Fancy one of those cycling days when you don't have to plan much? Follow the Meuse. It automatically shows you the way past villages, water meadows, terraces and ferries. In North Limburg, cycling along the water becomes just that little bit more fun if you cross over every now and then. This blog is perfect for anyone who likes cycling and is looking for special routes in the Netherlands and North Limburg. Just wait at the jetty, bike in hand, wind through your hair. And then float quietly to the other side. We share a list of our favourite cycling routes that involve taking the ferry.
What makes cycling along the Meuse in North Limburg so much fun? You are actually never far from the water. The river meanders gently along with you and a ferry often pops up at exactly the right moment along the way. Get off your bike, hold your hand, look across the Meuse and presto: on the other side, your route starts a little differently. No big diversions, just that little holiday feeling.
Want to check in advance which ferries sail and what the current sailing times are? Then check the overview of ferries at Veerponten.nl.
1. A cycle ride along the Meuse near Bergen and Vierlingsbeek
At Bergen , you can take your bike onto the ferry to Vierlingsbeek. A lovely loop if you enjoy the open Meuse landscape, quiet roads and villages where you can easily stop for a coffee. The ferry service runs all year round and connects Limburg with Brabant, right at a spot where the Meuse feels wide and tranquil.
Cycle along the Limburg side towards Afferden or Nieuw Bergen and soak up some extra nature on the edge of De Maasduinen National Park. On the other side, you’ll find the landscape of the Maasheggen. Two worlds, separated by a single ferry.
Pause tip: Boscafé 't Rimpelt in Afferden
Cycling on the Limburg side towards Afferden or the Maasduinen? Then Boscafé 't Rimpelt is a fine stop. Located in De Maasduinen nature reserve, it calls itself a stopover for cyclists and hikers, with coffee and fresh pastries. Nice place to take a breather before pedalling on again.
2. Broekhuizen, Arcen and a touch of holiday feeling
Between Broekhuizen and Arcen, the ferry takes you to one of North Limburg's most famous Maas spots. On one side you have cosy Broekhuizen, on the other side Arcen with terraces, castle gardens and the river Maas right next to you. The ferry service is a regular connection between these Maas villages.
This round trip is ideal if you like to combine cycling with something tasty along the way. First along the river, then across by ferry, then settle down in Arcen.
Break tip: Lunch café 't Tolhuisje in Broekhuizen
At 't Tolhuisje, you sit on the river Meuse with a view of the Meuse ferry to Arcen. After a bike ride, you can go there for coffee with Limburg flan. Bike against the stand, view of the ferry: it doesn't get much better than that.
3. Cycle ferry at Arcen and Lottum: small ferry, big fun
The bicycle and foot ferry between Arcen and Lottum is one such crossing that immediately gives your cycling day something extra. From the ferry landing in Lottum, you cycle along the Rosehof path towards De Rozenhof and past Kasteeltje De Borggraaf.
Especially in June and July, this is a lovely tour. Then you can sometimes smell the roses before you see them. Combine Lottum with Arcen and you have a route full of Meuse, flowers, terraces and short distances. Just right for an afternoon on the bike.
4. Lovely long cycle route in North Limburg? Take the LF Maasroute
Fancy a proper day’s cycling? Then you could follow a section of the LF Maas Route. This long route runs from Maastricht to Rotterdam, following the River Maas through Limburg and on towards the sea. In North Limburg, you can simply choose a lovely section, for example past Arcen, Broekhuizen, Bergen or Gennep. The great thing about the LF Maasroute is that you decide for yourself how long your ride will be. You can cycle for a couple of hours, or a full day. Along the way, water, dykes, villages and green spaces alternate peacefully.
Break tip: Het Koffiehuis in Gennep
Do you catch a northern stretch of the LF Maasroute? Then Het Koffiehuis in Gennep is a fine stop. Located in the centre of Gennep, it lists coffee, fresh pastries and refuelling as fixed items. Handy if you still have some kilometres ahead of you.
Check at Veerponten which ferries you will encounter along the way
5. Baarlo and Steyl: monastery village in sight
Between Baarlo and Steyl, take the ferry across the Meuse. From the water, you look towards Steyl, with the monastery on the Meuse as a landmark. That makes this crossing just that little bit different. You're only on the water for a short time, but it still feels like a little trip.
On one side is Baarlo, also known as a castle village. On the other side, you cycle into Steyl, a monastery village with its very own face. A great cycle route in northern Limburg if you like villages with character, a bit of the Meuse and like to take a ferry along the way.
Pause tip: Café Brasserie 't Vaerhoes in Steyl
In Steyl, after crossing, you can settle down at one of the hospitality spots in the monastery village. Café Brasserie 't Vaerhoes is mentioned in the hospitality overview of Kloosterdorp Steyl. Nice to cycle this route not only as a ferry route, but also to take in the atmosphere of Steyl for a while.
Sailing schedule Baarlo- Steyl: 1 April to 30 September Monday to Friday from 7am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday and holidays from 9am to 9pm.
From 1 October to 31 March, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm and Sunday and public holidays from 9 am to 7 pm. View the ferry here
Ferry address: Veerstoep Baarlo / Veerstoep Steyl
"No cash with you? No problem because nowadays you can simply withdraw cash at many ferries. How nice is that! "
Fenna Bisschops
6. Lottum and Lomm: cycling along the Meuse between roses and castles
At Lottum, you can also catch the ferry to Lomm. This ferry service connects Rose Village Lottum with the surroundings of the Arcen Castle Gardens. Ideal if you want to combine cycling along the Meuse with quiet roads, green banks and quaint villages.
