Anyone who thinks of Limburg often thinks of the Cauberg And the Keutenberg. But for those who enjoy gravel, a completely different world awaits in the south of the province. Gravel in Zuid-Limburg It means the characteristic ‘empty roads’, the famous rolling plateaus, classic Limburg climbs and surprising singletracks. Of course, interspersed with the typical Limburg villages, fruit orchards and fritjuleen! It’s a paradise for gravel bikers, especially if you think that South Limburg is only meant for the race bike.
In this story, Erwin (from the Mountain High Chasers and our ‘Classic rides‘) and Jetze takes you along the most beautiful gravel routes in Zuid-Limburg. Together, they explore a number of beautiful routes, which will make you look at the region in a different way. Routes that make graveling in this region so special. Forget the hustle and bustle of the Cauberg: here you will find the tranquility that everyone wants combined with challenging climbs and yet that one Kodak photo moment. Are you ready? Discover why graveling in Zuid-Limburg The new hit is for autumn. Not for nothing was this the venue for the 2025 gravel World Championships. Are you heading to Zuid-Limburg for a beautiful gravel adventure as well?
Text: Erwin Reijneveld Photos: Erwin Reijneveld and Jetze van der Veen
The Amstel Gold Race tour version, the Mergelheuvelland 2-day race, nine times Limburg’s Most Beautiful, three holidays and countless solo cycling days have left their mark. A purple trail in this case. My personal heatmap on Strava almost colors every road in South Limburg purple. You could say that this region has been played out. But South Limburg didn’t surprise anymore; it never bored me either. But this played out game turns out to have a hidden level in gravel. This crumbly surface has been laid here in abundance to cater to the gravel bike craze. 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 surprised.
Mechelen and its surroundings
With less than two hours drive from Utrecht, we arrive in Mechelen. The lovely Airbnb house is located right in the center. The local supermarket is tucked away in a residential building; we’ll be going in another time. “Don’t squeeze me (we squeeze back)” reads the sign next to the fruit and bread. The cashier talks about things a hairdresser could learn from. After lunch, we set off on a 80-kilometer bike ride, mostly on gravel. The sun is shining and lighting up the autumn-colored Limburg countryside.
My buddy prepared the routes, so my orientation was a tough day. Every time I recognize a restaurant or village, we head down an unfamiliar path. The climax was the Camerig climb, an ascent we would have come a long way with our eyes closed. But a nice loop surprisingly takes us to a path that ends near Buitenlust. Where had we been all these years? To have some kind of sense of direction, we had some coffee and pie there.
And off again on unpaved roads
On day two we ask for more and more. More kilometers, more technology, more holes and more surprisingly large stones in surprisingly fast descents. We also get more of that in the form of flat tires. Four for the inner-tube rider and zero for the tubeless rider. The tip seems to be given here. This route goes through most of Belgium and the idea of this part of the route makes you wonder why a bike that looks so much like a race bike can be on paths that look so much like mountain bike trails. We keep asking ourselves how it is possible that a bike that looks so much like a race bike can be on paths that look so much like mountain bike trails.
Maybe you should, on your gravel bike, just accept these loops for what they are. Because, on day three, the feeling of Friday returns. Today we stay in Limburg and that is noticeable both in the bike and the cyclist. Long empty stretches over hilltops, suddenly over the busy market in Valkenburg, through a beautiful forest on the flanks of the Cauberg and right past the limestone walls near Bemelen; what a wonderful ride!
Away from the pavement
The cyclist is not exactly the national mascot. Too often the misunderstanding between cyclists and non-cyclists is visible, right up to the point of collision. How different it is in Zuid-Limburg. Where we are literally off the beaten track. We hardly encounter anyone. If we do encounter someone, it is in harmony. Admittedly, our mood is in good spirits and we approach the other person with a calm pace, a smile and a thank you, but we only meet people well.
A breath of fresh air!
Sticking together
With the gravel trial we experienced a different world in the same Limburg. The surroundings continue to evoke a holiday feeling, now even more enhanced by the tranquility and expanse of the gravel paths. With the tried-and-tested restaurants always within reach. And that’s because we’ve known that for a long time, so close to home. In short, the tubless 40 mm tires will often be worn over the A2 towards the south.
Overnighting tips for your gravel adventure
Do you go gravel biking around Valkenburg or in Zuid-Limburg? Of course, you can book an AirBnB or you can book a cottage at Landal Kasteeldomein de Cauberg.
If you (with sunny weather) are looking for a spot in nature near Valkenburg, you can also Camping Valkenburg-Maastricht (from Huttopia) You can choose to stay there with your tent, campervan or caravan, but there are also fixed accommodations (cottages/chalets/glamping tents) where you only need to bring your bike and clothes. Right in the vicinity of Valkenburg, so ideal!
Gravel routes in Zuid-Limburg
Below you will find four awesome gravel routes in Zuid-Limburg. One of the routes is the training route for the Gravel World Championships.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.