Cycling through beautiful Limburg

Cycling through Limburg means cycling over hills, to peaks and valleys, from one striking place in history to the next location seems even more important. This cycle tour leads through the South Limburg National Landscape, an area covering a total of 44,523 hectares. Cycling through the area you will find sunken roads and beautiful standard orchards. It is a landscape full of half-timbered farms, chapels and crucifixes, and cultural history plays an important role: processions and shooting festivals are regularly organized. You make your way through the hilly landscape and then arrive at Groenendael Castle. This beautiful castle was mainly used for agricultural purposes. Only the foundations of the original building from 1775 remain, because the building was demolished in 1921. Originally it was not really a castle but more of a fortified, moated house. It therefore had no knight status. Some of the wall remains of the old building have been incorporated into the wall of the new house. The Groenendaalsmolen is a beautiful watermill that is also called Groenendalsmolen. The mill, which grinds on the water of the Gulp near Euverem, originally belonged to Groenendaal Castle. The exact year of construction is unknown, but what we do know is that the water mill was used to grind corn. In 1871 the mill and associated house had become so dilapidated that they were demolished and rebuilt. A grim fact is that in 1939 an eighteen-year-old maid was grabbed by a rotating axle. His injuries were so serious that he died. In 1951, a fire broke out in the mill, which was subsequently repaired and rebuilt. The mill was completely converted into a house in 1966, thus losing its function as a flour mill. Because the mill is privately inhabited, it cannot be visited. In Bemelen there is a belt mill from 1855: the Van Tienhoven mill. What is special about this mill is that it is the only mill in the Netherlands that is largely constructed from marl stones. The high place where the mill was ultimately built was favorable because of the wind catch. Whichever side you approach the mill from, it is always visible from afar. When you return to Auberge de Smockelaer, you can use our cycling package: if you spend the night here you can also explore route 164683, which goes through the area from this location. An overnight stay provides a relaxed, rested feeling when you explore Limburg's nature by bike. In the modern rooms you will lack nothing and on the cozy terrace a snack and a drink after the bike ride will taste extra delicious. You can relax there in a relaxed way.