On one side you have Lottum, known as Rose Village. On the other side, you cycle towards Lomm and further through the Maas landscape. A fine crossing for those who don't necessarily need a long trip, but like that ferry feeling.
Break tip: Smits Bakery in Lottum
For a real coffee-with-pie stop, Bakkerij Smits is the place to be. The bakery has a shop in Lottum and itself mentions that you can go there for coffee with a piece of Limburg flan. Simply delicious, without detours.
Sailing schedule Lottum - Lomm: 1 April to 30 September Monday to Friday from 7am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday and holidays from 9am to 9pm.
From 1 October to 31 March, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm and Sunday and public holidays from 9 am to 7 pm. View the ferry here
Ferry address: Veerstoep Lottum / Veerstoep Lomm
7. Kessel and Beesel: crossing between two Meuse villages
At Kessel, you hop on the ferry to Beesel with your bike. A fine crossing if you're looking for a beautiful cycle route in North Limburg with villages, Maasscapes and just enough variety along the way. On one side lies Kessel, on the other Beesel.
If you cycle on the Kessel side, you are in the municipality of Peel and Maas. On the other side, you ride straight towards Beesel and Reuver. It's one of those ferries that immediately makes your route more fun. Just wait, get your bike on, look at the water and carry on. Simple. And so nice for that very reason.
Sailing schedule Kessel - Beesel: 1 April to 30 September Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 10.30pm, Saturday from 7.30am to 10.30pm and Sunday and holidays from 8am to 10.30pm.
From 1 October to 31 March Monday to Friday from 6.30 to 22.30, Saturday from 7.30 to 22.30 and Sunday and holidays from 8.30 to 22.30. View the ferry here
8. Blitterswijck and Wellerlooi: with Kobus to the other side
Between Blitterswijck and Wellerlooi, ferry Kobus takes you and your bike across the Meuse. This foot and bicycle ferry has been operating between the two villages again since 2002, after the connection had been at a standstill for years. More than a million passengers have since been ferried across.
Nearby tip: make a stop at Veerhuys Tante Jet aan de Maas. Located on the Veerweg in Blitterswijck, the ferry house calls itself a place to enjoy by the Maas. From here you are immediately in the right place for that real ferry feeling: bike against the stand, views over the water and not having to do anything for a while.
Sailing times Blitterswijck - Wellerlooi: from 28 March and in April daily from 09:30 to 18:30, May to August daily from 09:30 to 19:30, September daily from 09:30 to 18:30, October daily from 11:00 to 16:00 and 1 November from 11:00 to 16:00. From 2 November to 27 March, the ferry is out of service. View the ferry here
No, mostly not. Most cycle ferries along the Meuse just work without reservations. You cycle to the jetty, wait a while for the ferry to arrive and sail along to the other side. On busy summer days, it can be a bit more crowded, though, especially on weekends and holidays.
This differs per ferry. Some ferries sail almost the whole year, others only during the cycling season from about April to October. In case of high water or bad weather, ferries may be temporarily out of service. Checking in advance avoids surprises along the way.
Sure. Many routes along the Meuse are flat and run on quiet cycle paths and dykes. This makes them fine for a relaxing day trip without too much climbing. Along the way, you regularly come across terraces, resting points and villages where you can settle down for coffee or a piece of flan.
Want to cycle along the Meuse, but don't have your own bike with you? No problem. In North Limburg, you will find bike rentals in several places, often close to beautiful routes, village centres or the river Meuse. Before leaving, always check the current availability and opening hours. Then you won't be at the start empty-handed. Or well, without handlebars.
A few handy rental points per municipality:
Bergen Council: at BONBONBIKE in Bergen , you can hire city bikes, children’s bikes, e-bikes and cargo bikes, amongst other things. The hire point is located at Breelaan 52 in Bergen.
Municipality of Venlo: in Arcen, you can visit Lemmen Tweewielers at Wal 2 in Arcen. Among other things, they rent out ladies' and men's bikes, electric bikes, children's bikes, tandems and scooters. Would you rather start in Venlo itself? Then you can hire bicycles via Toerist Information Venlo at the tourist counter in Boekhandel Koops, Keulsepoort 12 in Venlo.
Municipality of Venray: in Wanssum, you easily work with Fietsverhuur Noord Limburg / Dekkers Tweewielers. You pick up the rental bikes at Van Wanssum Café, Venrayseweg 2A in Wanssum.
Municipality of Horst aan de Maas: at Lommen Tweewielers, you can hire electric and regular bikes for a day, weekend or week. They are in Horst and Sevenum; locations mentioned include Kloosterstraat 12 in Horst and Peperstraat 54 in Sevenum.
Municipality of Mook and Middelaar: at Dolfijn Watersport en Recreatie in Mook, you are at the northernmost tip of Limburg, at the access channel to the river Maas. Handy if you want to combine your cycling trip with a day at or on the water. Check the current rental options in advance.
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In this blog, you’ll find ten places in North Limburg that are ideal for a cycling holiday. You’ll cycle along the River Meuse, through nature reserves and villages, with stops at castles, museums and places to stay.
