Vaals, Simpelveld, Voerendaal

Cycle along ancient tracks, past peaceful chapels, mysterious castles, and places where Romans once marched in their sandals. This route brings together Catholic heritage and major archaeological sites.

You start in Vaals, right on the edge of the Netherlands. Tucked away in the greenery, you’ll find the impressive Abbey of St. Benedictusberg. But there’s another layer to Vaals too: during excavations, copper coins were found here. These coins date back to the time when Mr Von Clermont had a big influence on the town’s development.

Next, you pedal towards Lemiers, where the charming Castle Oud Lemiers and the peaceful Catharina Chapel are waiting for you. The chapel has Romanesque roots. It really feels like time has stood still here.

You wind your way further to Simpelveld, where the theme of this route becomes even clearer. At the Lourdes Grotto, candles flicker in the shadow of the monastery. And in the town centre, a rare Roman sarcophagus was discovered during mining work.

From there, you head towards Voerendaal, where archaeologists found traces of an entire settlement. Beneath the church lie the foundations of the old medieval village. Nearby, you’ll find the picturesque Castle Cortenbach. In the distance, the Gulperberg rises, crowned with the iconic Mary Monument. From the top, the views over the Heuvelland are amazing.

And to wrap it all up, you’ll visit one of the most important archaeological sites in the Netherlands in Klimmen, where remains were found of the largest Roman villa rustica ever discovered on Dutch soil.