The 3 Most Amazing Peaks around Riemst

Almost all paths to the top are interesting to run.

Sint Pietersberg is a plateau near the Dutch city of Maastricht. Beneath it are huge chalk quarries.

There is plenty to do in and around the Lieteberg Visitor Center. Take off your shoes and let your toes tingle during an adventurous trip on Flanders' most beautiful barefoot path. Hills, ladders, water and mud, ... fun guaranteed for everyone. Walked out? Dive into the Entomopolis insect museum and be surprised by the world of insects, bees and butterflies. Then look for native gems in the flowery Butterfly Garden. The best way to enjoy it is on the beautiful grass terrace of the cafeteria with a refreshing honey beer and delicious Limburg pie! (VisitLimburg)

NB, The much-mentioned “Hidden Valley” is a forbidden area. The organization that designed the Dutch Mountain Trail never asked permission from the Dutch and Belgian landowners. You walk through vulnerable forest reserves and Nature 2000 areas. It could be a very expensive expedition if you meet a Forest Ranger. It's a shame that Dutch Mountain Trail does not take the outdoor code seriously. It is a beautiful but very vulnerable area. Natuur Monumenten has placed a sign when you enter their area. Follow that indication and you will reach the top of the Observant via legal paths. From then on, the Dutch Mountain Trail runs on regular paths.

The view from D'n Observant with its star-shaped viewing platform and highest point of +170.8 m NAP is absolutely amazing. Here you can definitely feel like you are really in the mountains. When we went this week we certainly had no problems looking in all directions without the slightest obstruction. Depending on where you come from there are also beautiful views during your climb/descent. You can see the Maas valley, the ENCI quarry, the Jeker valley and the point where the Albert Canal and Maas meet. The vegetation on the way here in the spring is also very beautiful. Although it may feel like it, the hill is not natural. It was constructed with top soil from the quarry mentioned. On top of the limestone there was a top layer of 15 meters on average that was unusable and between 1939 and 1967 D'n Observant was planted with trees and shrubs to prevent the landfill from sliding and washing away. Today it is a very popular destination for hikers, runners and mountain bikers. It is also doable for the less experienced hiker and the effort is certainly rewarded by the view. Source about the construction and the hill itself: https://www.enci-gebied.nl/recreatie/dn-observant Under d'n Observant lies a largely collapsed limestone quarry, the Zuidelijk Gangenstelsel; the support pillars have given way due to the weight of the raised soil. An underground smuggling route from the Netherlands to Belgium once ran here. More: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27n_Observant

Too bad there was no view through the trees

Unfortunately the picture at waypoint 5 is misleading. At least as of today, November 8th, 2022, there is no longer a lookout tower

Beautiful descent, demanding climb, known from the Amstel Gold Race ...