If you are looking for great hikes in the region of Limburg, in the Netherlands, you are in the right spot. Limburg and especially South Limburg, is a region full of hills (Heuvelland) and is a destination for hiking, especially for Dutch people, but also for people who look for sport and outdoor experiences.
You can choose between different kind of walks/hikes, if you look for a city walk or a more difficult hike in the nature with ascent. So here you find the best hiking trails in Limburg, Netherlands.
Having walked along 100+ hiking trails in the region, here you find the ones that were more scenic and spectacular.
For this reason I divided the hiking trails in the following sections (this is not a chart but a list):
CITY WALKS
Let´s start from the city walks: besides the nice hill region, Limburg has beautiful cities like the capital Maastricht or Valkenburg. However, two of the best city walks involve the same Maastricht and the border town of Vaals with a walk that reaches the famous Drielandenpunt (Three lands point).
City walk Maastricht
Maastricht is the capital of the region and is also one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. In this approximately 4 km long walking tour you will see the most important places of the city with some hidden spots too. By clicking on the link above you will find a map and discover some of the places here, between historical spots, impressive basilicas, parks and medieval gates and ramparts.
Historical walk Vaals
Vaals is a border town located on the south-eastern Limburg. In this nice 6,2 km walk you will reach the Drielandenpunt (Three lands point), where Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet, the Vaalserberg, the highest point of the Netherlands, but also you will discover a nice historical centre with some nice landmarks such as Von Clermont House and Bloemendal Castle. You will cross also the woods and finally get to the Drielandenpunt by following an initial steep ascent. You can also then climb the 50 meters high King Boudewijn Tower and enjoy the seesight.
NATURE WALKS – easy difficulty
The easy walks are basically hikes that are suitable for all people, with minimum difference in elevation. They do not require a particular training and can be done by anyone.
Geul and St. Gerlach Castle Valkenburg Va15
This 4,3 km long walk goes along the Geul river between Houthem and Valkenburg, showing you beautiful waters sights, caves and also amazing views over the Geul valley. You will reach also the beautiful St. Gerlach Castle, where you can see the garden with amazing artistic sculptures.
Elevation; 34 meters; Best time: Jan – Dec; Recommended equipment: hiking/training shoes & hiking apparel
Pungelroute Landgraaf LA02
Another 4,3 km long route is located between Kerkrade and Landgraaf and will take you to walk in the beautiful natural reserve Strijthagenbeekdal, a nice forest where the Strijthagenbeek canal flows. You will also walk around the artificial Wilhelminaberg to get to the Strijthagen Castle, surrounded by artistic sculptures too (Artland).
Elevation; 48 meters; Best time: Jan – Dec; Recommended equipment: hiking/training shoes & hiking apparel
Wandelroute Sl1 – Gulpen-Wittem – Slenaken
From my point of view the most spectacular and scenic hiking route you may find in Limburg. From the village of Heijenrath you walk in the beautiful Bovenste bos (forest) and at some point you will enjoy the incredible landscape of the most beautiful Limburg hills. It is a bit longer than the other easy routes (7,1 km) and has a steep ascent on thw way back, but the sights are amazing.
Elevation; 64 meters; Best time: Jan – Dec; Recommended equipment: hiking/training shoes & hiking apparel
Molenplas circular walk
Another walking tour that I recommend you is the Molenpas circular walk. This is ideal for nature lovers as you have the opportunity to do some birdwatching, see some Galloway cows or Konik horses. You will cross the stoned Molenplas bridge over the Old Meuse river, have a coffee at the Hompesche windmill and even see the prehistoric Boommonument (tree monument), that was created by using trees that were buried about 1500-2000 years ago and resumed by the gravel extraction.
Elevation; 7 meters; Best time: Mar- Oct; Recommended equipment: waterproof hiking/training shoes & hiking apparel
NATURE WALKS – medium difficulty
Medium difficulty walks require a minimum training as they can have some different terrain, longer length and higher elevation.
Route Bemelen – Groeve Rooth Caves
This is a beautiful route that will take you to some really geological and natural places. You will climb the steep Bemelerberg to enjoy a beautiful landscape of the Meuse valley, walk to see the caves of Gasthuis and Nevenkoelenbosch. You will walk in the nice town of Bemelen, see the cave with the Chapel of Mary and then reach the beautiful geological monuments of Koeberg and Schiepergsgroeve with their impressive natural theaters. And finally you will see the other quarry, the Groeve ´t-Rooth. Route recommended for adventure seekers.
