Roasting, Dieting and Real

Roosteren is located in the west of Echt-Susteren and is only separated from Belgium by the Meuse. Roosteren is a small, but complete place to live with all amenities within walking distance, picturesque neighborhoods and lots of greenery. With this route you will discover, for example, De Doort, a nature reserve between the towns of Echt, Susteren and Dieteren. The area has a great variety of biotopes, from forests, meadows, fields and swamps to small and large ponds. In between flows the Middelsgraaf, dug as a drainage ditch in the 13th-14th century when the peat marshes at the foot of the plateau terrace were exploited. The Kanjelbeek also runs on the north side, a small stream that is usually dry in the summer. The lakes are so-called tile holes that were created by the clay extraction for the Echter roof tile factory De Valk between 1920 and 1960. These were dug in clay deposits in the old Maas meanders. During clay extraction, water was pumped into the surrounding streams. After the clay extraction ended, the lakes filled with groundwater and rainwater. Some of them have become land again over time or consist of swamps. Some puddles have also been filled in. Clay mining has been taking place in this area since the late Middle Ages. You make a wide turn around Echt, but you also visit the nice center of this town. Due to the beautiful landscape and the favorable location between South and Central Limburg, Echt is a popular town. Echt-Susteren is the municipality with the most foreigners in the Netherlands and is characterized by extensive nature and pleasant village centers. You cycle almost unnoticed from Germany to Belgium through vast forest areas, open landscapes, watercourses and small centers with typical buildings. Farms, monumental churches and castles provide the backdrop for interesting cycling tours.