The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Bemelerberg & Schiepersberg

The Huppelpad Route This is a walk organized around South Limburg Regional Products. It's a beautiful, varied walk from Margraten to the "Huppelpad" (Farmer of the Eggs Mergelland Eggs) farm. There, you can get the tastiest, pure eggs in the entire region (from a vending machine). For more information, visit: https://www.mergellandei.nl/huppelpad/ The starting point is the parking lot on Gouverneur Kremersstraat in Margraten and the end point is the "Farmer of the Eggs" farm at Keerestraat 3 in Eckelrade (between Eckelrade and Cadier en Keer). Just before the farm, you'll find a beautiful new nature trail: the "Huppelpad." • https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/11365373

The Geul Valley is one of the most beautiful and characteristic landscapes in South Limburg. Here, the Geul meanders like a silver ribbon through green meadows, sloping forests, and flower-filled grasslands. The valley exudes tranquility and history: it is a landscape shaped over the centuries by water, man, and nature. Along the river lie countless old watermills, once the beating heart of the Limburg countryside. Mills such as the Volmolen, the Geulhemermolen, and the Schaloensmolen recall a time when flowing water brought not only life but also labor and crafts. Some mills are still in operation, while others have been lovingly restored into cafés, homes, or museums… all with the rhythm of the Geul as a backdrop.

The Geul is one of the most characteristic rivers in South Limburg. It rises in Belgium near the village of Lichtenbusch and then winds for approximately 58 kilometers through the Limburg hills before flowing into the Meuse near Bunde. Along the way, the Geul forms the heart of numerous nature reserves, such as the Geul Valley Ingendael and the Gerendal, and flows past charming villages like Valkenburg Meerssen and Epen. What makes the Geul so special is its natural course… it is allowed to meander freely, constantly creating new bends, gravel banks, and levees. This dynamic attracts countless animals, from kingfishers to brook lampreys, and ensures that the river is constantly changing with the seasons. Along its banks, you'll find quiet walking paths, old mills, bridges, and field crosses. The gentle murmur of the water accompanies you along the way, while the scent of grass and damp earth reminds you that this valley has been alive and breathing for centuries.

Wooden cross https://veldkruus.nl/kruis.php?kr=989 On the corner of Limburgerstraat and Beatrixstraat stands a wooden cross, a kite-shaped cross with a body. The inscription reads: "Iech deenk aan dich, deenks dich dan aan mich" (I think of you, then think of me). This wayside cross was placed by the Os Straot neighborhood association. This neighborhood association was founded in 1986 at the initiative of Liza and Chrit Hogenboom. The wood for the wayside cross was donated by Donny Troisfontaine. Eddy George made the cross. The crucifix was donated by Richard Reinders. The inscription was made by Peter Soudant. The cross was blessed by Pastor Jan van Frankenhuijsen on a Friday in September 1999 at 7:00 PM to commemorate the 12 1/2 anniversary of the neighborhood association. A wooden wayside cross once stood here at the intersection of Limburgerstraat and a field path (currently Beatrixstraat). When Beatrixstraat was constructed, there was no longer room for the cross. The cross was stored for a while at Sjef Spronck's (master Spronck). His daughter Marie-José then took it to Valkenburg. This wayside cross currently stands in Valkenburg. Source: Historical Society Cadier en Keer https://www.kruisenenkapellenlimburg.nl/houten-kruis Photo: MoWa (2008) Specifications Year of construction/installation: 1999 Material: Wood

A short climb begins at the mill. It has a gradient of between 4 and 6%.

The castle of Sint Gerlach has not been a mansion with castle allure for very long. It was only converted into a castle/mansion in the nineteenth century. As often happened after the French rule and also here after the dissolution of the religious origin. The domain and the buildings started as a double monastery (men and women) and soon after a foundation (only women) of the Norbertines. It dates from the twelfth century. There is, among other things, a main building, a coach house, a manor farm and a former leasehold farm, also known as Hoeve Broers. The original monastery and the church with treasury and sanctuary came about with the canonization of the hermit Gerlachus. The entire complex is part of the Geul & Maas estate and the current luxury hotel with wellness/spa, conference rooms and restaurant, surrounded by a famous sculpture garden (Kunst in Valkenburg) and with the Ingendael nature reserve as a rear neighbor, came after the takeover by hotelier Camille Oostwegel, who was born in Houthem.

In the heart of the Ingendael nature reserve, flanked by the Geul, lies the centuries-old Château St. Gerlach. As secret corners reveal themselves, you are overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of the former monastery and farm. The estate houses a hotel with rooms, suites, residences, two restaurants, spa & wellness, a swimming pool and the St. Gerlach Pavilion & Kasteelhoeve. A unique place where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

You can't really see what's around the corner, so it's a good time to practice "next to".