Ten large Meuse stones guide hikers along the Klauwenpad. In the local dialect, they are called “Klauwen”; the trail runs through the rugged river landscape between Meers and Maasband. Galloway cattle and Konik horses graze in the area. Please observe the published safety notices. Water levels and weather can affect route conditions, so it’s worth checking the current situation before setting out.

River landscape and trails

Along the Julianakanaal, slopes up to 30 metres high in the Urdal-Scharberg area shape the landscape. From there, you can see the canal, the Meuse and the entire width of the Meuse Valley. The Klauwenpad runs through river nature, while Urdal-Scharberg offers an elevated view of the canal and valley. Some of the municipality of Stein’s natural areas are part of the Natura 2000 network.

Kasteelpark Stein is also closely connected to its landscape: it borders the Steinderbeemden and Brook/Ziepe. The wheelchair route offers a different way to explore. It runs partly along paved paths, is easy to navigate for wheelchair users, is almost 1.5 kilometres long and is marked with posts bearing a wheelchair symbol.

Fifteen tree trunks stand in the Meerser Koegriend on the banks of the Meuse. They form another striking landmark in the river landscape. An artwork stretches across three viaducts beneath the A76 in the municipality of Stein.

Archaeology and history

The Archeologisch Museum Stein presents 5,000 years of burial culture in the Netherlands, from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The museum is built around a Neolithic burial chamber dating back approximately 5,000 years. The chamber lies right next to the museum entrance and is designated a national archaeological monument.

The Historiehuis van de Maasvallei offers insights into the living conditions, working conditions and way of life of the people of the Meuse Valley from 1650 to 1950. Its name refers to the former Schippersbeurs, a building in the Meuse Valley style dating from the early 17th century. The museum’s name thus preserves a memory of regional architectural history, but this does not mean that the museum itself is housed in that building.

In Elsloo’s protected village centre, old streets lead to the Meuse and Kasteel Elsloo. Three watermills are known from Elsloo’s history; the Slakmolen is the only one still standing. Elsloo is also home to a 16th-century “Sint Anna te Drieën”, attributed to the Meester van Elsloo. The Wooden Cross of Catsop dates from the 13th century and is a historic work of art in Elsloo.

The ruins of Kasteel Stein lie in a romantic park laid out in the English landscape style. Tours of Kasteel Stein are available by appointment; please arrange your visit before arriving. A route marked with blue posts leads to Kasteel Elsloo. This lets you treat different historic sites and trails as separate focal points in your travel plans.

Routes and activities

A cultural route passes through Urmond, Berg aan de Maas and Nattenhoven, including the Terpkerkje. In Elsloo, “De Sleutel van Elsloo” is an escape-room-style tour through the historic village centre. “Het Pad van de Pungelaer” is an escape game in which visitors experience life on the border during the period of intense smuggling. Booking and operating conditions for these activities may change; check the latest information before your visit.

You can take the Hoal Euver II ferry from Berg aan de Maas across the Meuse to Belgium. The ferry may operate seasonally or be out of service due to disruptions; check the latest situation before travelling. If you want to swim in Stein, you can swim laps in the morning at the swimming pool. Check current operating information before visiting.

These options give you different ways to shape your stay: river nature and trails, archaeological and regional history, and activities on and along the Meuse. You can choose your focus without having to combine the places into a fixed route.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Elsloo, Urmond, Stein.

Discover more destinations: Maasgouw, Simpelveld, Horst Aan De Maas, Roermond, Sittard-Geleen.

Go to the main travel guide: Limburg.