Chalk walk loop 1 – In the trail of the block breakers

It's hard to imagine how centuries of underground marl mining can change an area. On this walking route through the Geuldal you follow in the footsteps of the block breakers. These were the men who expertly sawed the marl out of the earth and pryed it loose. They created many more marl quarries than the well-known ones in which tours are given. There are a total of 250 in the whole of South Limburg.

Along this route you will encounter a lot of them: small underground quarries where bats hibernate and large open-cast quarries where the rarest plant and animal species enjoy the tranquility and microclimate. Marl is not mined anywhere along the route, but the traces of this centuries-old tradition are fully visible, sometimes well hidden and sometimes not to be missed. Although the quarries are ostensibly similar, they each reveal their own stories along the route.

Please note: this route is not signposted in the field. Via this link you can purchase a booklet with further description of the route.

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

A complete hiking map with many dozens of other hiking trails in this region is easy to order via www.visitzuidlimburg.nl/webshop.