Cycle route - Tasteful mix of chalk & loess

Chalk is the overarching theme that gives you a new, deeper view of the environment. For the optimal experience, the Cretaceous cycle route is divided into four connected loops, each of which tells a different story about the Cretaceous period. The total cycle route is more than 117 kilometers. As an avid cyclist you could travel through the entire era in one day, but of course you can also take several days.

Where can you 'experience' lime more than in the Land of Lime? In the countryside between Valkenburg, Heerlen and Vaals you can feel, taste and admire it. That tasting is not literal, but indicates the many vineyards and fruit orchards that thrive so well on the fertile loess soil. You cycle from the touristic Valkenburg towards a beautiful part of South Limburg, which is surprisingly hilly and rich in nature.

Kunradersteen, the typical local limestone, is still mined here in the last opencast quarry in the Netherlands. This robust limestone can be seen in churches, farms and works of art. You can park and start at the parking lot of the Par'course (De Leeuwhof, Valkenburg).

If you have any comments about the route, you can report them via routepunt@visitzuidlimburg.nl.

A complete cycle junction map with all South Limburg junctions in this region can easily be ordered via www.visitzuidlimburg.nl/webshop.