Heart of Heuvelland!

But before we cross to Belgium, we cycle on the edge of the Vijlenerbos and experience the first meters of altitude on the way to the hamlet of Kleeberg. (90) The roads look like a maze. Junction sign (93) leads us flawlessly in the direction of Vijlen. This highest village in the Netherlands offers a beautiful view of the Geuldal.

The route passes numerous half-timbered houses and farms as we cycle from Harles towards (93) Lemiers. On the National Road between Lemiers and Mamelis, your legs get some rest. In the hamlet of Mamelis we cross the border to Orsbach, Germany. (96) The asphalt climbs steadily along the Orsbacher Wald.

The view over Vijlen and Lemiers somewhat relieves the tension on the thighs during the climb to Orsbach. Once on the Bocholtz plateau we leave German territory and cycle on flat roads between the fields to the Dutch Bocholtz. (97) Once again we cycle on flat roads. This time across the Bocholtzerheide in the direction of Simpelveld where we cross the track of the Miljoenenlijntje. (89) The road to Bosschenhuizen climbs out of the Simpelveld valley.

At the chapel built from Kunrader stone we follow the junction sign (88) to Trintelen where a 70 meter deep well still adorns an intersection. Anyone who wants to stretch their legs while enjoying a panoramic view and a varied menu can go to the Bernardushoeve at junction (88).

Via Colmont (57) we follow the route past the Fromberg wine estate, where the slopes have been adorned by many vines since 1991. Via the hamlet of Stokhem we get closer to the lively Gulpen (85), where the Gulpener brewery still determines the taste of the beer. In the hamlet of Euverem we start the climb out of the Gulp valley.

The route passes the hop fields of the Gulpen brewery and near the hamlet of Hoogcruts we get a view of the dilapidated monastery of the same name, which was destroyed by fire in 1979. The pleasant Slenaken is approaching rapidly during the descent from the Schilberg (84).

Belgian Voer region

There is no shortage of attractive rest areas in this region. Just across the border (428) in Teuven, Belgium, there is always a terrace available. Since the landscape of the Voerstreek does not differ much from the Limburg Hills, the leg muscles will also be called upon here. In the hamlet of Sinnich (427) we cycle past the entrance gate of Obsinnich Castle. Here we are treated to a slope through the Beusdalbos. We climb to the top of the forest via various bends. During the descent on the other side we are rewarded with a panoramic view of the Voerstreek and Beusdael Castle.

The home stretch

We follow the route to the town of Klein Kuttingen (92) where we cross the Dutch border at border post 11. Fortunately, the last mile (90) is not always the heaviest. The descent towards the hamlet of Terziet is not only a feast for the legs but also for the eyes. The Heuvelland seems at its most beautiful here. Hollow roads alternate with sweeping views.

In the direction of the hamlet of Diependal it goes uphill for a while. But this shouldn't spoil the fun. The cycling tour through the heart of the Heuvelland is almost complete. Just a stone's throw from the finish, we have a wide choice of numerous places to rest your legs and look back on a tough but beautiful route through the Heuvelland.

Click here for more information about this cycle route.