Gulperberg & Eyserberg

On this walk, you will walk from hilltop to hilltop: the Gulperberg and the Eyserberg. At both summits, you have magnificent views. And in between, the landscape is just as beautiful: a monastery, typical Limburg farms, footpaths across fields, sunken roads, orchards, an old railway line, and the idyllic Eyserbeek.

WHAT MAKES THIS ROUTE SPECIAL

unprecedented variety: every kilometer is different

2 viewpoints: on the Gulperberg and on the Eyserberg

the former route of the Miljoenenlijntje

the idyllic Eyserbeek, where you can find traces of beavers

The stories behind this walking route

MARY STATUE

At the top of the Gulperberg stands an impressive statue of Mary. The 13 m high monument can be seen from far and wide. The symbolism is clear: how important the Virgin Mary is to the Catholic population. On the pedestal, it is written: All generations will call me blessed. The Mary monument was built in 1935. The blessing was preceded by a procession attended by tens of thousands of people.

MONASTERY OF WITTEM

The monastery of the Redemptorists is known as a place of pilgrimage. Every year, about 200,000 pilgrims come to light a candle for Saint Gerard Majella. Gerard was a simple monk who meant a lot to the poor population. The spiritual life of the congregation is centered around Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

NEIGHBORHOOD CARTILS

In the neighborhood of Cartils, there are some examples of typical Limburg farms. These carrée farms in half-timbered style show that the owners were prosperous in the past. Instead of clay, bricks were used. The ‘speklagen’ in the farms also reflect the wealth of the inhabitants. The name Cartils comes from Latin (cortile = courtyard). Up until the 4th century AD, the Romans populated the plateau and cultivated the lands with grain.

MILJOENENLIJNTJE

During this walk, you will cross the Miljoenenlijntje twice. This railway was built in the 1920s. Initially, the route ran between Simpelveld and Schaesberg (now Landgraaf). To keep the railway at the same height in the hilly landscape, a tremendous amount of earth had to be moved. This cost millions of guilders, hence the name Miljoenenlijntje. The section between Simpelveld and Kerkrade was discontinued in 1988; the line from Kerkrade to Landgraaf still exists.
In 1995, a restart took place: a tourist steam train began operating on the Kerkrade-Simpelveld route. Moreover, this route was extended: via Wijlre and Schin op Geul to Valkenburg.