Mill Route through South Limburg

MILL ROUTE through SOUTH LIMBURG [Total length approx. 40 km]

Mostly flat route through the Geul and Gulp valleys with the exception of a few short climbs and a long "false flat"; this cycling route follows the node network of South Limburg as much as possible.

The route is shaped like a loop, so you can start and end at any point.

STARTING POINT is node 5 of the South Limburg node network. This is located behind the windmill between Gronsveld and Maastricht (Rijksweg 90).

For drivers, there is a free parking option on the other side; Address: Rijksweg 70, 6228 XZ Maastricht (about 200 m along the Rijksweg towards Maastricht).
A free parking lot with catering can be found at the restaurant and playground “De Dwaze Herder”. This is located about 1 km along the Rijksweg towards Gronsveld, behind the roundabout and the gas station (open daily).

Train travelers can leave Maastricht-Centraal Station on the left and cycle via node 79 (behind the station at the Koepelkerk) and 6 to node 5 (you just need to follow the green node signs towards the next node).

Route description:

Depart at node 5 (= from now on KP 5) in a northern direction and follow the signs towards KP 6.

Near KP 5 is the windmill of Gronsveld. Built between 1618 and 1623, it belongs to the type “tower windmill,” of which only four remain in our country. This mill is listed in the Top 100 of the most important monuments in the Netherlands. The mill can be visited every first and third Saturday of the month from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. (Tel.: 043-3614721). More information can be found at: www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=416

Follow northwards over KP 6 the signs to KP 7 and KP 9.

Right after KP 9 you will find the “Oil Mill” around the corner to the left at the foot of the hill, whose wheel was set on fire during World War II due to an error by the American military. (See the description on the sign at the mill).

Follow the signs from KP 9 to KP 104 and KP 64.

At KP 64 is the “Geulhemermolen.” This was built in the 16th century at a site where a watermill already existed in 1234. The mill operated as a grain mill until around 1960. The mill wheel is still visible at the back, and the old grinding floor is now set up as a dining area called “De Meule.” More information can be found at: www.geulhemermolen.nl

Follow the signs from KP 64 to KP 102, KP 61, KP 40, and KP 60 (in Valkenburg).

From KP 60, turn left and follow the signs through the center of Valkenburg to KP 39.

Mill lovers can briefly leave the node route at two points (and return via the same road):

1. After the traffic light, turn right onto the first street, on Lindenlaan at No. 30-32 is “De Fransche Molen,” a former grain mill of the undershot type that is now used as a restaurant.

2. Just before KP 59, you can also turn right into Sint Pieterstraat at No. 2-4 to find the “Molen van Schijns,” which is a so-called turbine mill.

Follow signs from KP 39 to KP 59.

Right next to Castle Schaloen lies the “Sjaloensmeule,” built between 1661 and 1665. This is a so-called Ban mill. For further explanations, see the sign on the facade.

Now follow the route towards KP 58 and KP 85. In Wijlre, turn right at the first fork.

The first (non-ending) street on the right is “Molengats,” leading to a beautiful watermill, the “Mühle Otten,” which has now been converted into holiday apartments. A hiking path to a lovely spot goes through a wooden fence on the left, where the double mill wheel can be well seen.

Now continue along this node route to Gulpen and follow the signs (in Gulpen, turn right immediately) towards KP 85.

After crossing the busy road in Gulpen, follow the signs towards KP 85.

A little further along the right side of the route is the “Pancake Mill.” This watermill dates back to 1712 and has the largest middle scoop wheel in the Netherlands. Originally, this was a paper mill, which was converted into a grain mill in 1853 and named after the neighboring castle: “Die Neubourgermolen.” More info at: www.depannekoekenmolen.nl

Turn around at KP 85 and return to the crossing point of the Rijksweg and continue straight after crossing the main road.

Over a long climb (the “Ingber Grachtweg”), you will reach the plateau of Margraten. Now continue to follow the signs to KP 69.

From KP Scheulder, we follow the signs to KP 68 and KP 67.

Directly after KP 68, we pass the “Van Tienhovenmolen” on the right side of the road. This mountain mill made of marl stone from 1855 is owned by Limburgs Landschap. The mill has a new grinding mechanism since 2001 and can be visited every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from March to November between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. There will be a miller available to tell you about the mill, and there is also a small exhibition about the wild hamster (“Korenwolf”).

Turn right at KP 67 (along Groeve ’t Rooth) [this is also the LF6b route] and take the steep descent to KP 65.

From KP 65 (= towards GOLF), follow the signs towards KP 66 (in Cadier and Keer).

Turn right at KP 66 and follow the signs to KP 5 and descend the hill to KP 5.

Here lies the tower windmill of Gronsveld, the starting and ending point of this MILL ROUTE.

Tip: Write the numbers of the nodes on a label or plaster and stick it on your handlebars. You will then hardly need a map or directions along the way. This is the order:

5 -> 6 -> 7 -> 9 -> 104 -> 64 -> 102 -> 61 -> 40 -> 60 ->

39 -> 59 -> 58 -> 85 <-> 69 -> 68 -> 67 -> 65 -> 66 -> 5.

You can download the GPX track of the route below (middle button with arrow).

For a longer version of this mill route, click here.