Length: 10,3 km; Elevation; 128 meters; Best time: Mar- Oct; Recommended equipment: waterproof hiking shoes & hiking apparel
Plateau de Castaert caves route
This is an adventurous route that start in Maastricht close to the Chalet D´n Observant where you can see the beautiful ENCI quarry and then you will soon cross the border with Belgium. In this spectacular route, you will become an authentic adventurer/explorer and access the Lost Valley, that looks like a jungle, and go close to the entrance of the caves of the Plateau de Castaert. Here you will find many entrances to the old quarries (Ternaaien, Lanaye en Feij). You will also see the Farm de Caestert and the ruins of the old castle. You can also enjoy superb seesights over the Meuse Valley. Please be aware that some parts are exposed so if you are afraid of heights be careful.
Really important!!! The Wallonie government forbids the access to the Lost Valley so if you go over there you do it at your own risk. The pictures are taken when the area was stil accessible (in 2020).
Length: 7,1 km; Elevation; 137 meters; Best time: Mar- Oct; Recommended equipment: hiking shoes & hiking apparel. Some points are really steep and slippery so do not use sneakers/training shoes.
Wandelroute – Valkenburg – Kastelen in het Geuldal
This is most likely the most spectacular route for those who love combining nature and monumental places like castles. You will walk along the Geul river and see the enchanting Kasteel Oost (Castle Oost) and most of all the Kasteel Schaloen (Castle Schaloen), that reminds the Val de Loire castles in France. After that, the trail will take you uphill to the Biebosch. Over there you will see some caves if you go a bit off trail and then reach the Wilhelminatoren, the tower that dominates the town and walking close to the amusement park Agogo.You will finally get toValkenburg where you will enjoy the sight of the Valkenburg castle ruins, the gates and the lively main and pitoresque streets.
Length: 7,4 km; Elevation; 117 meters; Best time: Jan – Dec; Recommended equipment: hiking shoes & hiking apparel.
Wandelroute Vi2 – Eijsden-Margraten – Vineyard route Noorbeek
This is a vineyard route so you must do it in August/September to fully enjoy the sights of the vineyards. If you decide, however, to hike here, the landscape is still great as you see the hills of Noorbeek in the beautiful Heuvelland. Not only that, you will also see the pitoresque half-timbered houses.
Length: 7,8 km; Elevation; 136 meters; Best time: July/September; Recommended equipment: hiking shoes & hiking apparel.
Brunssummerheide
The Brunssumerheide is the largest heathland in Limburg and it is an incredible environment and one of the natural areas that I would recommend to visit in the Netherlands. In this beautiful trail you will discover this diverse environment where you will walk through pine forests, sand dunes and grass meadows. And especially in July/August, when the heath is blossoming, you will see the beautiful purple color. And as you will walk also over a sandy trail, you will feel to walk on the seaside. You go up and down frequently so be trained 🙂
Length: 8,4 km; Elevation; 205 meters; Best time: July/September; Recommended equipment: hiking shoes & hiking apparel.
St. Pietersberg caves route
St Pietersberg or the Mount St Pieter is one of most known hills in the Netherlands (it is called mountain). Not only for the famous Fort St. Pieter, but also for the geological importance given by the limestone quarry (ENCI), the underground network, the caves like the Devil´s cave (Duivelsgroot). In this great hiking route, you will also enjoy panoramic views over the Meuse valley, Maastricht and the ENCI quarry. You will go down the staircase and enter in one of the caves and get back to million of years where the Mosasaurus was swimming.
Length: 6,8 km; Elevation; 117 meters; Best time: March – November; Recommended equipment: hiking shoes & hiking apparel.
Well there is not really a ´hard difficulty´ section as so far I have not found one but I will add it as soon as I will face one 🙂
Some final tips
Are you looking for some hiking apparel? I recommend you to check the hiking apparel section in the Travel & Resources area.
As hiking is very beneficial for your health, please check the Body & Mind section to discover also how you can improve your general well-being, including the forest bathing.
Do you also want to discover other routes? Here you find also other incredible hiking routes.
If you like this post, please pin this image or push one of the sharing buttons after the subscribe banner 🙂 🙂
Discover yourself
Traveling inspires you to discover more about yourself and your own life.
Get the latest adventure updates and the free guide How to travel in Europe!
