THE HIVE GUIDE TO VALKENBURG AND THE ... - BrunssumBrits

THE RHEINDAHLEN HIVE GUIDE TO
VALKENBURG
AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
Valkenburg is situated in South Limburg the most southerly province of
Holland. It is a small area bounded by Belgium and Germany. Unusually for
Holland it is an area of rolling hills and yellow marlstone buildings and has
been a favourite holiday destination for the Dutch since the first railway station
in the Netherlands was opened there in 1853 and the Maastrict-Aachen line
was completed. It was the location of the very first DutchTourist Information
Office. The town centre boasts historic buildings, pleasant tourist shops and
pavement cafes. It is often referred to as ‘Bad Valkenburg’ or the ‘Marlstone
Town’. Valkenburg is 80kms form JHQ via Roermond and 90kms by
motorway via Aachen. Driving directions at the back of this brochure.
These are some of the attractions you may like to visit in the area. They are
well signposted from the town centre.
Velvet Cave and Castle Ruins. The Velvet Cave , originally an ancient
seabed you can experience the world of the Limburg marlstone workers.
During the war the cave served as a shelter with a chapel and field hospital.
Wall paintings and carvings still tell this story today. You will be led, via secret
underground corridors, to the ruins of the castle on the heights, the only
citadel of its kind in the Netherlands, which dominated Valkenburg and the
surrounding countryside for centuries. From the castle terrace you can enjoy
the splendid panorama over the Geul Valley. An annual Christmas Market is
held in the caves during advent.
www.kasteelvalkenburg.nl
Valkenburg Town Cave. Here you will encounter the primeval powers of
nature that constantly change the face of the planet. The layers of fossils and
seashells bear witness to these natural upheavals.
Valkenburg Aquarium. Halfway up the Cauberg on the Trichtergrubbe you
will find the Cave Aquarium where 35 fish tanks and terrariums have been
carved out of the cave walls. Car park by the entrance.
Roman Catacombs. Light your way by candle to underground galleries and
reconstruction of the Roman catacombs, an architectural project widely
acclaimed in the press.
Coal Mine and the Grot van Daelhem. This is the very last coal mine in the
Netherlands. Discover the world of mining in a mysterious underground
environment. Car park across the road.
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Chair Lift, Toboggan Run, Wilhelmina Tower and Breakpoint. A chair lift
takes you up a short ride to the hilltop to the Tower and the top of the
toboggan run (rodel bahn). There are two toboggan runs down. The tower
has a restaurant and can be climbed for a view. Breakpoint Activities run a
100 meter rope glide (death slide) and also abseiling from the tower.
www.kabelbaan.nl www.breakpoint-outdoor.nl
Indoor Paintballing A unique activity in the caves of Valkenburg, for groups
of 10 – 20 people only. Tel: 0031 43 6090609
Sprookjesbos Fairy Tale Theme Park. Fairytale forest with tableaux of
Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and many others. The Africa section has
elephants, tigers and zebras. A western show and laser display are part of
the America section. There is a log flume, a pirate ship and a playground with
mini-cars and water games. www.sprookjesbos.nl
De Valkenier Amusement Park. Mini cars and small rides. Entrance price
only €6.50 (2004) signposted from town centre. Open April – October.
www.pretpark-de-valkenier.nl
Dino’s Monstergrot. Life-sized dinosaur exhibition. Plenkerstraat, close to
Valkenier.
Valkenburg City Tours Half hour bus tours departing from Grendelplein.
Thermae 2000 Spa Complex. Bathe in the pleasant healing warmth of the
40,000 year ‘young’ thermal waters in an atmosphere of peace and relaxation.
Beautiful thermal indoor and outdoor pools and sauna complex. Luxury hotel
attached. Situated on the Cauberg, by the casino. Signposted from the town.
www.thermae.nl
IN THE AREA
Blegny Coal Mine. Just over the border in Belgium between Maastricht and
Liege lies the Blegny Coal mine and a chance to don jacket and helmet and
go down in the lift cage to the world of a coalminer. English guides are
available on arrangement. Motorway E40 exit 36 or E25 exit 2 and follow the
signs. www.blegnymine.be
Thermenmuseum (Roman Museum) Take a trip around the museum of
Roman life seen through the eyes of a Roman potter Lucius Ferenius.
Examine the excavated Roman bath-house. Interactive displays for children
and English commentaries. Situated at Heerlen. Leaflets from the HIVE.
www.thermenmuseum.nl.
South Limburg Steam Train Company. Travel through the loveliest hill
country by steam train along a route with beautiful panoramas, deep gorges
and imposing heights. Or take a train ride on the Simpelveld –Vetschau
(Germany) line that forms part of the oldest international train line in the
Netherlands. www.zlsm.nl
Industrion. Industrial Museum at Kerkrade. - the South Limburg steam
trains stop right outside. Closed Mondays. www.industrion.nl
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Drielandenpunt and Maze. Vaals. This is the point where three countries
(Germany, Holland and Belgium) meet. Photo-opportunities, cafe and a
playground. At the same location is an excellent maze. April - November.
There is also a clay pigeon shooting range, July and August, and an
opportunity to take a bus tour on an authentic British Double Decker bus or an
American School bus. www.drielandenpunt.nl.
ROCCA Climbing and Adventure Centre at Gulpen (situated next to
Mosaqua). Indoor and outdoor activities. Climbing, abseiling, adventure and
challenge circuit, mountain biking, archery, orienteering. www.rocca.nl
Gerardo Cardinale Glassblowing Workshops Tentstraat, Vaals. Glass
museum and demonstrations.
Glanerbrook Kummenaedestraat 45, Geelen Sport and Recreation Centre.
Sub-tropical swimming pool complex, ice-skating and roller blading rink.
Kinderstad, Heerlen. Huge indoor children’s playground. Open every day
www.kinderstad.nl
Castle Hoensbroek. Fully furnished moated castle (Manor House) near
Heerlen. Open daily www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl
CONTACTS
HIVE has a brochure of accommodation in the area, including campsites.
Tourist Board Valkenburg Tel: 0031 43 609 8500
DIRECTIONS to Valkenburg
80kms (1 hour 7 mins) via Roermond. Take 52 to Roermond. Follow
directions for Maastrict on the A52. Take A79 towards Heerlen and exit 3
towards Valkenburg.
90kms (1 hour) by motorway via Aachen. Take 61 south towards Koblenz
and at exit 16 the 44 towards Aachen. Then take A4 towards Heerlen. On
entering the Netherlands take A76 towards Valkenburg and then A79,
following signs for Valkenburg.
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October 2009