Kalkoven bij Curfsgroeve

In the sloped forests between Berg and Meerssen is a former marl quarry, the Curfs Quarry. Marl has been mined here for more than 70 years. Part is closed to the public due to the safety of falling rocks, but also due to the presence of special natural values. Now that the Limburgs Landschap Foundation has taken over management, it has partly made the quarry accessible to the public. A footpath has been constructed on the west side for this purpose.

That turned out to be easier said than done, a staircase of no less than 30 meters high takes the walker from one level to the other. From the viewpoint you can look over and into the quarry at the 50 meter high steep walls and the deep quarry floor. Wind and weather have free rein in the quarry. Pieces of stone regularly fall down. Due to the deep location, the radiation of the sun is intense and the heat is retained for a long time. The shady forest slopes are cool and humid. As a result, there are many special plants and animals. A herd of Dutch land goats keeps the bush and forest formation within limits with their grazing behaviour.