By bike across three countries: Maaseik – Thorn – Heinsberg – Susteren

Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany in one ride. About 93 km on a flat bike route (20–75 m above sea level) through the Maas and Rur valleys: from Maaseik in Belgian Limburg over the border to Dutch Limburg, then into Germany at Heinsberg and the Selfkant, and back into the Netherlands at Susteren. There are three border crossings, but only the language on the signs changes.

The route. Maaseik – Thorn – Linne – Vlodrop – Heinsberg – Selfkant – Susteren.

On the way. Maaseik’s suburb Aldeneik has a church founded in 730 and is tied to the saints Harlindis and Relindis. Thorn is the “white town” of Limburg, where the old houses of the former abbey town are painted white. Near Linne a strong earthquake hit the region in 1992. The Selfkant in Germany is almost surrounded by the Netherlands. Susteren, a quiet Dutch town, is the end.

Good to know. Use the numbered cycle junctions (knooppunten) of Belgium and the Netherlands: they make navigation easy. Watch the wind in the open Maas valley. Dutch cyclists are fast: keep right. The music is a Dutch song.

Picture: Thorn, the white town in Dutch Limburg, Microtoerisme, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.