Through the Elmpterwald, Meinweg and along the Swalm on gravel roads

Last update 27-Dec-2021: after another gravel trip in the area, the route has been slightly adjusted in Swalmen and around Asenray and Boukoul. As a result, the share of unpaved roads has increased from 59% to 62%.

This gravel route is highly recommended because the Meinweg National Park and especially adjacent German forest areas (Diergardtscher Wald, Elmpter Wald) have kilometers of gravel roads (which are also good to cycle by road bike) with some climbs in it (sometimes short steep up to 12%). This route consists of 62% gravel roads and you follow clockwise, starting in Asselt.

You first get some gravel strips around the river Swalm, over slightly hilly terrain. Then you cycle through Swalmen, partly through a residential area (on the right) and the river Swalm on the left. Via a semi-paved road you cross the Swalm and then you dive into the municipal forests of Swalmen with gravel again, but now really long stretches and then continue on gravel after you have crossed the national border. In the German part there are also climbs (one short steep to 12%) and descents on gravel roads.

After this long gravel strip (6.5 km) you cycle briefly on the cycle path along the main road Swalmen - Brüggen and then you dive into rural areas south-east of Swalmen. After a few kilometers you go on gravel roads into the German forests (the Elmpter Wald), again a short steep climb, and later undulating gravel roads. This section is only briefly interrupted 2 times by asphalt roads. After passing the Melickerven, you cycle east on a gravel road that takes on a stony character further on. The stones are well stuck in the roadbed, but that is why this road is a little less comfortable for cycling (on many parts you can often avoid the stony part on the far right). Finally near the hamlet of Meinweg you come briefly on paved road (that is after 19 km of gravel roads with 2x a short break with asphalt roads), but soon you take a gravel road parallel to the asphalt road Meinweg. At the level of a forest, in case agricultural traffic has used the gravel road during rainy periods, this gravel road can be a bit worse.

You descend a Maasterras on paved road and then the route turns back to gravel roads to Vlodrop-Station (4 km gravel), the gravel roads are part of the cycle route network, but are wide. After a stretch of asphalt road, continue on unpaved cycle paths. These cycle paths are also part of the cycle route network and are somewhat narrower than the previous gravel roads, so in good weather you can find recreational bicycle traffic on your path. After almost 4 km of gravel cycle paths you will arrive on paved roads.

Before the visitor center of De Meinweg and associated holiday park you go again on gravel roads through the woods, interspersed with asphalt strips (crossing the Zandbergen and Melicker Heide (narrow gravel cycle path along sandy road)). You end up close to Roermond and then a few gravel roads come your way at Asenray and around Boukoul. Near Boukoul you also follow a cart track for 400 meters (unpaved non-gravel road with grass in the middle and on the sides). From Boukoul you cycle on paved roads past Hillenraad Castle to Asselt.

Due to the amount of gravel roads in this area, it is quite possible to make variations on this route with an even larger proportion of gravel roads than this route.