Walking route of the 7 Observer Summits

This route is one of the 7 summits, the seven steepest peaks in southern Limburg. It is a circular promenade of 8.5 km with a maximum height of 157 meters.

The westernmost peak, like the easternmost of the seven peaks, is not a natural mountain, but a stone mountain. The Wilhelminaberg near Landgraaf, a remnant of coal mining, is black, the Observant near Maastricht is white, because a residue from marl mining. On one side the Meuse and on the other side the Albert Canal, on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands, d'n Observant offers a surprising view of all wind directions.

D'n Observant was made on the Sint-Pietersberg from the overburden of the ENCI quarry and planted in the fifties. Meanwhile, the quarry's "marl canyon" is also a nature reserve where eagle owls breed and Marland sheep graze. During the Kanne circuit in Belgium, you will pass openings in the steep marl walls that give access to an underground labyrinth of 150 kilometers. Abandoned marl corridors are a popular wintering ground for bats. The summit of the Observant is quite easy to reach, but with an Anstieg through the "hidden valley", it becomes a real expedition.

Note: the limestone is friable, the precipices are deep and some paths are very steep. This route is not signposted.

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

A booklet of the 7 peaks or a complete hiking map with several dozen other hiking trails in this area is easy to order via www.visitzuidlimburg.nl/webshop .