hotel there. Ten kilometres before you return to the starting point in Brunssum, you will see a final castle. Prickenis is a beautiful castle first mentioned in 1381. The various economic buildings surround the courtyard. Nowadays, the estate is also called Klein Geitsbach. Because the house is inhabited, it cannot be visited.