The best MTB trails around Venekotensee

Beautiful cycle path

A wire mesh over the boards prevents slipping in wet weather.

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.

In Nationaal Park De Meinweg you will find an important railway heritage, the old IJzeren Rijn railway line. This is a historic railway route that was once one of the most important international railway connections and runs right through the area. Nowadays it is disused and sustainably integrated into the landscape, but the tracks are still clearly recognizable and walkable. The IJzeren Rijn (German: Eisenbahn Rhein) was originally a railway line that led from the port of Antwerp (Belgium) via Weert and Roermond to Mönchengladbach and the Ruhr area (Germany). The line was built between 1879 and 1880 as an important freight connection for the supply of cotton and industrial products to the Rhine and Ruhr areas. Due to political and economic circumstances, the track regularly changed its use and intensity, but it remained in operation for a long time with, among other things, double-track sections. Throughout the 20th century, the use of the IJzeren Rijn declined. In the Netherlands, the line was still used as a single track after the Second World War until the last regular train service between Roermond and Dalheim stopped around 1991. After that, the railway line on that section was taken out of use and fell into disrepair. However, the remaining rails, track beds and alignments were never completely dismantled in the part that runs through De Meinweg, and parts of the alignment are still in the park and are recognizable as old railway lines, overgrown with vegetation and integrated into walking paths. In Nationaal Park De Meinweg, you can freely walk and cycle on this old railway route. Remnants of the alignment itself are visible in the landscape as long straight lines through forest and heathland, and in some places you can even find remnants of rails or track beds. There are various walks around and over this route, including routes that start at Herkenbosch Centrum and cross the old track, where the small bridge and level crossings are part of the experience of the terraced landscape. The track has thus become not only a natural element incorporated by flora and fauna, but also a cultural-historical heritage. The old IJzeren Rijn illustrates how De Meinweg is not only a natural landscape, but also a place where old infrastructure, history, and nature meet.

There are nice paved sand paths on the Meinweg

Go and be enchanted!

Beautiful old bridge in Tegelen. Have you gotten up to take a picture of the swans yet?

View towards Belfeld, Netherlands