The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Bunder- En Elslooërbos

Is NO LONGER emptied! No more money for NATURE. Volunteers from IVN Elsloo built a wooden walkway near the Kromme Dijk in the first week of January '26. This makes the popular hiking trail along the Hemelbeek accessible again. This is a temporary solution pending definitive measures by Staatsbosbeheer, the owner of this forest area. They will also be consulting with the municipality of Stein and IVN again soon. Unfortunately, Waterschap Limburg is not contributing to a solution because they no longer empty the sand trap, causing the area to suffer not only from waterlogging but also to fill up with sand and silt.

You could once look down nicely from the Snijdersberg, as told in a piece about the Penderjansknub - see https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/4184016. Here too, at the end of the picnic area (walk to the furthest bench), there is a viewpoint/vista, although it is not always clear. On the other side of the area (by the road), you will also find some nice sights if you want to linger here for a while. There is a hand-crank well and, this is also mentioned in a book about the bokkenrijderswandeling in Geulle, a stone bench with drawings on it of sights in Geulle by children from the region. Actually an extra highlight for me, with the support of the Heemkunde-vereniging Gäöl. But I just uploaded some photos.

You can look down from various places, towards Geulle aan de Maas (with its striking church) which lies between the Maas and the Julianakanaal, and of course much further. But the Penderjansknub and Snijdersberg are the "place to be" for the best views now. The view from Snijdersberg and Penderjansknub was apparently much freer according to a book with old postcards, according to an article about it on the website of the local history association Gäöl. So people from the village could see the different parts: from top to bottom but of course also vice versa! The view over Penderjansknub was created after discussions with Staatsbosbeheer by the village community. Because without tree felling on the slope, there is of course no view anymore – and then your experience of the village's past is completely gone! A little further than Penderjansknub, at the picnic spot of Snijdersberg, there is a viewpoint. You have to walk there, to the bench furthest from the road. Did you know: the Penderjansknup (apparently with a "p") is or was the carnival award of De Bokkerieers, the local carnival association. More at http://geulle.com/wordpress/?page_id=163

The tea house in Kasteelpark Elsloo, locally known as ’t zomerhuuske, is temporarily closed to visitors. Last summer, the historic structure was once again damaged by arson.

In 1848 the chapel was built here, using the building materials that were left over from the construction of the Saint Augustine Church in Elsloo. ’t Bluuske is the name for the chapel of Catsop. Bluuske is a contraction of belhuuske (little bell house). The chapel had a dual function. It was not only a chapel, but also the carrier of the alarm bell of Catsop. In case of fire and unrest, the bell was rung, and then all able-bodied men had to gather (there were high fines for not showing up). The location of the chapel is connected to the legend of Winand van Meers. The wall painting tells the legend of Winandus van Elsloo. A group of pilgrims, including Winandus, makes a journey to the Holy Land. After the visit, his companions begin their return journey on Easter Day. Winandus found this day too honorable and left a day later. A passing rider saw this hasty pilgrim and took him along on his horse. Winandus said that he wanted to catch up with his former companions. A few hours later, Winandus was, much to his surprise, already home again. He did not understand what had happened, but the rider said: "You have given Our Lord the honor that is due to Him".

When leaving the Bunderbos, you arrive here in the quiet hamlet of Snijdersberg. To the right of the triangular square, there are a few picnic benches on a lawn between pollarded trees. An ideal resting and picnic spot.

This beautiful spot is called Penderjansknub. It is located in the beautiful nature reserve the Bunderbos, known for its wooden stairs, steep slopes, and beautiful views.

The Elsoër forest is the steepest slope forest in the Netherlands! All sorts of spring streams flow through the forest. This special ecosystem is home to rare forest plants and aquatic animals such as newts and frogs. This piece of nature is so special that it has been included as a protected area by the European Union.