Attractions of the hill country

Whether it's the Mergelland, Heuvelland, Hügelland, or a chalkboard, there are many terms for the gently rolling landscape that unfolds from the west of Aachen to Maastricht. Half-timbered houses characterize the scene with their black beams and white-washed clay. On the Belgian side, they are replaced by rubble stone houses. Many of them are registered monuments and have over 400 years under their belt. The calcareous fertile soils have always provided favorable conditions for agriculture. On our bike tour, we are accompanied by vast green meadows, fields, orchards, and farm gardens, as well as opportunities to buy and taste products from the Heuvelland region. Some half-timbered houses have been spruced up. In a mix of tradition and chic, holiday apartments and gastronomy have taken hold and are vying for guests.

Culinary delights entice for a cycling break, following the "Burgundian way of life" praised in Limburg. The spectrum ranges from flatbreads, coffee specialties, cheese, syrup, and homemade ice cream to wine tasting. Dutch wine? Absolutely, on the "Route de Vins Vijlen-Holset" we pass by the St. Martinus winery, which has been producing internationally acclaimed wines in ecological cultivation since 1988 on 28 hectares.

The breaks are well deserved. After all, we want to tackle all sorts of inclines such as the long ascent to the hill in Belgian Sippenaeken or the Vaalserberg, at 322.5 meters the Zugspitze of the Netherlands. In addition to enjoyable breaks, we will be rewarded with five-star views over a picture-perfect landscape and gentle descents on quiet asphalted roads. We return via the ridgeline of the Aachen Forest on the old Bitweg, part of the international Way of St. James, down to the Aachen city center.

Highlights along the route:

Aachen Cathedral and historic old town
Westpark, Aachen
Border hut "Kleng Wach", Vaals (NL)
Hervormde Kerk, Vaals (NL)
De Kopermolen, Vaals (NL)
Von Clermonthuis, Vaals (NL)
Kasteel Bloemendal, Vaals (NL)
Sint Martinuskerk, Vijlen (NL)
Epermolen/Wingbergermolen, Epen (NL)
Schloss Beusdal, Sippenaeken (B)
Mühle, Terbruggen (B)
Hubertus Parish Church, Altar 12th century, Gemmenich (B)
Three-Country Point: Boundary stones, highest point in the Netherlands, Baudouin Tower, Labyrinth