Vaalserberg

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Heerlen, Limburg, NL

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Route Overview

Chris Holland's Travels

Cycling in South Limburg, Netherlands and Beyond....

20 mi.

1,384 ft.

A moderately difficult route to climb Vaalserberg, the highest point in the Netherlands and where three countries meet.

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Route Details

This route will guide you to @photo[the scenic ascent to Vaalserberg](12348539) from the Belgian town of Gemmenich. Start and finish at the @poi[Zollmuseum Friedrichs](62797729) -- the border with Germany and the Netherlands. There is ample car parking at this location.

It's fair to say this is a hilly route with 422 metres of elevation gain in almost 33 km.  Therefore a moderate level of fitness is required. Two packed gravel sections are included in the route. @photo[Firstly a 2.4 km section](12348531) just after you set off and a further @photo[1.1 km section](12348553) towards the end of the route. Both are flat but should be negotiated with care as these are shared tracks with pedestrians/dog-walkers a common encounter.

As the route continues into the Netherlands, you will bypass the Dutch village of @point[Bocholtz](d,4016.3) on country lanes and paved cycle tracks. Briefly cross back to Germany, and then into the Netherlands, one more time, before climbing to the border with Belgium.

A quick descent before the final push to the summit. [Vaalserberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaalserberg) is the highest point in the Netherlands at 322.7 metres above sea level. It is also where @photo[Drielandenpunt](12348546) is @poi[located](62797733) - here the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet. Once at the top you will be rewarded with @photo[scenic views](12348542), especially if you go up either of the tall observation towers.

The @poi[first tower](62797731) you will encounter after the ascent is on the Belgian side and is known as @photo[the Boudewijntoren](12348524). The other @poi[tower](62797732), @photo[the Wilhelminatoren](12348547), is about a kilometre further on just before the road descends back to Vaals.

Enjoy the descent all the way to the Dutch/German border for the last leg of the adventure.

As always, take care and enjoy the ride...

Vaalserberg

Route Overview

Route Details

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