Krijtlandpad
About Krijtlandpad
A scenic long-distance trail winding through the rolling hills of South Limburg. The route passes chalk grasslands, marl caves, ancient sunken lanes, and half-timbered villages, with sweeping views over the Geul Valley and the wooded ridges along the Belgian and German borders.
Krijtlandpad map
The interactive map shows the whole route, with accommodation, water and public transport along the way.
Krijtlandpad route planner
Build a day-by-day itinerary in the route planner, find accommodations along the route, and download the GPX file. Start from an example below or from scratch.
5 Day ItineraryShown below
A five day example itinerary looping out from Maastricht through the chalk hills of South Limburg via Noorbeek, the Drielandenpunt at Vaals, and Gulpen before returning along the Margraten plateau. The route packs in the trail's signature hollow lanes, beech forests, marl quarries and sweeping Heuvelland panoramas, with the longest, hilliest stage in the middle so the final two days run shorter and gentler back to Maastricht.
Krijtlandpad stages
5 days, 93 km and 1,597 m of ascent. These stages follow the 5 Day Itinerary. Open it in the route planner to split or merge days and choose where you sleep.
- Stage 124.5 km↑ 281 m · ↓ 182 m ·
7–8h with stopsMaastricht Noorbeek
Night at Walnut Lodge Bed & Breakfast - Stage 212.6 km↑ 241 m · ↓ 268 m ·
4–5h with stopsNoorbeek Epen
Night at Hotel Herberg & Appartementen de Smidse - Stage 316.0 km↑ 477 m · ↓ 406 m ·
5–6h with stopsEpen Vaals
Night at Van der Valk Hotel Bloemendal - Stage 417.0 km↑ 273 m · ↓ 372 m ·
5–6h with stopsVaals Gulpen
Night at Herberg De Zwarte Ruiter - Stage 523.2 km↑ 325 m · ↓ 369 m ·
7–8h with stopsGulpen Maastricht
Best time to go
- Best time1 Apr – 30 Jun, 1 Sept – 31 Oct
- Good time1 Mar – 31 Mar, 1 Jul – 31 Aug, 1 Nov – 30 Nov
- Possible, with care1 Dec – 29 Feb
April to June and then September and October are the best months in South Limburg, with the holloways dry and the orchards in blossom or fruit. July and August are warm and the Geul valley fills with day visitors. From December to February the sunken chalk lanes turn to deep mud after rain and the daylight is short, though nothing closes.