Dutch Mountain Trail

The trail starts at Eygelshoven station and ends in Maastricht at the train station. Typically, it takes four days to complete, with daily distances ranging between 22 and 28 kilometers.

The first stage starts at Eygelshoven station, leading to Vaals, the most famous ‘mountain’ village in the Netherlands, situated on the edge of an ancient volcano. The path goes through Limburg’s hilly landscape, offering views of hills, expansive plains, and small villages, each centered around a church tower.

Along the way, the trail passes by the ‘Miljoenenlijn,’ an old railway line that once transported coal, and dragon’s teeth, large concrete blocks used during World War II to halt allied tanks. These relics are part of the Westwall, a 600-kilometer defensive line comprising bunkers, walls, and dragon’s teeth. The trail includes the ascent of the Wilhelminaberg and the crossing into Germany to climb the second mountain, the Schneeberg, offering stunning views of Vaals and its church tower. The first day ends with camping at Gastmolen.

The second day’s trek leads through the ‘high mountains’ of the Netherlands, from Vaals to Gulpen, where you’ll have more challenging ascents. From the campground, the route climbs the highest point in the Netherlands, the Vaalserberg, at 322 meters above sea level, located at the tripoint of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. This region, rich in zinc mines, has a complex history of territorial changes following the Napoleonic Wars. The day’s journey, reminding you of French countryside walks, ends after 23 kilometers in Gulpen.

The third day starts with a climb to the summit of Gulperberg, known for its steep gradient popular among cyclists, setting the tone for a 26-kilometer stage. The route includes two more of the seven summits and passes through historical and scenic landscapes, ending in Mheer.

The final day leads to Maastricht, featuring some technical sections, especially in muddy conditions where trekking poles will be helpful. The last summit, D’n Observant, an artificial hill from quarrying activities, offers magnificent views over the Maas valley. The trail passes by the Enci quarry and the endpoint of another renowned long-distance trail, the Pieterpad, before concluding at Maastricht station after 101 kilometers on the Dutch Mountain Trail.

The Dutch Mountain Trail can be walked year-round. However, the best time of the year is between May and October when the weather is the best with higher temperatures and there is less rain. In the winter months, the Dutch Mountain Trail becomes the Dutch Mud Trail.

As for every hiking trail, safety begins with good planning and preparation. Bring your essentials to the trail, layer up, and know how to navigate. As you’re hiking in the Netherlands, a town and civilization is never far away but it’s always better if you can rely on yourself. Always pack a rain jacket when hiking in the Netherlands, as you never know when you’ll need it.