Discover Velden: Nature, Trails and Living Traditions

Velden combines lively village traditions with hiking trails, nature reserves and cycle routes through a varied landscape. Those who choose a holiday apartment in Velden can therefore tailor their stay to different interests: local history and festivals, short or longer routes, or landscapes around Vreewater and Zwart Water.

Traditions and History in Velden

Gekke Maondaag is a special part of village life. Young unmarried men, formerly farmhands, have traditionally made their way from Schandelo and the other districts to the cafés in the village one week after the Gildefeest. Today, people of all ages still celebrate this day in large numbers. The Gekke Maondaag hiking route takes up this tradition and connects five statues in the outskirts and hamlets of Velden. Each statue can serve as a possible starting point.

Individual buildings also give Velden a distinct historical character. The Sint-Andreas Church has two Baroque side altars from the 18th century. The Hovenshof stands in the hamlet of Hasselt. Also known as Hovershof, it is a listed farm in the village of Velden and dates from 1778. The restored village pump is once again dispensing water and is the municipality of Venlo’s first public drinking-water tap. On October 4, 2009, it was returned to its original location and installed there as a monument.

The Schutterij Sint Andreas is also part of local tradition. It organizes shooting competitions, parades, festive events and community projects. Spectators are also welcome at its events. In Velden, therefore, the focus is not only on historic sites but also on community-centered events.

Nature and Trails Around Velden

Vreewater is located east of Velden on the German border and consists of a small-scale, semi-open landscape. The Zwart Water nature reserve is also nearby. It is a large former Meuse meander with remnants of heathland as well as dry and wet grassland. Several signposted short and long hikes lead through the area; the cycle network runs directly along the Venkoelen there.

The Ravenvennen also offer suitable options for hiking enthusiasts, as there are hiking trails there. The stated distance of 5.0 kilometers for Lomm and Velden is associated with parking lot P3 at Straelseweg 35, 5941 NJ Velden. Parking is available at the market square in Velden for the Schandelo route.

Cycling with a Historical Background

The Fossa Eugeniana cycle route runs through the Velden district of Venlo. It is approximately 70 kilometers long and can also be ridden in two separate sections of 35 and 45 kilometers. The different route lengths make it easier to plan a suitable tour. Its historical background dates back to the construction of the Fossa Eugeniana, which began in 1626. The planned Fossa Eugeniana was intended to connect the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt.

Another option is the Zwart Water cycle route. It starts at Marktplein in Velden and leads past the church, along Kloosterstraat and Veerweg toward the Meuse. This allows local details, routes through the landscape and the historic connection to the Meuse to be combined in one cycling tour.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Your Stay

When choosing a holiday apartment in Velden, it helps to consider which focus will shape your stay. The five statues along the Gekke Maondaag hiking route, the trails in Vreewater and the Ravenvennen, and the signposted hikes in Zwart Water all support planning a stay with plenty of activity. Those who would like to include culture and local history will find several specific points of interest in the Sint-Andreas Church, Hovenshof, the village pump and the Fossa Eugeniana. For cycling days, the Zwart Water cycle route and the sections of varying lengths along the Fossa Eugeniana cycle route are available.

Discover More Places

If you would like to discover other places besides Velden: Venlo, Tegelen, Arcen, Belfeld.

To the higher-level travel overview: Venlo.