The Cauberg in Limburg is known as the cycling climb for the southern Netherlands. On every birthday, the classics come up again: 'have you seen the Cauberg ever cycled? Or the Ventoux? Or Alpe d'Huez? Cyclists and cyclists also know that the Cauberg has a few drawbacks: the climb is really short, the descent is dangerous to say the least and on weekend days in summer it is quite crowded. Not to mention the Amstel Gold Race weekend. No, as far as that is concerned, there are plenty of alternatives. Not only in the province of Limburg, but also just across the border! For those who leave Maastricht behind and drive past chip shop Woopy Snack into the Belgian countryside, are in for a treat. Wallonia has a wonderful range of alternative climbs that are just as, or even more challenging than the Cauberg. In this article, we take you to the green hills and forests of the Ardennes, with 10 great alternatives to the Cauberg in Limburg.
Text: Sander Kolsloot, photos: Adobe stock/Ruben Hoogland/Rik de Voogd
1. Côte de la Haute-Levée:
Stavelot, a place I have special memories of myself. We were once at school near Stavelot. Survival, but for a fancy Gymnasium. That meant staying in bungalows of a well-known chain, but we had to cook together. The shop was 30′ walk away. Pancakes were the simplest, but shef procurement (I said the fool) could only fry an egg and so I forgot the milk. Fortunately, our neighbouring classmates were kind enough to spare some from their mouths. Needless to say, they were well off. Back in 2015, I went back to Stavelot and climbed the Cote de Haute-Levée myself. A monster climb, whose only disadvantage is that it runs alongside the motorway. With almost five kilometres at 5.8 per cent, it is an insanely tasty climb. But big tip: take the Chemin d'Amermont, where you will find a nice hairpin bend and avoid the trucks. The descent towards Spa is one for the books. Straightforward, straightforward!
2. Côte de Wanne:
The Côte de Wanne is a favourite of many. This neighbour (or neighbour) of the Stockeu (see below) is a beautiful climb, which is also many a time in Liege Bastogne Liege Challenge is run. From Trois-Pont towards Wanne and from there it's a hefty climb, of 2.7 kilometres with a gradient of 7.1 per cent. That's a different kettle of fish. The climb is challenging, but the reward is fantastic. The views over the valley at Stavelot and Trois-Pont are hard to top. They don't have that at the Cauberg. Then you get to the top and stand...yes, at the top. Here you are rewarded with a beautiful picture. So enjoy. If you do the full ekli (there's a sort of pre-climb in there) it's over 3.5 kilometres, but then you also have a small bit of descent. The average percentage then drops to 6.1 per cent. Nonsense, who starts talking about that.
3. Mur de Huy:
A wall, it's always something magical. The Wall of Geraardsbergen, the Wall of Huy, the Muro di Sormano. Almost every country has a wall you can cycle against. In Berlin, literally, because if you don't ride past it, you crash into it. Anyway, enough silly jokes. How to conquer this wall is best asked to Anna van der Breggen or Alejandro Valverde. Both were rulers and ruled on the final climb of the Flèche Wallonne for years in a row. A pockmark, that's how many also describe it. But in terms of challenge, just a bit nicer than the Cauberg. 1300 metres only, but almost 10 per cent average. Go figure.
4. Côte de Stockeu:
Eddy Merckx Fans beware! Because if you are in Stavelot, the ascent of the Stockeu should not be missing from your itinerary. Why? Well, because of the monument to 'the Cannibal', about halfway up the total climb. Because hold on. The climb is 2.2 kilometres long, at an average of just under 10 per cent. However, the devil is in the first kilometre, because there you get a painful 20 per cent maximum. The very first time I did this climb, the footing went down. The Mountain High Chasers would have turned around, but I thought it was fine. Foot clicked in again and tried to get going. What a misery. Eddy smiled happily at me, some 1100 metres on the way. A photo is allowed here, although after that you still have to climb 1100 metres. Those don't go at less than five per cent either. At the top, you're glad you can take a breather. But that this climb is cool (and thus more beautiful than the Cauberg) is obvious.
