Valkenburg Castle Route: Schaloen, Sint Gerlach and Hoensbroek

Your route starts at Camping Valkenburg - Maastricht. The rectangular Schaloen Castle was built of marl and originally dates from the 14th century. In 1894, the castle was thoroughly restored in neo-Gothic style by architect Pierre Cuypers. The Schaloensmolen was a ban mill, where local residents were obliged to have their grain milled. The mill took its current form in 1700. Then you cycle through Ingendael: a wonderfully quiet nature reserve with flower-rich grasslands through which the Geul meanders. You have a beautiful view of Sint Gerlach Castle. Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest castles in the Netherlands. There was a motte on this site as early as around 1225. Due to its strategic location between Maastricht, Aachen and Cologne, this original castle developed into the largest castle between the Maas and the Rhine.