10x golden spots in North Limburg
Welcome to North Limburg. Where silence is golden, but cosiness is never far away. Where you hop from moors to historic villages and roll from bustling city terraces into farmland.
These are the places where you experience them: the golden moments. Will you come and discover it for yourself?
- De Mookerheide and Jachtslot Mookerheide
- Golden day at Toverland amusement park
- Hiking in Maasduinen National Park
- Silence and contemplation in Monastery Village Steyl
- Discover Kasteeltuinen Arcen
- Beesel: the village of the dragon
- Bird watching in Groote Peel National Park
- Liberation Route and German military cemetery Ysselsteyn
- Visit the historic centre of Gennep
- Cycling along the Meuse
1. De Mookerheide and Jachtslot Mookerheide
Fancy stretching your legs on North Limburg soil? Visit De Mookerheide, the green oasis of Mook and Middelaar. Or yes, green: that just depends on the time of year. In August, the heather turns a beautiful purple. That makes us quiet even in North Limburg. Even more - literally - highlights are the panoramic views of the river Maas and Cuijk church. But also Jachtslot Mookerheide: a historic art nouveau building from 1904. Its bright blue and bright yellow roofs contrast beautifully with the green canopy of Landgoed Mookerheide. Join us after your walk in the woods for coffee and flan, lunch or dinner.
- Finest visiting time: in August and early September, the purple Mookerheide experiences its golden age. A prime time to take a walk there and wander through picking gardens on the estate. Prefer peace and quiet? Then visit this nature reserve in winter and finish with a hot chocolate on the terrace of the hunting lodge.
Heumensebaan 2, Mook, Jachtslot.com
2. Golden day at Toverland amusement park
Not a golden moment, but a golden day. That's what we promise you when you visit Toverland theme park. 'T is one of the youngest theme parks in our country. Yet countless memories have already been made at this amusement park in Horst aan de Maas. Anyone who has been on the Fenix will know: this rollercoaster is for daredevils. There is no other way when you whiz along the track at 95 kilometres per hour. A little too much jitters in your stomach? Don't worry: at Toverland amusement park you can experience plenty of quiet rides too.
- Golden tip: combine a day at Toverland with the tastiest farmhouse pancakes at forest brasserie Aan de Drift in America. You can get there in just over 10 minutes by car.
Toverlaan 2, Sevenum, toverland.com
Lorbaan 9a, America, aandedrift.nl
3. Hiking in De Maasduinen National Park
Between the Meuse River and the German border lies a sizeable stretch of North Limburg nature: National Park De Maasduinen. Did you know that this park in the municipality of Bergen is the longest river dune belt in the Netherlands? You walk from dry drifting dunes to wet fens and from forest to heathland, sometimes all within a few kilometres. Here you can hear the woodlark singing and see Scottish Highlanders grazing. In National Park De Maasduinen you are simply outdoors, in nature that tells its story without big words. Put on your walking shoes and go.
- Golden tip: every season in Maasduinen National Park has its own charm. But just after sunrise or just before sunset, those are the real golden visiting times.
4. Silence and contemplation in Monastery Village Steyl
Steyl is a stone's throw from the bustling city of Venlo. Yet for a moment you are in a completely different world. Once a thriving trading town, it later became a close-knit monastic community. Steyl is still a real monastery village. You walk among peaceful monastery gardens, old chapels and weathered walls. Picturesque places in a setting of silence, such as the old Mission House St Michael. The coloured stained glass of this old monastery is worth 'shooting a picture'.
Did you know that active sisters, fathers and brothers still live there today? They cater to guests in need of retreats, reflection or religious conversation, among other things.
- Golden tip: if you are in Steyl, visit the Mission Museum. Here you will discover extraordinary finds brought to Steyl by the first missionaries from all over the world.