5. Col du Rosier:
From spa town Spa, where people now really only think about car racing, this is the training climb of the area. What a wonderful climb this is. It is long, almost four-and-a-half kilometres. That's a serious mountain by BeNeLux standards. There are some serious hairpin turns in those four-and-a-half kilometres. You have to pass through Spa and then you come to a street called 'Rue de Barisart'. Then you drive right out of the town and the enjoyment begins. Don't forget to look back from time to time. In the forest, you imagine yourself away from the world for a while and once at the top, everything opens up again with a (risky) descent.
6. Col du Maquisard:
The gentlemen and ladies of Le Coffee Ride will agree that Stavelot is the 'hotspot' in this region. So many beautiful alternatives to the Cauberg are at your feet here. Have you had the Haute Levee, Stockeu, Wanne, Amermont and all the other alternatives? Then head up the Col du Maquisard. Nice to be able to climb two-and-a-half kilometres at five per cent wide. That actually just barely hurts, you can train well
7. Côte de la Redoute:
The allmighty Redoute. Philippe Gilbert can tell you all about it. Not only is this the hill with the most racing stories, but also the hill with the most times 'Phil' written on the road. Local hero Gilbert could draw strength from it. On the Redoute, the battle was and still is fought in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Frank Vandenbroucke liked to ride there. In Aywaille, the misery begins. Many will like to take a bit of courage at the brewery of the same name, because in two kilometres you'll pop into the air. At nine per cent average, it's hard to feel like 'Gilbert', 'Van der Breggen' or 'VDB' again for a moment.
8. Col du Rideux:
Don't want to drive 'all the way' to Spa or Stavelot? Then you can also be quite on your way from Liège. Indeed, on our Micro Adventure in the Ardennes, we also rode mainly just over the border. A climb unknown to many, the Col du Rideux near Ferrières. Again, you are treated to more than four kilometres of climbing at less than six per cent. You have little traffic here. and you will be treated to beautiful views. Start your ride in Liège or possibly Visé and stick the Rideu as the furthest point and you can enjoy via the Redoute, Sprimont and back again. Top right?
9. Côte de Saint-Roch:
You haven't been to the Ardennes if you haven't gone to Houffalize. Once Ronald Giphart wrote about Houffalize in one of his novels, GIPH. At the time, I found it a somewhat awkward concept. Perhaps that is also because of the otherwise somewhat 'graphic content' in Giphart's books. Still, the Côte de Saint-Roch is a gem, definitely competing with the Cauberg for beauty and challenge. Because here you gain almost DOUBLE as many altimeters in an equal distance, 1200 metres. ALs you may then compare, there is no comparison. Although, although it will be HARKEN, upwards. That's one thing for sure. A challenge for everyone. Turn the right gear on your bike when you go up here. But after that, you may never want to do anything else. Afterwards, you will have earned a Chouffe, from the local brewery.
10. Col de Haussire
Everyone knows La Roche-en-Ardenne. Or at least, if you have ever hesitated to participate in the Velomediane Criquelion (aka 'the Kriek'). If so, La Roche will be in your memory. This waterfront town not only houses some good lunch stops, but also one of the more challenging climbs in this region. The Haussire, where you can really go to pieces. At least, if you take the difficult variant. I once cycled the Sean Kelly Classic and also turned into La Roche. I knew about the difficulty of the Haussire, so I had already downshifted. But yes, then we rode the 'easy variant'. If you take the south variant, you skip the extremely steep section in the middle of the town. I would do it, because steep there doesn't make anyone REALLY happy.
Conclusion: The Ardennes in Wallonia offer cyclists a wealth of challenging climbs that dwarf the Cauberg in Limburg. Whether you are looking for steep challenges or scenic routes, the Ardennes have something for everyone. So, get on your bike and explore this beautiful region full of breathtaking climbs and breathtaking views. With our 10 Alternatives in the Walloon Ardennes better than the Cauberg, you'll come a long way!
