Tips
April 5, 2021
Hiking
•September 1, 2025
Hiking
The earthworks would have served as a prehistoric defense line or as a rampart for the nearby Iron Age urn fields. However, recent archaeological research has shown that the landgrave most likely dates from the second half of the 14th century. At that time, the landgrave was located on the edge of the Land van Valkenburg. When Jan van Valkenburg died without a successor in 1352, this important territory fell into the hands of the Duke of Brabant. He likely built the landgrave to protect against aggression from his arch-enemies, the Dukes of Guelders and Jülich.
•September 1, 2025
Hiking
In later centuries, the landgraaf lost its function. Nature was given free rein, the ramparts eroded, and the ditch filled in. The landgraaf is now used as a sunken road, and people forget who built it and when. Frans Erens (1857-1935), the well-known man of letters from Schaesberg, recounts that in his youth, people still believed that Napoleon had dug the landgraaf. Erens enjoyed being rolled down the slopes. He deeply regretted that landowners later leveled large parts of the landgraaf.
•Sign up for a free komoot account to get 2 more insider tips and takes.
Sign up for free
Nearby routes
Best routes near Defense Line "The Landgrave"
4.0
(2)
22
hikers
4.62km
01:13
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
13
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
19
hikers
13.1km
03:25
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Details
Informations
Distance 322 m
Uphill 10 m
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Tuesday 31 March
13°C
2°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h
Most visited during
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December