The temptation was great to revisit the National Park Hoge Kempen, but between the Maas and the Zuid-Willemsvaart we discovered a particularly beautiful route along water and open green spaces.

Text and photo Chris Van Minnebruggen

The church square of Vucht is quiet in the morning, and café Oud Vucht only attracts visitors when you return from this walk through the RivierPark Maasvallei. Biking is popular here, but we mainly walk on gravel and dirt. First from the Maasbeemder Greend in the nature reserve Maaswinkel to the picturesque Mazenhoven. And even though parts of the castle of Count Charles Vilain XIIII have seen better days, it is worth lingering for a moment by the impressive collection of trees in his English landscape garden.

Just a bit further, you enter the particularly well-maintained and pleasant center of Leut

with its neo-Romanesque St. Peter’s Church and some cafés where walkers are very welcome.

Arriving at the Zuid-Willemsvaart, you will be surprised by the Kruinenpad. While walking among the treetops, you’ll learn how mining thoroughly transformed the landscape. Or get chills from the story of the Old Neuks who dealt with the Water Witch of the Greven.

Pasar 2019/10 – Last route check 2019/8

The route

Next to the church of Vucht in the Dorpsstraat (V) (1), turn right onto Steegstraat. At walking switch (WW) 95, turn right onto the gravel path. Turn left to fork and at the intersection with the bike path, go straight on. At the split, turn right and at the next split turn left. At WW 94, go straight along the Maasbeemder Greend (2) and continue over the cattle grid. After WW 93, turn left at the fork. Again over a cattle grid and turn right to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Victory (3). Turn left onto Steenakkerstraat and just before house number 117, turn right. After 75 meters at the fork, turn left and immediately right onto the forest path. You will then walk next to the slope for cyclists. Again, turn right to fork, and when you exit that wide curve, turn left onto the gravel. At WW 86 and the large summer oak, turn left towards Castle Vilain XIIII with landscape park (4). Walk around the castle and leave the domain over the cobblestone bridge opposite the Castle court. At WW 85, turn left to St. Peter’s Church (5) of Leut. Enter Genieskensstraat at Walking Café De Heerlyckheyt and further on, turn right onto Geisterweg. At the split, turn left, still on Geisterweg. At WW 89, turn left onto the asphalt of Kuilenweg. At the intersection, turn right, back to Genieskensstraat. Cross the N78 and go straight onto the gravel, later dirt road. Where the main road bends, stay straight on the narrow path into the woods and later up the stairs. At the T-junction, turn left and follow along the Zuid-Willemsvaart. After 50 meters, you will reach the Kruinenpad (6). Turn left and follow the wooden path to the end. If you’ve taken a look at the tower, then go back all the way down to the ground floor. Open the door and turn left. Through the residential area and at an intersection, continue straight into Populierenstraat until you reach the canal. Go under the bridge and turn left following the asphalt, away from the towpath. Continue straight into Brugstraat until you reach the St. Anthony's Chapel (7). Turn right to your starting point.