Cycling route South Limburg - 75 years of liberation route

Explore the Limburg hills
In this area you can enjoy the beautiful green hilly landscape that South Limburg is known for. Sometimes it is a steep climb on your two-wheeler, but the views you get in return are absolutely worth it.

From Margraten you first cycle south along Banholt, Mheer and Noorbeek. The route takes you through the beautiful Belgian Voeren, after which you end up in the southernmost village of the Netherlands: Mesch. From here you cycle along the impressive Heuvelland back to Margraten, where you start the northern loop towards Schimmert, Valkenburg, Genhout, Spaubeek, Neerbeek, Beek. Finally you cycle back via Genhout and Hulsberg towards Valkenburg, after which the route brings you back to the starting point in Margraten.

White crosses as far as the eye can see

The starting point of the route is the American cemetery in Margraten.
More than 8,000 soldiers have been given their final resting place here after they died in the war. The seemingly endless rows of white crosses are incredibly impressive to see. Take your time to look around here at your leisure and absorb all the impressions.

Mesch: the first liberated village in the Netherlands
The route then takes you to the area south of Margraten. You cycle a bit through Belgium and through the southernmost village in the Netherlands: Mesch. This picturesque church village was the first to be liberated in the Second World War. In addition, some people will recognize the church and the surroundings of Mesch from the well-known TV series 'Dagboek van een Herdershond'. The Sint-Pancratiuskerk is partly 9th century and the oldest stone building in the Netherlands.

Witnessing the war
In Beek you will find the War Museum Eyewitness Beek. In this museum you will become an eyewitness of the Second World War by means of lifelike dioramas with films, photos and sound effects. Also, all kinds of attributes from the war period are exhibited here. A real must-see if you want to learn more about this part of history.

You can park and start at the Amerikaplein in Margraten.

Click here for more information about this cycle route.

Junction list: 70-71-82-81-430-431-100-80-72-71-70-67-68-60-40-61-63-20-21-22-12-37-114-113-22-13-98-95-94-62-35-90-56-36-59-39-60-68-69-70

You can also choose to divide the route into two day trips, namely the long northern loop of approximately 63 kilometers and the shorter southern loop of approximately 31 kilometers.

Junction list of the long northern loop: 70-67-68-60-40-61-63-20-21-22-12-37-114-113-22-13-98-95-94-62-35-90-56-36-59-39-60-68-69-70

Junction list of the short southern loop: 70-71-82-81-430-431-100-80-72-71-70

If you have any comments about the route, you can report them via routepunt@visitzuidlimburg.nl.

A complete cycle junction map with all South Limburg junctions in this region can easily be ordered via www.visitzuidlimburg.nl/webshop .