Gravel in Midden-Limburg – Land of Grind and Sand

Cycling in Limburg is for many synonymous with cycling in South Limburg. The routes of the Amstel Gold Race, Klimclassic and the Volta Limburg Classic. With well-known names like Bemelerberg, Cauberg and the Eyserbosweg. Almost everyone with a race bike has made their first climbing kilometers in Zuid-Limburg. But the long-distance former mining province has much more to offer. Routes for gravel, for example. The platform Land of Grind and Sand, which was recently launched, has a selection of beautiful gravel routes for those who have enjoyed South Limburg on a bicycle. Today we zoom in on one of these routes, Glamour Gravel in Central Limburg, created by Leandra Bisschops.

Starting position Neer

The region of Midden-Limburg is a often forgotten region, especially when it comes to gravel paths. Soon you find yourself drawn to the eastern neighbors, or the gravel biker loses himself in the paths of the Brabant countryside. This route, which measures slightly more than 60 kilometers, begins in the town of Neer. This church village, located in Leudal, lies right along the stream and houses not only a beautiful castle (Neyenghoor) But there are also two watermills, several monasteries, and a total of four chapels. It truly is a church village. If you want to ask for blessings before your trip, you’re in the right place. The starting point is actually next to the St. Martin’s Church. Handy.

Helsingian forests

From the bottom, you head north along the river Maas towards Kessel, where you soon encounter the first beautiful gravel sections. As soon as you have left Kessel, you dive into the Heldense forests, where the crackly undergrowth greets you. Beautiful long gravel sections, where you can enjoy the surrounding nature. Along the way, you also encounter some history, such as the war memorial just before the 20 kilometer point. Shortly thereafter, you come across a beautiful wide gravel section that leads towards the Limburgish Panningen. For me, this name is always associated with amateur football.

Transitions

The 60-kilometer gravel route is not just about gravel paths. I think this is almost wishful thinking in the Netherlands, with our good infrastructure and tight cycling paths. That is why we are praised both domestically and internationally. After the beautiful gravel road, road 208, you have to go back onto the asphalt again at Panningen and Beringe. Then, at Marisberg, you can continue with beautiful, unpaved stretches. Like these below.

Helenavaart

After about 40 kilometers, you cross the Helenavaart and follow it for a considerable distance. That is a wonderful way to cycle. The Helenavaart is a total of almost 16 kilometers long and runs partly through North Brabant with the lion’s share in the province of Limburg. The canal was built in the 19th century to facilitate the drainage of the adjacent marshlands. It is quite funny that this canal runs parallel to the Deurne Canal. Eventually, it ends at the ‘Grand Canal du Nord’. On this route, you at some point ‘switch’ from the Helenavaart to the Deurne Canal and the Noordervaart. It is slowly time to head back towards Neer. A beautiful, long gravel path that almost goes all the way to Nederweert takes you through the Waterbloem area back to the starting point. Our tip: Stop for a drink or a snack at ‘Radhoes Neer’. In this former municipal building in Roggel and Neer there is now a café where you can still have a beer or in the summer also get an (artisanal) ice cream. Great!

Gravel in Midden-Limburg – Gravel route ‘Glamour Gravel’