The best hikes from bus stations around Bunderbos

The parish of St. Martin was founded before or around the year 1000. It is not known when the first and second churches were built. The first church is said to have been made of wood and the second church of marl. The west tower was built in the 14th century. The Gothic choir was built in 1626. In the period 1664-1806/1820 (depending on the source), the church was used by the Roman Catholic parish of H. Martinus and the then Reformed (Protestant) community of Geul. It was also a refuge for Protestants living on the other side of the Maas in the land of Rekem. In the years 1919-1920, a part was demolished and rebuilt. The church at the time, which was demolished, would have been the third church. From this church, after a cross enlargement, only the priest's choir, which is now used as a daily chapel, and the tower remain. The new nave was rebuilt through the existing church and is based on the design of the Maastricht architect Hubert van Groenendael. This gave the church its typical cross shape.

The stables of the old moated castle Schloss Geulle, demolished in 1850, have been converted into comfortable accommodation with elegantly landscaped gardens within the moat. Guest rooms with fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, bicycles and free Wi-Fi. Numerous golf courses and excellent Michelin-starred restaurants in the surrounding area.

The Bundebrücke over the Julianakanal can be reached via a slightly winding path, which is however very easy to ride.

Bunde station is the railway station of Bunde in the municipality of Meerssen. The first station building dates from 1862 and was of the standard SS 5th class type. This building was renovated in 1911, with the addition of a wing. In 1964, the building was demolished and replaced by the standard Douma type. 🅿️🚅 for free parking at the starting point of a beautiful walk through the Bunde and Elslooërbos forests. The railway line through the Bunder and Elslooërbos forests (part of the Maastricht-Venlo line) was constructed in the 19th century, with Bunde station opening in 1862. The construction of this line had a significant impact on the drainage of the slopes in this area at the time. Source/info: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_Bunde_(Nederland)

This well was built around 1900. It has an iron pumping system and a projecting saddle roof with red, traditional Dutch tiles. The well is constructed of timber framing with bricks between them. An axle with a crank wheel rests on the first horizontal beam. This operated a pump mechanism, which supplied water through a pipe at the front.

Berceau Berceaus originate from a time when it was fashionable for upper-class women to look as white as possible. In the gardening context, a 'berceau' means a covered walkway or 'foliage' of trees or shrubs connected to create a tunnel-like effect. The word also comes from French and can mean 'cradle', and more broadly: birthplace, cradle of civilization, or a particular type of chisel (in art). Source/info: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berceau_(tuin)

Information sign text: ITTEREN RECREATIONAL POND -The area surrounding the recreational pond is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Maastricht. -Where residents of Itteren and Borgharen now stroll along the banks, children play, and fishermen cast their lines, people already lived around 5,000 years before Christ. Remains of a settlement from the Linear Pottery period have been found near the pond, on the Sterkenberg. Traces from the late Bronze Age and the Iron Age, around 1,000 years before Christ, also indicate that this location was popular near the former watercourse of the Meuse River. Incidentally, the Romans also camped here. -The location remained in later centuries. For example, the northern boundary of the pond, the Stuifkensweg, is already mentioned in official documents from 1484. -Around 1960, the then-independent municipality of Itteren launched plans for the construction of a new residential area, including a new church. The higher elevation and improved flood protection of the Meuse were the main driving forces. It never materialized. Farmers were able to continue working the land. The recreational pond, which took shape in 2016 and 2017, is a result of the Grensmaas project, a combination of flood protection, nature development, and gravel extraction between Maastricht and Roosteren. The pond replaces the former fishpond in the Itterense Weerd, which is now part of the expanded Meuse River. The Grensmaas Consortium, together with residents' delegations from Itteren and Borgharen, the Maas Fish Stock Improvement Association, and the municipality of Maastricht, designed the recreational pond. Including the surrounding nature reserves, the recreational pond covers an area of approximately 15 hectares. The pond itself is seven hectares in size. The area's design recalls the historic meander of the Meuse River from times long past. The pond is not only a link in the walking route between Itteren and Borgharen, but is also part of the RivierPark Maasvallei (Meuse Valley River Park). This cross-border nature reserve on both sides of the Meuse River offers beautiful cycling routes, challenging hiking trails, and breathtaking views of the river. Thanks to the Consortium's interventions, the Meuse River has become much more spacious. At water levels similar to those in 1993 and 1995, Itteren and Borgharen are no longer flooded, and residents can now stay dry.

Beautiful Limburgs Dorp.