38 - 84 - 54 - 63 - 60 - 53 - 52 - 22 - 24 - 58 - 89 - 91 - 81 - 38 - 87 - 21 - 20 - 18 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 38 - 42 - 29 - 19 - 73 - 96 - 81 - 38

These flint walking routes in Eijsden-Margraten take you past traces of flint around Mheer, Banholt, Mesch, and Libeek. Through walking junctions, you can follow the story of flint in two loops: from its formation to extraction and use in homes and tools.

Loop 1 (6.8 km) heads towards Banholt and is suitable for every hiker. Junctions: 38 - 84 - 54 - 63 - 60 - 53 - 52 - 22 - 58 - 89 - 81 - 38

Loop 2 (10.3 km) leads towards Mesch and has more elevation changes. Junctions: 38 - 87 - 21 - 20 - 18 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 38 - 42 - 29 - 19 - 73 - 96 - 81 - 38

During the walk, you will discover how flint originated millions of years ago on the bottom of a primeval sea. In the calcium-rich marl, irregular flint layers have formed, often in ancient burrows of crayfish. Flint played an important role in prehistory: hunter-gatherers and later farmers made tools and weapons from it. In Eijsden-Margraten, traces of flint extraction are visible in quarries, fields, and even in buildings at more than thirty locations. A walk through landscape and history.

Both routes are not suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

Want to hike more in this region?
A complete hiking map with many other walking routes is available through the webshop of Visit Zuid-Limburg and at the VVV shops. Comments or additions about this route can be sent to routepunt@visitzuidlimburg.nl.