The "Groenmetropolis" area extends from Beringen (B) in the west, to Heerlen (NL) and Düren (D) in the east. This region is one of the oldest coal-producingregions in Europe.

For centuries, the landscape was dominated by the coal industry. But even after this coal age, this field seems limitless and the challenge of giving shape and content to the transition from "black to green" in particular seems to be a limiting factor.

To highlight solidarity within the "Green Metropolis", two recreational routes have been developed: the Green Metropolis Cycle Route and the Green Metropolis Automobile Route.

Thanks to these routes, more than 70 tourist sites and natural and leisure areas are connected. Multilingual information on site (the "Infopoints"), a clear map (available from tourist offices) stimulate the discovery of the region. Further information on these routes is available at: www.gruenmetropole.eu.

The motorway is specially signposted in the Netherlands and Germany via the blue Groenmetropool-Autobordjes and stretches about 300 km from Duren to Beringen.

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