Experience the varied landscape of South Limburg from a holiday home in Epen!

South Limburg at its best! Few hikers exploring the hills around Epen would disagree! Panoramic views, half-timbered houses, old watermills and the fast-flowing river Geul take center stage when you set out from a holiday home in Epen. Do you want to explore South Limburg by bike? Enjoy the comfort of an e-bike or reward a steep climb with a panoramic terrace!

Walk through the Limburg hillside forests from your holiday home in Epen

A walking holiday is particularly rewarding in Epen, Limburg. Three different routes, ranging from a few kilometers to a more challenging 10-kilometer hike, lead you past springs and streams or along the Geul; a picturesque lifeline with a deeply carved riverbed. Follow the blue route for an adventurous hike with plenty of elevation, or take the green route. This is a 3-kilometer walk that leads through the village and past several brooks.

Take a walk from Epen to Mechelen

The river Geul winds like a graceful ribbon through the Geul Valley towards Mechelen. Follow the red markers for a hike that is manageable with average fitness. On arrival in Mechelen, after covering almost 6 kilometers, you’ll surely crave a slice of Limburg vlaai. The atmosphere of this village, with its half-timbered houses, is an extra reason to relax on a terrace! Consider making a detour via Mechelen or the lower route to the St. Martinus wine estate. Here you can taste local wines in the setting of rolling vineyards, perhaps paired with refined dishes. There’s also the option to join a guided tour or buy wine in the shop.

Cycle to the Wingbergerhoeve for artisan ice cream!

Cycling in South Limburg is an active adventure. For sporty types, this is a bonus, while those who prefer a leisurely ride will love the e-bike experience. Either way, during a cycling trip from a holiday home in Epen, you’ll want to pause to enjoy the views or a local treat. Already had your Limburg vlaai and craving ice cream? Head to the Wingbergerhoeve! Here you can order 14 different flavors of ice cream served in generous portions, sometimes with fresh fruit from the land, including strawberries, cherries or blueberries.

Plan a trip to Mosaqua and the pancake mill in Gulpen

Looking for activities that guarantee fun even when it rains? Keep in mind a day at Mosaqua swimming paradise in Gulpen! Thanks to its outdoor pool and mini-golf course, it’s also worth visiting in good weather. After a day of swimming, do you want to satisfy your hunger? At the white watermill, just a stone’s throw from the pool, you can sit down for a hearty meal! Here you can order the most unusual pancakes, from gyros pancakes to the “frikandel speciaal” pancake! Or how about an apple pie pancake with vanilla sauce and whipped cream, or one with coconut and chocolate?

Follow a hiking trail to Diependal from your holiday home in Epen

A landmark you’ll undoubtedly come across near Epen is the old Fulling Mill. Witness the traditional milling process during a demonstration and enjoy the sloping landscape with white half-timbered houses in the distance. You’ll find even more mills along the blue walking trail from Epen to Diependal, as well as the picturesque hamlets of Terziet and Diependal. Woodland edges, hedgerows and rolling meadows with grazing cows alternate, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can see! Beyond Terziet, you’ll reach the Belgian border, with hillside forests in the Netherlands and Beusdael Castle just across the border!

Cross the border to Teuven

Want to discover more hidden gems in the Belgian Voer region? Within just a few kilometers of cycling you’ll reach Teuven, a picturesque hamlet surrounded by several sights close together. The first thing you’ll notice is St. Peter’s Church rising above the landscape. Follow the Gulp River south and you’ll arrive at Notre Dame Castle. A short walk around the castle, along the forest edge and through sunken lanes, brings you to a beautiful viewpoint over Teuven and the former abbey. Looking for a terrace to start or end your route? Order a drink in the charming courtyard of Café Moeder de Gans, which is also a starting point for several hiking trails.

Tip: Combine the walk past the aforementioned Beusdael Castle with the Geuldal viewpoint. From here you’ll have a magnificent view over the expansive rolling hills and the little castle in the valley.

Visit Mheer Castle and Eijsden Castle along the Maas

On the Dutch side of the border region, castles also adorn the landscape. In the village of Mheer, you’ll find a beautiful example of a Renaissance castle. This red-brown castle has various types of towers, stepped gables and a dry moat. The castle itself is not open for visits, but the walk through the estate and the village with its half-timbered houses more than makes up for it! Park your bike or car at De Smidse tavern for a coffee and choose one of the hiking routes starting here.

Want to venture a little further by car or have more energy as a cyclist? Then also plan a visit to Eijsden Castle, one of the most prominent castles in South Limburg, featuring formal gardens, woodland and a tree-lined driveway!

Rent a holiday home in Epen

The Geul Valley near Epen is one of the most beloved hiking areas in the Netherlands! The river of the same name, with its steep banks, winds through a landscape that balances wide valleys and wooded hills. In South Limburg, you’ll also enjoy regional wines and Limburg vlaai in rustic villages. Be sure to try the ice cream creations at the Wingbergerhoeve or the ice cream pancakes at the watermill in Gulpen! Whatever you choose to do in South Limburg, from a holiday home in Epen you’ll enjoy a true Burgundian holiday close to home!