A Scenic Netherlands Cycle – From Maastricht to Aachen

11
Dec
2013

If you love cycling, chances are you have positive feelings towards The Netherlands.  Today, Seamus Murphy tells us about his ride from Maastricht to Aachen.  It’s a ride that Seamus tells me I must do one day….and here’s why.

Netherlands Cycling

A Scenic Cycle – From Maastricht to Aachen

 by Seamus Murphy

If you ever find yourself on a cycling trip through the southern half of the Netherlands, make sure you research the route between the charming Dutch city of Maastricht and the impressive German city of Aachen. Of course, there is a fast motorway connection between the two, but the winding back road is far more interesting and scenic. It will take you into the very heart of the Dutch province of Limburg, one of the country’s most remarkable regions. In contrast with the rest of the Netherlands, Limburg is hilly and more sparsely populated, making it unique. It’s the perfect place to broaden your life on and off the bike.

Maastricht Railway Station is a good starting point. From here, the city’s red and white Veolia buses trundle back and forth along the route to Aachen. If you ever get lost along the way, just follow the bus! Take Schamerweg and cross the tracks and head east before turning right onto Oranjeplein. Cycling in this old city is an absolute delight (apart from the bumpy cobblestones) and the infrastructure is exceptional. Cycling paths are well thought out and marked, complete with their own traffic lights.

The Netherlands is really a biker’s paradise. Take The   Hague for example, the seat of the Dutch government. In an area of 37 square miles, it has 229 miles of cycling paths and 43 miles of cycling lanes. Compare this with the United States – San Francisco is America’s most bike-friendly city with 5.6 miles of dedicated bike facilities per square mile, still well short of the Netherlands.

Netherlands Cycling

The only hazards on the cycle paths in and around Maastricht are hoards of students making their way to the city’s thriving university and those terribly annoying mopeds that are allowed utilise cycling paths for no apparent reason. If you smell petrol, hear a loud noise and then a blaring horn, move out of the way!

The going gets tough as soon as you hit Akersteenweg, a street that slowly increases its gradient as you leave the last buildings of Maastricht behind you. The Netherlands is renowned for being flat but once you cycle on Akersteenweg, you might wonder if you started your trip in Salzburg rather than Maastricht. Welcome to Limburg! It certainly is manageable, but if you feel tired, take a break and admire the view over the medieval city below you. On a warm summer’s day, it’s absolutely stunning. You can make out the steeples of the blood-red Saint Servatius Basilica on the Vrijthof square as well as the 11th century Basilica of Our Lady at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein.

The scenery along the route is quite impressive as well. Trees line both sides of the road and rolling green fields stretch as far as the eye can see. The slope finally levels out as soon as you reach the small town of Cadier en Keer. There’s nothing to see here apart from characterless redbrick houses and some auto dealerships, so it’s best to put your head down and plough on. As you leave the small town, you might spot an owl taking flight from some of the tall majestic trees lining the cycle path.

There isn’t too much going on in Margraten but if you take a left on Eijkerweg, you will reach the village of De Linde where a very unique cycling experience exists – cave biking. Here, you meet your guide 40 meters underground before exploring a dark labyrinth of marlstone tunnels with only your headlamp for illumination. It really is one of the more entertaining cycling experiences in Holland, though it is relatively expensive.

So back to Margraten. Apart from several quiet cafes and that splendid deviation, there is not too much to see.  The next town is a bit more interesting – Gulpen. There is a Romanesque tower dating from the 11th century and the town hall is also worth seeing – it was formerly a monastery. Perhaps most interesting of all to a tired and thirsty cyclist is the brewery, unmissable on the route between Maastricht and Aachen, home to Gulpener beer.

Founded in 1825 by Laurens Smeets, Gulpener makes a golden lager found throughout the Netherlands. You can join a tour of the brewery and sample one of the company’s 17 different beer variations. You’ll also learn about the ecological production process and the history of beer consumption in Limburg. Taking a break from a mid-summer cycling trip to drink a cold Gulpener is the truly the height of satisfaction. When you feel rested and refreshed, it’s time to return to the cycle lane.

As you exit the small village of Vaals, just before the German border, you’ll come across one of the uglier sites along the route – the village police station. While some architects might describe it as a reflection on the relationship between architecture and landscape, most sensible people would describe it as a horrific edifice. Basically, three boxes are joined together, adjacent to a long walkway jutting out over a green field. The building is grey, made from layers of zinc, concrete and wood. There are few windows and the whole structure is so depressing that you automatically increase the speed of your cycling to get away from it.

It’s an ugly end to a beautiful trip. As you approach the border, you’ll pass plenty of discount supermarkets where you can purchase cheap coffee and alcohol. Dutch supermarkets like Albert Heijn are usually clean and pleasant but the ones here, including the particularly shabby C1000 right at the border, are quite dated. However, you can still find exceptional bargains. Once you’ve finished shopping, it’s just a few more paces to the border and that blue ‘Bundesrepublik Deutschland’ sign. The well-planned red cycle lanes disappear and the architecture changes. Welcome to Germany and welcome to Aachen. Looking back towards the Netherlands, soak in the last of the Limburgian summer. Then head in the direction of the Aachener Dom where a whole new adventure awaits.

Seamus Murphy writes for Trenditionist.

Enjoy Your Ride
Pin It

3 Responses to “ A Scenic Netherlands Cycle – From Maastricht to Aachen ”

  1. gia yaris 2017 on January 4, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    When some one searches for his required thing, thus he/she desires to be available that in detail,
    therefore that thing is maintained over here.

  2. Minh Hoang on May 12, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    I just completed this cycle route today, and I feel foolish for not paying attention to the fact that this website is for serious cyclists. 🙂 It was a nice ride but definitely tough for someone who doesn’t cycle for sport. It took me four hours from Maastricht Central Station to Acchen Zentrum, of course with photo stops and a coffee break in Gulpen.

    The directions for the beginning could be a little more clear, but once you realize you’re following major roads, it’s not that difficult.

    I took the train back to Maastricht. The bus would have been more convenient, but I wasn’t sure if bikes were allowed on board. With the train, I had two layovers and had to pay to bring my bike on board. The bus follows the cycle route the author describes, which is the most direct.

  3. Arjuna on June 25, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Ciao Seamus,

    The trip you describe so charmingly on this webpage (“A Scenic Netherlands Cycle from Maastricht to Aachen”) is exactly what I need. I have mapped out a route from Zürich to Hamburg, first going up the Rhine, then turning left at Bad Breisig to Aachen, and from there I have been unable to find mapped routes from Aachen to Maastricht.

    Seamus, do you have a mapped route, for example on google maps, or somewhere, that would show this route and the streets/paths to take?

    Thanks and I hope you get this message,
    Arjuna

Calendar

    March 2024
    M T W T F S S
     123
    45678910
    11121314151617
    18192021222324
    25262728293031

Archives

Sugar Alternatives for Energy and Hydration

Question: I am using the homebrew sugar formulations (sometimes added to green tea).  I am also trying to wean myself off 1/2 dose adrenalean “lip tonic delivery system” (biorhythm brand- caffeine, hoodia g, synephrine, yohimbe) capsule for energy.

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out.  Have you tried either of these?  Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.

Sports Drink Homebrew

Please send us your questions for our Expert Sports Nutritionist, Kelli Jennings to “Ask the Sports Nutritionist“. Kelli Jennings is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for healthy eating, wellness, & sports nutrition. For more information go to www.apexnutritionllc.com.

Nutrition Tips