Roermond, Sint Odiliënberg, Vlodrop

The Maasplassen are the many large and small lakes around the river Maas. The lakes were created by gravel excavation, but are now used for recreation. Water sports enthusiasts are in their element here! You can swim, surf, sail, dive, row, canoe, kayak, water ski and wakeboard. The day beaches offer a wonderful place to rest along the water. Would you like to discover every corner of the Maasplassen? Then a trip with a tour boat is highly recommended. But the lakes are also great for just cycling along. It is a beautiful area where there is always something to do!

Time to move inland and discover idyllic Limburg villages. In Sint Odiliënberg, there is a large basilica on the edge of the river Roer. The basilica is often visited by hikers of the Pieterpad. From here, we follow the Roer and cycle via the river valley, Vlodrop and the medieval Gitstappermolen into the National Park De Meinweg. This nature park has a large variety of landscapes, which also provides a collection of unique flora and fauna that live here.

There is only one Nature Park De Meinweg, because it is the only area in the Netherlands with the so-called 'terraced landscape'. Millions of years ago, the Rhine and Meuse rivers flowed through this area. By erosion of their river sediments, and shifts in the earth's crust, the typical landscape of De Meinweg came into being. The different heights show where the rivers used to flow. Between the three terraces there is a total difference in height of 50 metres, so the transitions are very steep. The Boschbeek and the Rhoode Beek flow through the area and have their stream valleys in the middle of the terraces. The varied nature is the habitat of wild boar, moor frogs, salamanders and vipers, among others.

Tip: If you first come by car, you can park close to junction 56 on Parking Venhof.
Tip: Visit the peninsula Oolderhuuske in the middle of the Maasplassen. You can take the ferry across at junction 92 from April to October. Look for the sailing times on: https://www.oolderhuuske.nl/veerpont