The surrounding area of Meerssen

Idyllic and green, nature is sure to surprise and delight!

Nature in all its beauty can be found both in and around Meerssen. The Proosdij park is the green heart of the city; an elegant park with ancient trees, the babbling Watervalbeek brook, and a historic tea house. At its core is a forested area that includes the steepest hillside forest in the Netherlands and unique flora and fauna.

 

The idyllic hamlet of Waterval can be found in the heart of this nature area and the Wijngaardseberg boasts ancient Roman vineyards. In Meerssen, nature is sure to surprise and delight!

Een panorama over de Curfsgroeve

De Dellen and Meerssenerbroek

Nature reserves De Dellen and Meerssenerbroek (167 ha) are situated south of Meerssen, on the southern slope of the Beneden-Geuldal. The area boasts hillside and elevated forests, a valley of grasslands and forests along the Geul, and underground marl caves. The name Meerssenerbroek is a nod to the area's marshy past. The water that rose to the surface transformed the area into a swampland and the Geul flooded the area regularly. This created a dynamic area with new sediment deposits containing new plant seeds. The current vegetation is a testament to this.

Een klein beekje stroomt door een groen vlak landschap

Watervalderbeek and Waterval

The Watervalderbeek emerges in the forest of the Waterval hamlet near Ulestraten. The many water sources in this forest have transformed it into a bubbling brook, which winds across the meadows of Waterval towards Meerssen before disappearing underground near the Pletsmolen water mill. The charming hamlet of Waterval is situated in a valley of the Watervalderbeek, between Ulestraten and Raar.

Gloriëtte

At the centre of the park is the Gloriëtte (derived from the word 'glorious'), a former tea house in neo-baroque style from 1895. The Gloriëtte was built on a hill at the edge of the park and was commissioned by former estate owner Amadée Stevens. Tea houses like this were a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The Gloriëtte is now one of the most beautiful and coveted wedding venues in the municipality.

Mensen doen onderhoud aan een groene helling in een natuurgebied met op de achtergrond een bosje

The Butterfly House

The Butterfly House Foundation seeks to connect landscape, nature, and people, translating this into projects where art, nature, and research/participation come together. A unique initiative in a unique natural area in Bunde. Want to explore the landscape yourself? Regular workshops, walks, and landscape studios are organized.

Idyllic and green, nature is sure to surprise and delight!

Nature in all its beauty can be found both in and around Meerssen. The Proosdij park is the green heart of the city; an elegant park with ancient trees, the babbling Watervalbeek brook, and a historic tea house. At its core is a forested area that includes the steepest hillside forest in the Netherlands and unique flora and fauna.

 

The idyllic hamlet of Waterval can be found in the heart of this nature area and the Wijngaardseberg boasts ancient Roman vineyards. In Meerssen, nature is sure to surprise and delight!

Een bruggetje over het water in de herfst

Buitengoed Geul & Maas

Buitengoed Geul & Maas stretches from Schin op Geul to Borgharen. This vast nature reserve spans three municipalities: Valkenburg aan de Geul, Maastricht, and Meerssen. Of particular note are the beautiful river valleys of the Geul, the Watervalderbeek, the Kanjel & Gelei, and the Meuse. These are surrounding by flourishing estates, stately mills, and old-fashioned farms and castles. It is a feast for the eyes and a salve for the spirit.

Rivierpark Maasvallei

Over the centuries, the Meuse river transformed Limburg into a unique and fascinating landscape with a tangle of old river channels, meanders, dikes, forelands, and flora and fauna. Historic cities and prominent villages testify to a past interwoven with the Meuse. Grab your bicycle, slip on your walking shoes, and discover the new cross-border (tourist-recreational) nature area of RiverPark Maasvallei.

Wijngaardsberg

The oldest wine-growing area in the Netherlands can be found along the flanks of the Wijngaardsberg in the Limburg village of Ulestraten. Grape vines have grown here since 968, following the ancient Roman road from Meerssen to Hunnecum. The vineyards existed until 1800 and were replanted in 2002. Wijngaardsberg wines are sold in first-class restaurants throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Try them for yourself and discover the flavour of Limburg!

Paddestoelen die aan een tak in het bos groeien

Bunderbos

The Bunderbos, with its exceptionally rich and rare flora, is the steepest hillside forest in the Netherlands – so be sure to wear sturdy shoes! It is home to several water sources and bubbling brooks. The forest is a riot of colour in the spring, when primula, thimbleweed, pilewort, wild garlic, and many other flowering plants burst into bloom.

An extensive network past the most beautiful spots

The green surroundings of Meerssen invite you to hop on your bicycle, put on your walking shoes and discover the surroundings on a horseback.

There is still so much to discover in Meerssen:

Waking up in Meerssen

Whether you book a holiday home, a loft apartment, a B&B, or a campsite, you can always expect a warm welcome in Meerssen. Wake up feeling refreshed and ready to explore the beautiful surroundings.

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Hiking & Biking

The green surroundings of Meerssen invite you to hop on your bicycle and put on your walking shoes. Discover a small castle in the forest overlooking a watery habitat that's home to incredible flora and fauna.

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Don't miss these hotspots

If you're planning to visit Meerssen, we have some must-see hotspots you won't want to miss. Some are obvious gems, while others are more like diamonds in the rough. Head out, see the sights, and let the diversity of Meerssen surprise you.

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