The Cauberg in Limburg is known as the cycling climb for South-Netherlands. On every anniversary, the classics come again: ‘Do you have the Cauberg Ever cycled? Or the VentouxOr Alpe d'HuezCyclists and triathletes also know that the Cauberg has a few disadvantages: the climb is really short, the descent is at least dangerous to say the least, and on weekend days in the summer it’s quite crowded. Not to mention the Amstel Gold Race weekend. No, there are plenty of alternatives in that respect. Not only in the province of Limburg, but also across the border! For those who leave Maastricht and drive across the border to Belgium along the Woopy Snack fritter shop, they’re practically in the proverbial frying pan. Wallonia It has a beautiful array of alternative climbs that are just as challenging 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 where I have special memories myself. We used to go to school near Stavelot. It was a survival course, but for a posh Gymnasium. That meant staying in bungalows from a well-known chain, but we had to cook together. The shop was a 30-minute walk away. Pancakes were the simplest thing, but the purchasing manager (I said the idiot) could only make one egg, so I forgot the milk. Fortunately, our classmates were so kind as to spare some of their food. They obviously did a great job. In 2015 I went back to Stavelot and climbed the Cote de Haute-Levée myself. It was a monster climb, the only downside of which is that it runs along the highway. With almost five kilometers of 5.8 percent, it’s a insanely nice climb. But a big tip: take the Chemin d’Amermont, where you’ll find a nice hairpin bend and you can avoid the trucks. The descent towards Spa is one for the books. Straight ahead, straight ahead!
2. Côte de Wanne:
The Côte de Wanne is a favorite with many. This neighbor (or neighbor) of the Stockeu (see below) is a beautiful climb, which is also frequently included in Liège Bastennaken Luik Challenge The climb begins from Trois-Pont towards Wanne. From there, it’s a steep climb of 2.7 kilometers with a 7.1 percent incline. That’s another story entirely. The climb is challenging, but the reward is fantastic. The view over the valley at Stavelot and Trois-Pont is hard to beat. That’s not the case at the Cauberg. You get above and you’re…well, above. Here you are rewarded with a beautiful view. So enjoy. If you do the full climb (there’s a kind of pre-climb in it), it’s more than 3.5 kilometers, but then you also have a short descent. The average percentage drops to 6.1 percent. That’s a bit of a pain in the ass, starting there.
3. Mur de Huy:
A wall, it’s always something magical. The Wall of Geraardsbergen, the Wall of Hoei, the Muro di Sormano. Almost every country has a wall you can ride against. In Berlin, literally, because if you don’t ride past it, you’ll suddenly hit it head-on. Anyway, enough lame jokes. How you overcome this wall is best left to Anna van der Breggen or Alejandro Valverde. Both were the king and queen of the final climb of the Waalse Pijl for years in a row. A real feat, many describe it that way. But in terms of challenge, it’s just a little bit more beautiful than the Cauberg. Only 1300 meters, but almost 10 percent average. Go for it.
4. Côte de Stockeu:
Eddy Merckx Fans, pay attention! If you’re in Stavelot, the climb up the Stockeu should definitely be on your route. Why? Well, because of the monument to ‘the Cannibal’, about halfway through the total climb. Because hold on. The climb is 2.2 kilometers long, at an average of just under 10 percent. However, the trick lies in the first kilometer, because that’s where you’ll be presented with a painful 20 percent maximum. The very first time I did this climb, my foot was on the floor. The Mountain High Chasers would have turned around, but I thought it would have been nice. Putting my foot back on the ground and trying to get going. What a misery. Eddy greeted me cheerfully, about 1100 meters down the road. A photo is allowed here, although you then have to climb another 1100 meters. Those don’t go any lower than five percent. On top, you’ll be glad you can breathe for a moment. But that this climb is cool (and therefore more beautiful than the Cauberg) is clear.