St Michaëlstraat 7, Steyl, Kloosterdorpsteyl.nl
Veerweg 6, Steyl, Missionmuseum.co.uk
5. Discover Kasteeltuinen Arcen
Exploring Northern Limburg with the kids? Head to Arcen Castle Gardens together. Here the senses are right on edge. Garden lovers will also find happiness here: fifteen gardens are filled with fragrant flowers, colourful shrubs and blossoming trees. But there is more to experience. Take part in a treasure hunt, hit a ball on the mini-golf course and romp around on the play beach. And every season the castle garden in Arcen changes colour, be it the flowers or the magical light projections.
- Fun to do together: combine your visit with an Archeo route nearby. You will then uncover all kinds of hidden stories: archaeological finds that reveal mysteries from North Limburg's past.
Lingsforterweg 26, Arcen, Kasteeltuinen.nl
6. Beesel: the village of the dragon
What they don't make fun of in Beesel, anyway? Exactly: the dragon. This mythical beast turns up everywhere, from artworks and street signs to manhole covers. On the Oude Markt stands the largest dragon statue: the 'Drakesjtert', or dragon's tail. Once every seven years, they do poke the dragon in Beesel. That is when the big open-air event Draaksteken takes place, based on the legend of George and the Dragon. More than 400 Beesel people will take part in this spectacle. Come and see, we say.
- Do-tip: follow the dragon walk 'On the road with Joris and Cathelijne in Beesel' together with your children and let the story guide you for 9 kilometres. Do you have young children? Then the route can also be divided into two parts. You can order the route in this webshop.
Dragon statue: Town hall square, Beesel
7. Bird watching in De Groote Peel National Park
Conviviality knows no time with us in North Limburg. But a little peace and quiet from time to time? We enjoy that just as much. In National Park de Groote Peel, you walk along old boardwalks and past bird-watching huts. In this nature reserve, you will experience how this former peat bog turned into a pristine bird paradise. De Groote Peel is therefore a golden spot for avid bird watchers. With a bit of luck, they can cross the bittern, bluethroat and nightjar off their list here.
- Do you like to walk your dog? They can come along on a leash for an adventure in the national park.
Parking at: Moostdijk 15, Ospel, Buitencentrumdepeelen.nl
8. Liberation Route and German military cemetery Ysselsteyn
The Liberation Route takes you through an impressive piece of northern Limburg's history. As free as you feel during this bike ride, this area was occupied during World War II. The route ties together several historical stops. They are benches where you look at the liberation operations at those locations from the eyes of soldiers or residents. You start at Ysselsteyn, the world's largest cemetery for German soldiers. Did you know that over 31,000 soldiers are buried here?
German War Cemetery Ysselsteyn: Timmermannsweg 75, Ysselsteyn, Joc-ysselsteyn.eu
9. Visit Gennep's historic centre
Where the rivers Meuse and Niers meet lies Gennep. A small town, but big on cosiness. Here you sip a vase among the historic buildings. History abounds. Take the town hall: it dates from 1620. Could it be any older? Yes indeed. The Petershuis was already there in the late Middle Ages. Now you come here for archaeological finds, scale models and art.
- Golden tip: along Gennep flows the river Niers. Rent a canoe and discover the green surroundings from the water.
Europaplein 1, Gennep, Visitgennep.nl
10. Cycling along the Meuse
Wind in your hair, sun on your face: cycling along the Meuse will make you feel better. Follow the blue vein that winds right through the green landscape and you will automatically pass fun stops. Think of the cosy city of Venlo and monastery village Steyl. And how about a visit to the farmers of northern Limburg? They welcome you with open arms and fresh, tasty local produce. So take a bag with you: it will soon be filled with real North Limburg strawberries, asparagus and jam.
- Did you know that while cycling along the Meuse, you can often cross by ferry? Our favourite is the foot and bike ferry from Lottum to Arcen, perhaps the nicest ferry in Limburg. And looking for another route? Then the Arcen to Lottum round trip is highly recommended
Maasstraat 34, Arcen, Veerponten.nl/veren/arcen-lottum
