The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Bemelerberg & Schiepersberg

The text reads: "Dae uuch leef haet mie es iech, hauw dae gerös mie leef es miech " Or: "Die u lief heeft meer dan mij heb die gerust meer lief dan mij " In Cadier en Keer, the roadside crosses are decorated with a beautiful flower wreath every year just before Easter. Corona Year: In connection with the well-known c-crisis, the Crosses and Chapels department of VTN has opted for bouquets this year; easy to make and attach by a few people. They are no longer allowed to work in their premises, so the relevant people have made these bouquets in the garden (30 pieces). As an example, we take the cast-iron grave cross that stands at the intersection of the Eckelraderweg with the unpaved Dorrenweg. Source/info: https://veldkruus.nl/kruisVdMnd.php?dtm=2021-04-01

Wooden cross https://veldkruus.nl/kruis.php?kr=989 On the corner of Limburgerstraat and Beatrixstraat stands a wooden cross, a kite-shaped cross with a body. The inscription reads: "Iech deenk aan dich, deenks dich dan aan mich" (I think of you, then think of me). This wayside cross was placed by the Os Straot neighborhood association. This neighborhood association was founded in 1986 at the initiative of Liza and Chrit Hogenboom. The wood for the wayside cross was donated by Donny Troisfontaine. Eddy George made the cross. The crucifix was donated by Richard Reinders. The inscription was made by Peter Soudant. The cross was blessed by Pastor Jan van Frankenhuijsen on a Friday in September 1999 at 7:00 PM to commemorate the 12 1/2 anniversary of the neighborhood association. A wooden wayside cross once stood here at the intersection of Limburgerstraat and a field path (currently Beatrixstraat). When Beatrixstraat was constructed, there was no longer room for the cross. The cross was stored for a while at Sjef Spronck's (master Spronck). His daughter Marie-José then took it to Valkenburg. This wayside cross currently stands in Valkenburg. Source: Historical Society Cadier en Keer https://www.kruisenenkapellenlimburg.nl/houten-kruis Photo: MoWa (2008) Specifications Year of construction/installation: 1999 Material: Wood

A tiny hamlet with such beautiful houses and farms!

The castle of Sint Gerlach has not been a mansion with castle allure for very long. It was only converted into a castle/mansion in the nineteenth century. As often happened after the French rule and also here after the dissolution of the religious origin. The domain and the buildings started as a double monastery (men and women) and soon after a foundation (only women) of the Norbertines. It dates from the twelfth century. There is, among other things, a main building, a coach house, a manor farm and a former leasehold farm, also known as Hoeve Broers. The original monastery and the church with treasury and sanctuary came about with the canonization of the hermit Gerlachus. The entire complex is part of the Geul & Maas estate and the current luxury hotel with wellness/spa, conference rooms and restaurant, surrounded by a famous sculpture garden (Kunst in Valkenburg) and with the Ingendael nature reserve as a rear neighbor, came after the takeover by hotelier Camille Oostwegel, who was born in Houthem.

The water tower, known as the Giant of Schimmert, is a designated national monument and is quite unique both historically and architecturally. Its architectural style (architect Jos Wielders was inspired by the Amsterdam School), its history (the restaurant, among other things, existed until the Second World War), and its current use are well worth exploring. Nearby, you'll find an information board ("Meet the locals") that tells more about this last point. It's about entrepreneur Nico Eurelings, who, as a boy, said he would buy that water tower if he could. And he did. It has become an experience center and marketplace for regional products, with the motto "Food and drink as far as the eye can see." Unfortunately, it's currently inaccessible due to construction work (and the shop was closed). But it's worth seeing, and there's more heritage nearby. The entire current project also won a sustainability award. Besides its nickname in the local dialect, "De Reusch" is also the name of the experience center that Eurelings and his team created.

In the heart of the Ingendael nature reserve, flanked by the Geul, lies the centuries-old Château St. Gerlach. As secret corners reveal themselves, you are overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of the former monastery and farm. The estate houses a hotel with rooms, suites, residences, two restaurants, spa & wellness, a swimming pool and the St. Gerlach Pavilion & Kasteelhoeve. A unique place where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

You can't really see what's around the corner, so it's a good time to practice "next to".

Your dog may get away, but this is a nice area to practice off-leash walking.