{"id":20864,"date":"2025-01-10T16:27:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=20864"},"modified":"2025-01-10T16:41:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:41:05","slug":"fietsen-op-de-grens-tussen-twee-limburgen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsen-op-de-grens-tussen-twee-limburgen","title":{"rendered":"Cycling on the border between two Limburgs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earth does not take into account arbitrary country borders. A hill can be in Belgium for 50% and the rest in the Netherlands. That doesn't matter to nature. That hill remains and whether you cycle over it from the Netherlands towards Belgium or vice versa. The hill remains the hill. The Limburg region, which is thus much wider than just Dutch South Limburg, has lots of such points. The 1843 border post project (Belgium officially became independent from the Netherlands in 1830) is the visual reminder of the arbitrary borders. It makes cycling in this region extra fun. You can cycle here on the border between two Limburgs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cycling through the Mechelse Heide - Beautiful, especially in winter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A divided street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The absurdity of national borders is best seen on Maastricht's Diependaalweg. There, the border runs down the middle of the street. Because one side falls under Dutch jurisdiction and the other under Belgian, you see funny differences. The houses on one side are typically Belgian, the other, of course, typically Dutch. I then wonder: if they did used to call each other, was it more expensive than walking out of your house and just ringing the bell? Or electricity? Or so many other utilities and practical things. Would it make sense to move to the other side for a while? The boundary post shines in the sunbeam at the beginning of the street. A beautiful sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are we in Belgium or the Netherlands now?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The famous street in Maastricht. Jelmer in the photo is driving in Belgium, I am in the Netherlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Working with what you have<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both Dutch Limburg and Belgian Limburg have a mining history. Ground mining has also taken place, making for particularly beautiful landscapes. Some examples are the Mijnterrils near Maasmechelen and the ENCI quarry near the Pietersberg in Maastricht. In Belgian Limburg, they take the relationship with these beautiful natural phenomena extra seriously. In the 'cycling through' series, you can take a closer look at the heath, forest, water and mining terrils all. Natuurmonumenten manages the ENCI quarry and you can walk in there and with the gravel bike you can get to the edge. This makes you realise for a moment that you are just a small cog in a larger whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The ENCI quarry - image: Jelmer Koekkoek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Castle lords gather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chateau Neercanne shines beautifully on the hill, just near Kanne. Coincidentally, the chateau is in the Netherlands and Kanne, in turn, is in Belgium. Wouldn't 'neercanne' just mean 'near Kanne'? Anyway, it's a beautiful chateau with a very good restaurant. Nothing for just a coffee stop. Belgian Limburg also has a crown jewel. At least, I think so. The Alden Biesen Castle<\/a>, near Bilzen is an imposing building with a beautiful garden (French and English style combined) and a fine brasserie as a point for a coffee stop. Speaking of points, the flan is definitely recommended. Vlaai? Yes because the vlai is Limburgish, so it is also from Belgium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The beautiful Alden Biesen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Good flan!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alden Biesen in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beautiful gravel paths and road cycling routes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That you can enjoy cycling in this border region is obvious. Not only because of the many events that take place there, including the Grenspalenklassieker, Limburgs Mooiste, the Amstel Gold Race, National Park Gravel, Heathland gravel, Mergelheuvelland gravel and so on. Even if you plan your own round, you can lose yourself completely in the beautiful trails on the border. Previously mentioned highlights, the 'bikes in' do focus more on e-bikers and touring cyclists, but for cyclists and gravel riders, they are certainly interesting too. Around the Pietersberg you will find beautiful gravel paths and the route of the 2024 European Gravel Championship also offers many beautiful spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Race cycling is a lot to enjoy. It is very hilly and around Bilzen, for example, you will find the Keiberg. By the way, if you sneak a look in Wallonie, you can also take the Rue de Garage above the fortress of Eben-Emaal. We share some great routes in our komoot collection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Digging through the dredge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful cycling along the Prince Albert Canal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In Belgian Limburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where can you start?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there are plenty of accommodation options in and around Maastricht to properly explore the border region. We give you a few options that could be a good fit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n