The best MTB trails around Haelen

Nice playground by the stream. You can see that the banks are eroding further and further.

It's fun. With kids' bikes, gravel bikes, CX and XC bikes – as long as it's reasonably agile. (Of course, it also works with long full-suspension bikes – it's just "over-biked".) Perfect "no-hill flow" :-))

Birdwatching at the bird hide. There weren't many to see today.

About the Helenavaart and the Deurne Canal.

De Welvaart was built in 1865 and survived World War II as one of the few windmills in Limburg without major damage. It remained in operation until the 1950s, when it was purchased by the municipality and restored.

It's noticeable that the garden isn't particularly well-maintained. I'm not sure if you can still stay overnight here, as the restaurant was also closed. (As of May 30, 2025) Discover the timeless charm of Kasteel Aldenghoor. The castle is still completely intact and can be visited by appointment. In the beautiful surroundings of Roermond, surrounded by several castles, an overnight stay at Aldenghoor offers a very special experience. Our bed and breakfast in Limburg is the perfect place to completely relax.

The Sint-Elisabethsmolen (Sint-Elisabeth Mill) was a watermill on the Leubeek, belonging to the Sint-Elisabethsdal Monastery. Only a ruin remains of this mill. The oldest mention of the mill dates back to 1278. At that time, the monastery received permission from the Lord of Horn to demolish the Roggel watermill on the Roggelse Beek and rebuild it near the monastery. The mill was owned by the monastery, but had to pay tribute to the lord for its use. It was a compulsory mill, and in 1416, it was again decreed that the entire village of Roggel had to have grain milled at this mill. The authenticity of this document was later questioned: the farmers preferred to grind at the Leumolen. In 1796, the monastery was dissolved by the French, and the mill was confiscated and sold. In 1840, it was replaced by a stone mill, larger than the Leumolen. It served as a grain mill, sawmill, and oil mill. In 1844, the mill was set on fire, but was rebuilt. When the German troops withdrew in 1944, the mill was still used to store ammunition. This was destroyed by the retreating soldiers, along with the mill itself. A ruin remained. Renovation of this mill began in 2014. Starting from the ruins, a modern superstructure was built, into which a large, modern waterwheel was installed in 2015. This is connected to a generator that produces electricity, which is used, among other things, by the adjacent restaurant.

A 6-kilometer-long gravel trail along a canal. The trail is lined with ancient oak trees. Beautiful.