The Maas Valley near Maaseik

This route through the Dutch-Belgian border area takes you along the River Maas through the beautiful Maas Valley. You cycle to Maaseik where the typical, planned street pattern is still reminiscent of the time the city was founded. The Maas is called Grensmaas here because it forms the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. Maaseik is located in Limburg's Maasland, the area around the Maas that consists of the Maas Valley and the Maasterranes. During your visit to Maaseik, be sure to taste the famous knapkoek: the crispy cookie for which the city is known. At Rotem you cycle past the Bichterweerd nature reserve. A lot of gravel was extracted in this area in the second half of the 20th century, creating puddles. Nowadays, these lakes are designed and managed as a nature reserve. You cross the Maas with a foot-bicycle ferry and end up in the Dutch town of Grevenbicht. You continue your way through Dutch territory, along the waterfront of the Juliana Canal. At Nattenhoven you cross the Grensmaas back into Belgium. An older motte or castle may have once stood on the site of Ter Motten Castle (also known as Termotten Castle or Dilsen Castle). The oldest known lord of the castle was mentioned in 1375. The current castle, built in Baroque style in yellow painted brick, was built in 1725. The interior still contains beautiful 18th and 19th century fireplaces, some of which are covered with Delft tiles. blue. The castle is surrounded by a park with special trees.