Blitterswijck, Arcen, Venlo

When you see where this cycle route goes, you immediately feel like cycling! You start in the nature reserve De Hamert, also known as the southern half of National Park De Maasduinen. In the soil of De Hamert, you can still find Rhine gravel, originating from the time when the Maas was still a tributary of the Rhine. Another special feature of De Hamert is that most of the parabola dunes of the National Park can be found here. These are dunes which, due to persistent westerly winds and the sand drifts that followed, have taken on the shape of a horseshoe. Some are up to 25 metres high!

De Hamert is the setting for a number of cultural monuments. One of the largest prehistoric burial mounds in the Netherlands was found here. You can also come across trenches from the Second World War. The special area is also the habitat of rare animal species, such as the smooth snake, sand lizard and, in spring and autumn, the crane.

When you leave the Maasduinen, you immediately cycle into Arcen. The castle of the same name is known for its impressive gardens. More than 15 uniquely decorated castle gardens full of beautiful flowers and plants, but also fine restaurants, discovery tours for children and a petting meadow make Arcen Castle a fun place for young and old. Not surprisingly, this excursion has been voted the best outing of Limburg six times already by the ANWB Eropuit!

Besides beautiful nature, you also cycle through interesting villages and cities. A real highlight is Venlo, one of only two Hanseatic cities in Limburg. Enjoy the characteristic buildings in the historical centre. Be sure to walk through the medieval alley the Keizerstraat and the Dominican Chapel. The village of Lomm may be small, but it has a number of interesting national monuments. The Antonius Abbot Church (16th century) and Heerenhuis De Spyker (1628) can both be found on Kapelstraat. Not far from there you can see the Sint-Barbara Chapel from 1640, which refers to the former Sint-Barbara monastery that stood in Lomm between 1450 and 1586. During the Eighty Years' War it was destroyed by State troops. A village to feast your eyes on.

With a load of splendid impressions, enjoy the view of the banks of the Meuse for a while. This North Limburg route really does have it all.