The best walks and hikes around Stein

The Negenoord-Kerkeweerd nature reserve is a large-scale renatured section of the Maas landscape. It originated from former gravel extraction areas, which were gradually transformed into a near-natural floodplain landscape after the cessation of use. Since the 1990s, the area has been specifically developed and enhanced ecologically. Today, it covers around 150–160 hectares and consists of lakes, old riverbeds, wetlands, and floodplain areas. These structures offer valuable habitats for numerous animal species, especially waterfowl, and make the area an important component of the Maas floodplain ecosystem.

The Oude Maas meander near Stokkem is a former loop of the River Maas and today a quiet nature area with a typical floodplain landscape and a rich bird population. The area is characterized by shallow water bodies, reed zones, and bank areas that serve as a habitat for numerous water birds. Especially in the quieter sections, the natural development of the former river landscape can be well observed. It is an important part of the Negenoord-Kerkeweerd nature reserve.

Through the centuries, Kasteel Stein has housed an impressive series of remarkable residents. You visit an iconic building that has experienced both growth and prosperity as well as decay through the centuries, until the ruins organically merged into the beautiful, romantic English landscape park.

Through the centuries, Stein Castle has housed an impressive series of remarkable residents. You visit an iconic building that, through the centuries, has known both growth and prosperity as well as decline, until the ruins organically merged into the beautiful, romantic English landscape park.

The tea house in Kasteelpark Elsloo, locally known as ’t zomerhuuske, is temporarily closed to visitors. Last summer, the historic structure was once again damaged by arson.

In addition to pedestrian traffic, the place also serves as a passage for the fast-flowing Hemelbeek. The pedestrian path is narrow and dark, especially if you encounter oncoming traffic, it is best to be careful not to step off the path.

The majority of shipping traffic going to Belgium and France via the Meuse flows through the Juliana Canal. The canal begins north of Maastricht at the Borgharen weir as a branch of the Meuse, and ends approximately 36 km further at Maasbracht, where the water flows back into the Meuse. The canal follows the course of the Meuse, which flows slightly west of the canal and forms the border with Belgium there (the "Grensmaas"). To the east of the canal runs the A2 motorway. The canal is named after Princess Juliana. On October 22, 1925, the then 16-year-old princess came to Limmel to symbolically break ground. At Elsloo, the Scharberg had to be dug through in 1929. During these works, a soil layer rich in shark teeth from the Miocene was exposed.

See also highlight: https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/6608973 Hoxweerdbrug Flood Bridge The flood bridge that turns the Stein village of Maasband into an island when the Maas River is at a high water level. The bridge has been named Hoxweerdbrug. The name of the bridge is a reference to Hoxweerd, a wooded area that used to be located at this spot. More info: • https://grensmaas.nl/locaties/maasband • https://stevacon.nl/projecten/hoogwaterbrug-maasband Bridge for island in the Maas In the rustic Maasband, Stevacon, together with Boskalis (Combinatie Brug Maasband), is building a bridge over the flood channel. The work is part of the Grensmaas Project. Our sister company Van den Biggelaar Grond- en waterbouw is also involved in the realization and has been improving safety in the river basin between Maastricht and Roosteren as part of the consortium since 2008. To improve safety, the riverbed of the Maas has been widened, banks lowered and dikes strengthened and raised. Meanwhile, villages and towns along the Maas in South Limburg are no longer flooded. And the new nature areas, which have been created with the work, are flourishing. Living on an island To give the Maas even more space at high water levels, a secondary channel is being constructed. For the residents of Maasband, this means that they will live on an island in the Maas and an access bridge is necessary. The design of the bridge was therefore created in consultation with the residents. A competition was even held among the inhabitants of the village for the name of the bridge. Hoxweerd has become the new name. Hoxweerd is the name of the former wooded area in which the bridge has taken shape over the past year. The bridge The deck and pillars of the approximately 160-meter-long bridge are made entirely of cast-in-place concrete. The six pillars are 10 meters high and have a specific shape. The bridge deck is over 9 meters wide and 1.15 meters thick and is prestressed after pouring. After the realization of the bridge, Consortium Grensmaas can begin with the excavation of the secondary channel.