Be enchanted by the marl country

The border region between the Netherlands and Belgium has lots of greenery and rolling hills, where you can train your calf muscles. The reward is great when you cycle back down and see cute villages approaching faster and faster. It is therefore wonderful to plan a cycling weekend and visit the southernmost part of our country, so that you can enjoy nature and beautiful historical showpieces. Near the start in the parking lot, you can view the Commanderie. This is a former commandery of the Teutonic Order, which was donated by Daniël van Voeren in 1242 when he moved there. The castle was the commandery of Alden Bielden, where the commander resided. The complex consists of a main building, a farm, stables and a gatehouse. The oldest part of the fortress is the L-shaped wing, topped by a tower. A number of ponds were added to the original ring moats around the castle in 1885. Trout, sturgeon and eel were, and still are, bred here. The Meschermolen is located on the edge of the Netherlands, just a few hundred meters from the border. This overshot water mill from 1699 was used as a flour mill and it is the first water mill on the Voer stream. The mill served for centuries and was only closed down in the early 1950s. The mill was then no longer needed, because an electric hammer mill was installed in the village. The mill was restored between 1996 and 1998 and made ready for grinding again. The mill can be visited by appointment. Then you cycle to Eijsden Castle, which is also called'de Borg\\\' or'Laag Caestertburg\\\'. The current castle was built in 1636, rebuilt in 1767 and then restored. This national monument consists of two wings standing at right angles to each other, both of which have a heavy corner tower on the outside. The whole is surrounded by a moat and the castle has a gatehouse with a forecourt. The park, built in 1900, is freely accessible. Another mill that you will encounter during your bike ride is the Eijsden Grain Mill. This water mill was built in 1857. This mill, which was used as a flour mill, replaces its predecessor that was built in 1788. One of the three couples present can be driven electrically so that the mill could also run at low tide. The mill was in use until the early 1950s and then fell into disrepair. The mill was last restored in 1975 but is no longer used. Mheer Castle is the last sight of the tour, in the picturesque village of the same name with a historic center. The castle has four wings and a U-shaped lower court. The small courtyard within the four wings is accessible via a walkway over a dry canal. The west wing is the oldest part of the castle; this part of the castle was built in the early fourteenth century. The north wing was built at the end of the same century and the east wing, which has a robust round tower on top, dates from the fifteenth century. The tower was built on foundations from the late eleventh century. The south wing was built around 1570 and the current castle was complete. Above the entrance gate of the outer bailey you will see a bluestone mezekouw. Mheer Castle is the only castle in the Netherlands with a so-called pitch nose. When you return to Holiday Home Clermontshof, we advise you to book a stay so that you can really get away for a few days. The inviting buildings you stay in are protected for their historic value. When you climb a hill on the family estate, you can treat yourself to a breathtaking view of the picturesque village of Remersdael. It is also fun to get to know the associated family dairy farm and milk a cow yourself. Or you can get on your bike again to cycle route 171788, which forms an arrangement together with today's route.