The best MTB trails in Wandelpark Tegelen

Keverberg Castle is a historic castle in the village of Kessel in the province of Limburg. The castle stands on an artificial hill along the River Maas and is one of the oldest fortresses in the Netherlands. The castle's origins date back to around the year 1000. At that time, there was initially a watchtower on an artificial hill, a so-called motte. The tower had an important function because it overlooked the Maas and a major trade route between Antwerp and Cologne. Ships and merchants traveling along this route were required to pay tolls. The Counts of Kessel used this site as their residence and a defensive point. From the castle, they governed a large area in North Limburg and parts of present-day Germany. In 1279, the castle was sold to Reinald I, the Count of Gelre. The last Count of Kessel had to sell the territory due to financial problems. As a result, Kessel came under the authority of the Duchy of Gelre. Later, the castle changed owners several more times. Families such as the Van Merwijck and later the Van Keverberg family lived there. Eventually, the last noble resident gave up the castle in the 19th century. Afterward, the building was used by cloister nuns, among others. During the Second World War, the castle was severely damaged. In 1944, retreating German soldiers blew up the castle due to its strategic location. After the war, only a ruin remained for a long time. The castle remained a ruin for decades. It was not until the 21st century that the decision was made to rebuild the castle. It was restored between 2014 and 2015. During this restoration, the old architectural style was combined with modern materials such as glass and steel. As a result, it has become a remarkable castle where history and modern architecture come together.

View towards Belfeld, Netherlands

great area we recommend 👊 will come again no question

great area we recommend 👊 will come again no question

Great trails, but for a while now there's been a lot of sand, which makes the descents spongy. I don't know if this is intentional, so the trails aren't used anymore. It would definitely be better without the sand.

Very nice area… Free parking nearby absolutely recommendable, again that’s clear 😉

Nice

Kasteel Hillenraad has the appearance of a seventeenth or eighteenth-century building, but its core is older. The castle is first mentioned in archival documents in 1380 and was then owned by the nobleman Dirk van Oost. He came from Oost Castle near Maastricht and was somehow related to the lords of Swalmen. He is mentioned in Swalmen from 1379 and shortly thereafter also bought the ancestral seat of the lords of Swalmen, which is now known as the Ouborg. Since then, Hillenraad has always remained in the family. However, the family sometimes took on a different name through inheritance in the female line. The original building had a round tower at the back. In the seventeenth century, this had to make way for the addition of a large hall. Later, two wings were added to the sides and finally, in the eighteenth century, four towers were added at the corners. After the French period, the castle was no longer inhabited by the family and fell into considerable disrepair. When Count Herman Wolff Metternich (1887-1956) inherited Hillenraad in 1909, he began a major restoration. He saved the castle from ruin. Source and more info: https://www.archiefroermond.nl/nl/roermonds-verleden/verhalen/een-andere-geschiedenis/prachtige-plekjes/kasteel-hillenraad There are information boards near the castle and you can see quite a bit from the outside. The stately avenues in the forest are also connected to the castle, and there is also something to discover there. More about the Hillenrader Bossen at https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/7695125