Valkenburg aan de Geul Netherlands, WW

Overview: Valkenburg is in the southern Dutch province of Limburg. Limburg is the only area in the sountry that is not flat. Probably the closest American terrain equivalent would be the moraines in southern Wisconsin. Limburg contains the highest point in the Netherlands, Vaalserberg, nears the village of Vaals, at 1,059 feet. Vaalserberg is within meters of the Dreilandpunt tower, which marks the three-way border of the Netherlands, German and Belgium. Valkenburg, itself, is a tourist town. The main attraction is the castle on the hill over looking the city. But there are also Roman mines, two sandstone caverns, a spa, a casino, camping, and the kabelbaan -- a ski lift without the skiing. (Despite the cold, a visit in December is recommended simply for the Christmas market in the sandstone caverns under the castle.) There are plenty of places to hike and bike. In fact, you can bike from anywhere in the Netherlands, to anywhere else in the Netherlands without ever getting lost, and multiple choices as to route, due to the awesome bike lanes and signs (in red on white). Valkenburg is too small, and crowded, to drive anywhere: Park & walk.


Hike: You could spend a lot of time hitting the sights, or you could do this hike in the morning, learning the city, then in the afternoon hit the sites you saw a few hours earlier. The hike starts from one of the two major parking areas in the zentrum (city centre), at Walramplein. (Pay for your parking at the machine.)Head east along the tiny Geul River to St. Barbara's Dam. Cross over Berkelplein, continuing to follow the voetpad ("foot path") to Geul Park: a meadow with sheep and a meer ("lake"). Follow the path along the west shore of the lake, through the parking area to Oud Valkenburgweg ("Old Valkenburg Way"). Turn right past some very nice houses. Take the very next left. Look closely, and you will see a gate between houses. You have gone 1.0 miles.

After passing through the gate, you will begin the first of two minor climbs on the hike: About 200 feet in a .25 miles. The path will be extremely muddy if there has been recent precipitation, but it will be very peaceful with many birds chirping in the trees. When you reach the large pasture, turn right re-entering the woods. When you come to a rough road, turn right passing an abadoned tank trailer, until you hit pavement at Bergstraat ("Berg Street"). Turn left, as you enter Sibbe, you have gone 2.0 miles.

As you enter Sibbe, split right up a farm lane, which passes through some *gorgeous* fields. Stay right along Heunsbergerweg, aiming for the cross-topped Kabelbaan tower. At the tower, you have gone 3.0 miles.

Descend to the right of the mini-bobsled run (or whatever it is), turn left at the bottom, past the lift mechanicals, then descend to street level behind a hotel. You will exit near the Berkelpoort city gate. Turn left up the stairs behind the castle, then descend the west side of the castle, almost to the Grendelpoort, before turning up the Cauberg two lane road. (One of the few true teo lane roads in the city.) You have gone about 3.8 miles.

Pass by the caverns on your right, taking the first split to the left. Making your only other climb of note, you will pass by the ampitheater masoleum, then the spa, arriving back on Cauberg just west of the casino. Cross the road, passing through a wood gate, onto the Heytgrachtvoetpad ("Heyt Canal Foot Path" -- ironically named as this is one of the few places in the country *without* a canal. When you again reach pavement at Plenkerstraat, you will have gone 5.0 miles.

Turn right on Plenkerstraat, past the old Roman mines and back into the main part of town. This time pass through the Grendelpoort on the tourist strip. Take the first left down "Restaurant Row" (or as the Dutch call it, Grotestraat). This might be good time to enjoy some good beer. Pass the 14th century Sint Nicolaas en Barbara Kerk ("church") on your left, then cross ovet the Geul River to the old stadhuis ("city hall") on the right. Cross back to the south side of the Geul River, then continue east along the river walk to your car at Walramplein. You have gone about 5.9 miles.

2013-06-04 kingsnake