처럼 최고의 사이클링 경로

국경을 넘나드는 마스강 계곡 공원의 자연 보호 구역은 네덜란드 측에서는 Natuurmonumenten과 Staatsbosbeheer가, 플랑드르 측에서는 Limburgs Landschap와 Natuurpunt가 관리합니다. 거친 강 자연을 통제하고 동시에 풍경에 다양성과 역동성을 더하기 위해 대형 초식동물을 이용합니다. 관리가 없다면 이 지역은 빠르게 황폐해지고 숲으로 뒤덮일 것입니다. 마스강을 따라서는 거의 전적으로 갤로웨이 소와 코닉 말이 보입니다. 영구적인 유지 보수 직원으로서 자연 보호 구역을 돌아다닙니다. 그들은 풀을 뜯고, 가지를 치고, 비료를 주고, 발굽으로 땅을 갈고, 털과 배설물을 통해 씨앗을 퍼뜨립니다. 이를 통해 개방된 지역이 유지되고 생명으로 가득한 다양하고 풍부한 풍경이 발달할 수 있습니다. 갤로웨이와 코닉 모두 일년 내내 이 지역에서 생활합니다. 이들은 도움 없이 일년 내내 야외에서 생활하도록 만들어진 강하고 튼튼한 품종입니다. 추위에 강하고 자립적이며 유연합니다. 계절의 조건에 따라 털, 행동 및 소화력을 조정합니다. 스스로 먹이를 찾고 바람, 비, 눈, 햇볕을 견뎌냅니다.

As 역은 21A(Hasselt-As) 및 21B(As-Eisden) 노선의 이전 기차역입니다. 역 건물에는 현재 레스토랑이 있으며 Kolenspoorvereniging은 이곳을 Waterschei-As-Eisden 관광 철도 노선 운영에 사용합니다. As 역은 또한 Hoge Kempen 국립공원의 관문 중 하나이며 전망대가 있습니다.

A beautiful woodland chapel with a few benches inside for relaxing and unwinding. Next to it is a lovely building especially for birds.

Near Dilsen-Stokkem (Belgium), in the cross-border nature reserve along the Meuse Valley around the De Wissen Visitor Center and the Negenoord-Kerkeweerd nature reserve, you'll regularly encounter Konik horses in the open floodplains and grasslands, along with other large grazers such as Galloway cattle. These horses are not domesticated pets, but are part of a consciously implemented nature management program aimed at keeping the river landscape as naturally dynamic and biodiverse as possible. The Konik horses here live freely in the floodplains and river landscapes year-round. Their presence is functional: grazing, they cut down the grass and maintain open grasslands. In places where cattle primarily keep shrubs and young trees short, the horses also ensure that herbs, flowers, and short grass are preserved. This combination allows these large grazers to create a diverse patchwork of open areas, coarse grasses, herb-rich thickets, and vegetated edges—exactly what many plant and animal species need to thrive. In the area around Stokkem, you often hear from local guides like the MaasVerkenner that you'll almost always see these horses during a walk, especially on the paths around the old Meuse branches and small lakes of Negenoord. These grazers are an important part of the river landscape experience, and they naturally regulate grazing management, allowing the landscape to develop into a rich ecosystem with countless bird species, insects, and plants that are rare elsewhere in Limburg. Hikers and nature lovers can often observe the Konik horses from the trails around De Wissen and the breeding banks of the Meuse. Because they are wild animals, it is advised to always keep a distance, not feed them, and not disturb their natural behavior. If you're lucky, you might see them grazing peacefully in the morning light or among colorful, herbaceous meadows—an impressive example of how nature management and ecology go hand in hand in this part of the Meuse Valley.

It's lovely to cycle here on the dike. There's always something to see on either side, and the people you meet are very friendly and seem happy. It must be the beautiful surroundings.

St. Barbara's Church is the parish church of Eisden-Tuinwijk in Eisden and a so-called mining cathedral. The church was built after the Eisden coal mine was constructed and put into production in 1923, leading to the construction of several towns under the name Eisden-Tuinwijk. These were located west of the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal. This led to a sharp population increase, creating the need for a new church. Brussels architect Auguste Vanden Nieuwenborg designed a monumental church in the Brick Expressionist style, incorporating Gothic elements such as pointed arch windows. The stained-glass windows in the choir are inspired by those of Chartres Cathedral. The church, with its plump 53-meter-high tower, was built from 1934 to 1936. It is a three-aisled cruciform church. The church furnishings are almost entirely post-1945, but the organ dates from 1939 and was built by the Delmotte studio in Tournai. The Stations of the Cross are made of black marble in bas-relief, and in 1960, sculptor Mailleux created several statues. The Saint Barbara statue on the facade dates from 1982. The church is surrounded by various related buildings, such as schools, a monastery, and a parish center. Source: Wikipedia

In 2019, the Lourdes Grotto Committee and the Niel-bij-As parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of their Lourdes Grotto. It is located on Grotstraat (how could it be otherwise). In 1943, Louis Pillards made a solemn promise to Our Lady to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, but due to the Second World War, he was unable to fulfill his promise. Therefore, he decided to build their own Lourdes Grotto together with his wife Anna Vandeurzen. Anna Berger-Vandeurzen, whose first husband had died and was now married to Louis Pillards, donated the necessary land to the parish, and Louis drew a design sketch for the grotto. Together with a number of volunteers, they traveled by horse and cart to collect pebbles from the heathland on the border between Lanklaar and As. Construction began in 1943, and the grotto was blessed in 1944. Thanks to the Zwartberg mine, they obtained the necessary cement, which was very difficult to obtain in those days. Statues of Mary, Bernadette, and even an angel were provided. In the small tower atop the grotto, there even hung a small bronze bell, which was unfortunately later stolen. On August 15, 1944, the Lourdes grotto was solemnly blessed by the then pastor of Niel, Father Gerstmans. From the very beginning, a grotto committee was established, which to this day ensures the maintenance of the Lourdes grotto and its surroundings, in collaboration with the municipality's technical department. For a long time, Mia Haumont and later Godelieve Meysen took care of the altar and the flowers. In the early years, a hermit even lived in the cottage behind the grotto for a few years. He is known as Brother Boniface. His real name is Tony Vissers. For many years, he was involved in the education of the local youth. The closeness of the Lourdes Grotto to the hearts of many Niel residents is evident in the large attendance at the services, which normally take place on May 1st and August 15th. There is an open-air service at the grotto, followed by a vehicle blessing on August 15th. On the evening of August 14th, there is also a candlelight procession from the church in Niel to the grotto. In May, it is traditional to pray the rosary together at 7:30 PM. This year, we will do this from our homes, united in faith! Want to stop by on your daily bike ride? The Lourdes Grotto in Niel-bij-As is located on the route between cycling junctions 40 and 528.

Beautiful cycle path through heathland...