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Natural Monuments

Valkenburg Aan De Geul

Curfsgroeve Marl Quarry

Natural Monuments

Valkenburg Aan De Geul

Curfsgroeve Marl Quarry

Recommended by 85 hikers out of 88

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Location: Valkenburg Aan De Geul, Limburg, Netherlands

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Best Hikes to Curfsgroeve Marl Quarry

4.7

(49)

235

hikers

1. Marl Cliff Along the Geul – Curfsgroeve loop from Valkenburg

16.6km

04:29

230m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(38)

223

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2. View of Groeve De Dellen – Curfsgroeve loop from Meerssen

10.1km

02:39

90m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.4

(37)

211

hikers

3. Curfsgroeve – View of the Curfsgroeve loop from Meerssen

2.93km

00:50

60m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Miranda 🥾 TriA© / Johnny

January 14, 2025

Information board:

Limestone rocks in the Geuldal; Welcome to the Curfsgroeve

Here lies deep hidden in the slope Galdalen former marl quarry, Around inng millions of tons of marl were extracted here, in 2009 the quarry was given the status of nature reserve. Nature has seized its opportunities, in the quarry a number of very special plant and animal species occur due to the different climate. New opportunities for nature and a spectacular experience for the hiker.

In the Geuldal there are slope and plateau forests and in the valley the Geul meanders its way to the Maas. The Curfsgroeve lies between the villages Berg and Meerssen. To the west of the Curfsgroeve lie the nature reserves De Dellèn and the Meerssenerbroek of Stichting het Limburgs Landschap and to the east the nature development area Ingendael and the Bergse Heide. A former marl quarry is also present in this part, the Meertensgroeve. A red marked walking route of 2.5 km runs through the Curfsgroeve and De Dellen. Furthermore, there are various marked walking routes through the nature reserves (including the departure from the Markt in Meerssen) and a mountain bike route. Marl extraction

Marl extraction In 1924, the Curfs family started small-scale extraction of marl. Not underground as usual, but above ground. Over the decades, production was expanded. In 1984, Ankerpoort took over the exploitation until the extraction was completed in 2009 and the province of Limburg acquired ownership. Stichting het

Limburgs Landschap has owned the area for over .. years .......

The loess, the covering soil that lay on the marl. Has been processed back into the quarry.

Translated by Google •

Miranda 🥾 TriA© / Johnny

January 14, 2025

Continued:

Spectacular landscape In the middle of the sloping forests there is now a deep hole. Due to this deep location, the wind has much less influence on the climate and the sun can raise the temperature to more than 40 °C. In the shady wooded slopes, a clammy, cool and humid climate prevails. On the steep slopes of the marl walls, which is not an everyday picture in our flat Netherlands, water and wind have free rein. Large chunks of marl regularly fall down with a thundering noise. A consequence of the large temperature fluctuations with severe frost and subsequent thaw, whereby water gradually loosens the blocks of marl in the cracks between the marl. After heavy rain showers, real mudflows occur. All in all a spectacular landscape to admire, nature benefits from it to the full, but caution is advised.

Rich and warm nature

It will not surprise you that this rich variety of different habitats and the warm climate attract special plants and animals. Wild bees take full advantage of the heat and use the steep slope as a nesting place. No fewer than 123 different species have been found in the quarry. Butterfly species that normally occur in more southern regions, such as the wood white, the queen's page and a number of 'blues' also appreciate the quarry. In the slope forests there are plant species that avoid the heat such as the tongue fern, stiff needle fern and stonebranch fern, but more appealing are the orchid species such as the wood orchid, broad wasp orchid, spotted orchid, reed orchid and large beetle orchid. Because there is permanent water in a number of places in the quarry, the rare and typical South Limburg amphibians such as the midwife toad and the yellow-bulb fire toad can reproduce here.

Translated by Google •

January 14, 2025

Continued

Public and goats

In order to preserve the special natural values, it is important to keep the quarry open and to slow down the growth of the forest. A herd of Dutch land goats has gratefully accepted this task and for that reason there is a fence around part of the quarry. During the marl extraction, the quarry was strictly forbidden territory. Now that the quarry is managed by Het Limburgs Landschap, the public is again welcome in part of the quarry. Not an easy task. Your safety is of course paramount. Nevertheless, we have succeeded in creating a walking route that, through the way it is designed, does justice to a quarry, namely by bridging the necessary differences in height. A staircase of no less than 30 meters high takes the walker from one level to the next. From the viewpoint in the middle of the quarry, you can enjoy a panorama with the steep walls of over 50 meters high and the deep quarry floor. An unusual Limburg image, but certainly an experience richer.

More info: limburgs-landschap.nl/natuurgebied/curfsgroeve/?_sft_category_nature=natuurgebieden&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHzw3na5obktFUmF4XqSy68vq4FuzKtK8nWF02UXouBCamBOmQXz3k0aAi11EALw_wcB

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 80 m

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Wednesday 8 October

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Location: Valkenburg Aan De Geul, Limburg, Netherlands

Curfsgroeve Marl Quarry

1. Marl Cliff Along the Geul – Curfsgroeve loop from Valkenburg

2. View of Groeve De Dellen – Curfsgroeve loop from Meerssen

3. Curfsgroeve – View of the Curfsgroeve loop from Meerssen

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