Discover Kerkrade – Monastery, Mining and Nature

Kerkrade combines historical insights, green paths and a variety of excursion destinations. A special introduction is Abdij Rolduc, with a 1.5-hour guided historical tour of the monastery complex. When planning a holiday apartment in Kerkrade, you can spend your days between cultural attractions, nature trails, cycling routes and leisure destinations.

Culture and History

Abdij Rolduc is the largest abbey in the Benelux countries and is one of the 100 most important monuments in the Netherlands. At the Rolduc complex, visitors can sample abbey beer and take a guided tour of the brewing and tasting room with a brewer.

The mining history becomes tangible at Schacht Nulland: on display are an original hoisting cage or lift, a mining bicycle, machinery, as well as various objects and photographs from the mining era. Schacht Nulland belonged to the former Domaniale Mijn, considered the oldest hard-coal mine in the Netherlands. Former miners provide guided tours of Schacht Nulland by appointment.

D'r Joep has stood in the market square in Kerkrade since 1957; the monument is regarded as a national monument to miners. During the three days of Carnival, numerous colourful parades pass through Kerkrade’s various districts. At the four-yearly festival, more than 20,000 musicians from over 30 countries compete for a place at the top of the world of wind music.

Nature and Trails

The Wormdal water walk can also be completed independently without a guide. In Wormdal, you can walk along the meandering border river Worm; the area’s special flora and fauna include wild orchids and kingfishers.

In the Anstelvallei, paths lead through forests, along streams and beside the shore of the Cranenweyer reservoir, where you can walk or cycle. The monumental Kasteel Erenstein is located in the Anstelvallei.

The Botanische Tuin Kerkrade is the only botanical garden in the province of Limburg. More than 3,000 different plants grow in the Botanische Tuin Kerkrade. The Van abdij tot mijnsteenberg – rondje 2 route begins at the Botanische Tuin in Kerkrade and is 10.5 kilometres long. The Knopen-Lopen network in Kerkrade comprises approximately 65 kilometres of signposted walking trails. For planning purposes, the trails mainly differ in length and route format.

Cycling Routes and Special Trails

The Parkstadroute passes through Kerkrade and deliberately runs through the city centre there. The Archeologische fietstocht Kerkrade is 17.7 kilometres long and starts and ends at Abdij Rolduc in Kerkrade. It follows the cycling junction network.

The Beweegroute Kirchroa op wiele was specially developed for wheelchair users, (duo) mobility scooters and (duo) bicycles and is also suitable for walkers. The route is 5 kilometres long.

Museums, Zoo and Leisure

The Discovery Museum is the largest museum of science and technology in the southern Netherlands. Its subject areas are earth, science, technology and design. The LeisureDome includes, among other things, a cinema, bowling alley, trampoline park, indoor playground, escape rooms and an arcade.

More than 150 different animal species can be seen at GaiaZOO. GaiaZOO is served by a bus stop called “GaiaZOO”; from there, visitors walk past the Tower of Gaia to the entrance square. The zoo has its own car park and ten charging stations for electric vehicles.

More destinations:Eygelshoven, Kerkrade, Valkenburg Aan De Geul, Venlo, Weert, Simpelveld, Schinnen, Gennep

To the higher-level travel overview: Limburg.