South Limburg nearby

<p>Many Dutch people who head south to go cycling in South Limburg, drive to Valkenburg or even further into South Limburg. However, you can also start directly below Geleen and string together many climbs in the northern part of South Limburg.</p> <p>You follow the track anticlockwise and start in Genhout, near Spaubeek. This is easily accessible via the A76 (exit Spaubeek). However, when driving home there is no driveway Spaubeek to the west. You then have to drive to Neerbeek to take the slip road to the A76.</p> <p>The first 9 km from Genhout are hot cycling. You first cycle to Elsloo to descend over the cobblestones to the Maasdal (Maasberg descent). When you reach the bottom, you cycle past Elsloo Castle. Near Geulle you first follow the Slingerberg, then you descend the Snijdersberg and then climb the Schieversberg.</p> <p>You then cycle towards Bunde and Schietecoven and descend the Biesenberg: bumpy road surface but with a beautiful view of the hills in front of you. Then follows the ascent of the Visweg. After the descent to the Geuldal, you follow the Geul for a few kilometers on a dead end road for car traffic. In good weather it can be busy here with walkers! You leave the Geuldal via the climb of the Geulhemmerbergweg.</p> <p>Then you set course for Maastricht via the long descent of the Kuitenberg, you cycle along the eastern edge of Maastricht and then climb up past marl quarry't Rooth on a separate asphalted cycle path. Then you head towards Berg en Terblijt and descend the steep Brakkeberg (14%). Via Houthem and the climbs of In de Schreub and Kleverberg you arrive in Groot- and Klein Haasdal.</p> <p>Via very rural roads you go to the hidden hamlets of Helle and Terstraten and climb your way out of the hamlet of Terstraten. You descend the plateau from Schimmert to Spaubeek and finally you climb the Hobbelrade to end up in Genhout.</p>