The best traffic-free bike rides around Sittard-Geleen

The stables of the old moated castle Schloss Geulle, demolished in 1850, have been converted into comfortable accommodation with elegantly landscaped gardens within the moat. Guest rooms with fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, bicycles and free Wi-Fi. Numerous golf courses and excellent Michelin-starred restaurants in the surrounding area.

Near Dilsen-Stokkem (Belgium), in the cross-border nature reserve along the Meuse Valley around the De Wissen Visitor Center and the Negenoord-Kerkeweerd nature reserve, you'll regularly encounter Konik horses in the open floodplains and grasslands, along with other large grazers such as Galloway cattle. These horses are not domesticated pets, but are part of a consciously implemented nature management program aimed at keeping the river landscape as naturally dynamic and biodiverse as possible. The Konik horses here live freely in the floodplains and river landscapes year-round. Their presence is functional: grazing, they cut down the grass and maintain open grasslands. In places where cattle primarily keep shrubs and young trees short, the horses also ensure that herbs, flowers, and short grass are preserved. This combination allows these large grazers to create a diverse patchwork of open areas, coarse grasses, herb-rich thickets, and vegetated edges—exactly what many plant and animal species need to thrive. In the area around Stokkem, you often hear from local guides like the MaasVerkenner that you'll almost always see these horses during a walk, especially on the paths around the old Meuse branches and small lakes of Negenoord. These grazers are an important part of the river landscape experience, and they naturally regulate grazing management, allowing the landscape to develop into a rich ecosystem with countless bird species, insects, and plants that are rare elsewhere in Limburg. Hikers and nature lovers can often observe the Konik horses from the trails around De Wissen and the breeding banks of the Meuse. Because they are wild animals, it is advised to always keep a distance, not feed them, and not disturb their natural behavior. If you're lucky, you might see them grazing peacefully in the morning light or among colorful, herbaceous meadows—an impressive example of how nature management and ecology go hand in hand in this part of the Meuse Valley.

Limbricht Castle is one of the oldest and most impressive castles in the Dutch province of Limburg, located in the village of Limbricht, which is part of the municipality of Sittard-Geleen. The castle's history dates back to before 1100, and over the centuries it has served not only as a stronghold and residence for noble families, but also as a military hospital and prison, and since the 20th century, as a cultural monument and event venue. The castle's rich development reflects the turbulent history of South Limburg itself. A fortified residence was likely built on the site where the current castle stands in the early Middle Ages. In the 11th century, the first constructions of a motte-and-bailey castle arose here: a wooden tower on an artificial hill (called a motte), surrounded by a moat and protected by a farmyard and small churches. During this early period, the castle was an important center of power in the region. Around 1200, the wooden tower was replaced by a stone keep (a fortified tower that served as a residential tower). Fragments of this oldest stone layer can still be found in the cellar vaults of the current castle. Moreover, medieval sources (such as those mentioning the Lords of Lemborch) indicate that the castle already represented a local power at that time. The most important phase in the castle's construction occurred in the 17th century. In 1619, Baron Nicolaas van Breyll inherited the free lordship of Limbricht and, around 1622, commissioned the construction of the current Renaissance castle on the enlarged motte. Around 1630, a large outer bailey was constructed, giving the complex its current structure. A central castle on a surrounding moat was connected to a spacious outer bailey with outbuildings. The castle is a rare example of a motte-and-bailey castle in the Netherlands, a fortified residence with a moat and four wings surrounding a courtyard from which the Lords of Limbricht controlled their land and rights. The structure displays 17th-century Maasland Renaissance features, with window frames made of Namur stone and the expanse of the hill on which it rests. In 1955, the Limbricht Castle Foundation purchased the castle and its outer bailey, and later also the nearby medieval St. Salvius Church, which boasts a 13th-century mural and remains one of the Top 100 Dutch UNESCO monuments. From that point on, a thorough restoration was initiated to preserve and restore the complex for future generations. From the 1960s and 1970s onward, major restoration work took place, consolidating and restoring the castle and outer bailey so that they are not only historically valuable but also functionally usable for contemporary purposes. Since 2017, the estate's operations have entered a new phase under the leadership of the Entertrain Group. Since then, the centuries-old castle has become not only a historical monument but also a vibrant center for hospitality events, weddings, business meetings, tours, and overnight stays in a luxurious B&B setting. The complex combines heritage with modern hospitality, allowing visitors to actively experience history. The castle is listed as a national monument under number 33751 due to its historical and architectural significance within the Netherlands. Today, visitors can experience the estate in various ways. The Tasting Room in the outer bailey offers a culinary experience using fresh regional products, and there are guided tours and audio tours that bring the rich history to life with stories of castle lords, soldiers, kitchen staff, and other figures from times past. The tours take you through cellar vaults, dungeons, and rooms steeped in centuries of history. In addition, the castle is an attractive location for weddings, business events, workshops, and group activities, including wine tastings and other cultural programs that combine history and experience. Overnight stays are available in stylish rooms or in the characteristic Gatekeeper's House, allowing guests not only to visit but also to stay amidst historic grandeur with modern comforts.

It's lovely to cycle here on the dike. There's always something to see on either side, and the people you meet are very friendly and seem happy. It must be the beautiful surroundings.

Quite nice landscape in the corner

Beautiful cycle path along the Wurm.

nice long cycle path over bridges

nice to see the young calves suckling from their mother