Limburg was the first liberated in the whole of the Netherlands during the Second World War, but that does not mean that you cannot commemorate the war in this part of the country. Here, too, the war has left its mark. This bike tour takes you along a number of impressive places in South Limburg that have to do with war and liberation.

The starting point of this route is the American cemetery in Margraten. This is the only American cemetery in the whole of the Netherlands. You first cycle south past Banholt, Mheer and Noorbeek.

The route takes you through the beautiful Belgian town of Voeren, after which you arrive in the southernmost village of the Netherlands: Mesch. From here you cycle along the impressive Heuvelland back to Margraten, where you start the north loop towards Schimmert, Valkenburg, Genhout, Spaubeek, Neerbeek, Beek. Here you will find the War Museum Eyewitness, a real must-see for history lovers! Finally, you cycle back via Genhout and Hulsberg towards Valkenburg, after which the route takes you back to the starting point in Margraten.

White crosses as far as you can see
The starting point of this cycle route is located in the center of Margraten, a stone's throw from a well-known place in South Limburg to commemorate the war: the American cemetery in Margraten. This is the only American cemetery in the whole of the Netherlands. More than 8,000 soldiers have been given their final resting place here after they died in the war. The seemingly endless rows of white crosses are extremely impressive to see. Take the time to look around here at your leisure and take in all the impressions.

Mesch: the first liberated village in the Netherlands
Then the route takes you to the area south of Margraten. You cycle a bit through Belgium and through the southernmost village of the Netherlands: Mesch. This picturesque church village was the first to be liberated in the Second World War. In addition, some people will recognize the church and the surroundings of Mesch from the well-known TV series 'Diary of a Sheepdog'. The Sint-Pancratius church is partly 9th-century and the oldest stone building in the Netherlands.

Becoming an eyewitness to the war
In Beek you will find the War Museum Eyewitness Beek. In this museum you will become an eyewitness to the Second World War through lifelike dioramas with films, photos and sound effects. All kinds of wartime attributes are also exhibited here. A real must-see if you want to learn more about this part of history.

Explore the Hills of Limburg
From Beek you cycle on to Geleen, Spaubeek, Hulsberg and Klimmen to get back to Valkenburg and finally to the starting point in Margraten. In this area you can enjoy the beautiful green hill country for which South Limburg is known. Occasionally that is a lot of climbing on your two-wheeler, but the views you get in return are absolutely worth it.

You can park and start at the Amerikaplein in Margraten.

You can also choose to divide the route into two day trips, namely in the long north loop of about 60 kilometers and the shorter south loop of about 31 kilometers.

Long North Loop Node List: 70-67-68-60-40-61-63-20-21-22-12-37-114-113-22-13-98-95-94-62-35-90-56-36-59-39-60-68-69-70
Short South Loop Node List:70-71-82-81-430-431-100-80-72-71-70

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.