5. Col du Rosier:
From the spa resort of Spa, where one can only really think of motor racing now, this is the training climb in the area. What a wonderful climb this is. It is long, almost four and a half kilometers. That is a serious mountain for BeNeLux standards. In that four and a half kilometers there are a few serious hairpin bends. You have to take a detour through Spa and then you come to a street called ‘Rue de Barisart’. Then you drive out of the town and the enjoyment begins. Don’t forget to look every now and then. In the forest you can almost forget about the world and once you’re up there everything opens up again with a (risky) descent.
6. Col du Maquisard:
The gentlemen and ladies of Le Coffee Ride will admit that Stavelot is the ‘hotspot’ in this region. There are so many beautiful alternatives to the Cauberg right at your feet. Have you tried the Haute Levee, Stockeu, Wanne, Amermont and all the other alternatives? Then climb the Col du Maquisard. It’s great, with five percent gradient for two and a half kilometers. That really doesn’t hurt, you can train well.
7. Côte de la Redoute:
The almighty Redoute. Philippe Gilbert can tell you all about it. Not only is this the hill with the most race stories, but it is also the hill with the most ‘Phil’ written on it. Local hero Gilbert could draw strength from it. The battle was fought on the Redoute in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Frank Vandenbroucke liked to ride there. In Aywaille the misery begins. Many will enjoy a little bit of courage at the eponymous brewery, because in two kilometers you blast into the air. At an average of nine percent, it is difficult to feel like ‘Gilbert’, ‘Van der Breggen’ or ‘VDB’ again.
8. Col du Rideux:
Don’t you want to drive ‘all the way’ to Spa or Stavelot? Then you can already be on your way from Liège. In fact, on our Micro Adventure in the Ardennes, We also mainly rode just across the border. A climb that is unknown to many – the Col du Rideux near Ferrières. Here again you are treated to more than four kilometers of climbing at just under six percent. There is little traffic here. And you are treated to beautiful views. Start your ride in Liège or possibly Visé and mark the Rideu as the finish point and you can enjoy the Redoute, Sprimont and back again. Great, right?
9. Côte de Saint-Roch:
You haven’t been to the Ardennes if you haven’t visited Houffalize. Once Ronald Giphart wrote about Houffalize in one of his novels, GIPH. I found it a somewhat difficult concept at the time. Maybe it’s also due to the somewhat ‘graphic content’ in Giphart’s books. Still, the Côte de Saint-Roch is a gem, which certainly rivals the Cauberg in terms of beauty and challenge. Because here you cover almost DOUBLE the vertical distance in an equal distance of 1200 meters. If you then compare it, there is no comparison. Although, that’s HITTING it, up the hill. That’s one thing that is for sure. For everyone a challenge. Turn on the good resistance on your bike when you go there. But then you might never want to go any other way again. After that, you’ve earned a Chouffe from the local brewery.
10. Col de Haussire
Everyone knows La Roche-en-Ardenne. Or at least, if you ever hesitated about taking part in the Velomediane Criquelion (also known as ‘the Kriek’). Then La Roche is etched in your memory. This town on the water not only hosts some great lunch stops, but also one of the more challenging climbs in this region. The Haussire, where you can really go all out. At least, if you take the difficult variant. I once cycled the Sean Kelly Classic and also rode through La Roche. I knew the difficulty level of the Haussire, so I had already dialed back. But then, we did the ‘easy variant’. If you take the southern variant, you skip the extremely steep section right in the middle of the town. I would do it, because no one gets really happy about steep climbs.
Conclusion: The Ardennes in Wallonia offer cyclists a wealth of challenging climbs that rival the Cauberg in Limburg. Whether you’re looking for steep challenges or scenic routes, the Ardennes has something for everyone. So, hop on your bike and explore this beautiful region full of breathtaking climbs and breathtaking views. With our 10 Alternatives to the Cauberg in the Walloon Ardennes, you’ll come a long way!
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