Those who think of Limburg often think of the Cauberg and the Keutenberg. But for those who love gravel, a completely different world awaits in the south of the province. Gravel in South Limburg means the characteristic 'hollow roads', the well-known rolling plateaus, classic Limburg climbs and surprising single tracks. Of course, interspersed with typical Limburg villages, fruit orchards and flan! It is a paradise for gravel bikers, especially if you think South Limburg is only meant for road bikes.
In this story, Erwin (of Mountain High Chasers and our column 'classic rides') and Jetze take you along the most beautiful gravel routes in South Limburg. Together, they explore some wonderful routes that will make you look at the region differently. Routes that make gravelling in this region so special. Forget the hustle and bustle of the Cauberg: here you will find the peace everyone wants combined with challenging climbs and still that one kodak photo opportunity. Are you ready? Discover why gravels in South Limburg is the new hit for autumn. Not for nothing will the World Gravel Championships start here in 2025. Are you also heading to South Limburg for a nice gravel adventure?
Text: Erwin Reijneveld Photos: Erwin Reijneveld and Jetze van der Veen
The Amstel Gold Race tour version, the Mergelheuvelland 2daagse, nine times Limburgs Mooiste, tig holidays and countless single cycling days have left their mark. A purple trail in this case. My personal heatmap on Strava shows almost every little road in South Limburg coloured purple. This region I have played out you could say. Although South Limburg no longer surprised me, it never bored me either. But this finished game turns out to have another hidden level with gravel. This crackling surface has simply been laid out here in abundance to cater to the gravelbike hype. Or it was already there, that's also possible. Of course, I could have known this, but cycling is also about allowing yourself to be amazed.
Mechelen, and surroundings
With less than a two-hour drive from Utrecht, we arrived in Mechelen. The lovely Airbnb house is right in the centre. The local supermarket is tucked away in a residential house; we step into it another time. "Don't pinch me (we pinch back)" reads fruit and bread. The cashier makes small talk a hairdresser could learn from. After lunch, we get on our bikes for 80 kilometres, with mostly gravel. The sun smiles at us, illuminating autumn-coloured Limburg.
My buddy has prepared the routes, so my orientation has a tough day. Every time I recognise a little restaurant or village, we turn onto another unfamiliar path. Topped by the Camerig, a climb where, with eyes closed, we would get quite a bit. But a nice little loop takes us surprisingly to a little road that leads right to Buitenlust. Where was that all these years? To still have a bit of footing, we take a familiar coffee and flan there.
And unpaved again
On day two, we ask for more of everything. More kilometres, more technique, more holes and more surprisingly big rocks in surprisingly fast descents. We also get more in return, in the form of punctures. Four for the inner tube rider and zero for the tubeless rider. The tip, it seems to me, is hereby given. This route goes largely through Belgium e the sentences above refer to that part of the route. How it is still possible that a bike that looks so much like a road bike can go over such trails that look so much like trails purely for mountain biking, we wonder more and more.
Perhaps, on your gravel bike, you should also be fine with these loops. Because, on day three, the feeling of Friday is back. We stay in Limburg today and bike and cyclist notice it. Long empty stretches over hillsides, suddenly over the busy market square of Valkenburg, between mountain bikers (of the Bart Brentjens Challenge) through a beautiful forest on the flanks of the Cauberg and right along the marl walls near Bemelen; what a wonderful ride!
Away from the pavement
The cyclist is not exactly the national pet bear. Too often the lack of understanding between cyclist and non-cyclist is visible, right up to collision. How different is the gravelling in South Limburg. Where we are literally away from the pavement. We meet hardly anyone. If we meet anyone at all, it is in harmony. Granted, our mood is right and we approach the other person with a gentle pace, smile and a thank you, but we only meet well.
A breath of fresh air!
Blijvertje
Gravelling gave us a three-day taste of another world in the same Limburg. The surroundings continue to evoke a holiday feeling, now enhanced even more by the peace and vastness of the gravel paths. With the tried-and-tested hospitality industry always within reach. And that, as we have known for some time, so close to home. In short, the tubless 40 mm tyres will often still be carried down the A2 towards the south.
Accommodation tips for your gravel adventure
Do you go gravelling around Valkenburg or in southern Limburg? Of course, you can then book an AirBnB or you can book a cottage at Landal Kasteeldomein de Cauberg.
Should you seek (with sunny weather) a spot in nature, near Valkenburg, you can also CityKamp Valkenburg (from Huttopia). Not only can you go there with your tent or camper van or caravan, but there are also permanent accommodations (cottages/chalets/glamping tents) where you only need to bring your bike and clothes. Close to Valkenburg, ideal!
Gravel routes in South Limburg
Below are four cool gravel routes in South Limburg. One of the routes is the training route for the gravel World Cup
