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 that seems even more important. This cycling tour leads through the National Landscape of South Limburg, an area that covers a total of 44,523 hectares. Cycling through the area, you will encounter sunken roads and see beautiful high-stem 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 organised. You find your way through the hilly landscape and then arrive at Groenendael Castle. This beautiful castle was mainly used for agricultural purposes. Only 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 did not have knightly status. Part of the wall remains of the old building have been incorporated into the masonry 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 watermill was used to grind corn. In 1871, the mill and associated house had fallen into such disrepair that they were demolished and rebuilt. A gruesome fact is that in 1939 an eighteen-year-old servant was caught by a rotating axle. His injuries were so serious that he died. In 1951, a fire broke out in the mill, which was then repaired and rebuilt again. In 1966, the mill was completely converted into a house and thus lost its function as a corn mill. Because the mill is privately inhabited, it cannot be visited. In Bemelen there is a belt mill from 1855: the Van Tienhovenmolen. What is special about this mill is that it is the only mill in the Netherlands that is largely built from marl stones. The high place where the mill was eventually built was favourable because of the wind catch. Whichever side you approach the mill from, it is always visible from far away. When you return to Auberge de Smockelaer, you can make use of our cycling arrangement: when you stay here overnight, you can also explore route 164683 that runs through the area from this location. An overnight stay ensures a relaxed, rested feeling when you explore the Limburg nature by bike. In the modern rooms you will want for nothing and on the cosy terrace a snack and a drink taste extra nice after the bike ride. You can let everything be.