A whitewashed marl farmhouse, a blue starry vault and an annual pilgrimage to De Kluis give Walem a distinctive cultural and historical profile. Walking and cycling routes add different ways to explore the surrounding area.
Buildings and sacred details
The Walem 106 farmhouse is whitewashed, and its entrance is beneath a canopy. The small Maria Chapel in Walem stands at a crossroads of four roads. Inside, a flat, blue barrel vault decorated with stars spans the ceiling. In a niche above an altar stands a statue of mother and child on a crescent moon. If you would like to see the interior in person, check in advance whether the chapel is open. The Kalkovens Walem lime kiln dates from the 20th century. The term barrel vault describes a curved ceiling that extends lengthwise.
De Kluis and the pilgrimage
De Kluis is a hermitage with a chapel on the Schaelsberg between Valkenburg and Walem. Fourteen Stations of the Cross stand in a circle beside De Kluis. The Sjaasbergergank is an annual pilgrimage to De Kluis, held on the last Sunday in June since 1758. If you plan to attend the pilgrimage, check the event details before you travel.
Walks on the Schaelsberg
The Schaelsberg walking route is marked with white arrows on small yellow square signs. Route 4 Schin op Geul–Walem–Oud-Valkenburg is a varied walk of about 7 kilometres. The Molenweg, near De Kluis, offers a possible shortcut. Another option is the “Landelijk Schin op Geul” walking route: it passes through the hilly landscape of Valkenburg aan de Geul towards Walem, and by the Schaelsberg and De Kluis. Trail conditions and markings on this walking route may change; check both before setting out.
Cycling through Walem
The 23-kilometre Geuldalroute 1 cycle route runs through Valkenburg, Walem, Schin op Geul, Oud-Valkenburg, Broekhem and Houthem St. Gerlach, before returning to Valkenburg. In Walem, cyclists turn right onto the Kleineweg; De Kluis is at the edge of the forest. Walem is also relevant to road cyclists: they prepare here for a challenging climb. If you are choosing between walking and cycling, you can compare the distances directly: Route 4 covers about 7 kilometres on foot, while the Geuldalroute is 23 kilometres by bike.
Landscape and regional products
Walem offers beautiful views. Farms in Walem sell fresh milk and other food products to take away. The selection may vary from farm to farm; if interested, ask in advance what is available at the farm you plan to visit.
Discover more destinations: Berg En Terblijt, Valkenburg and Schin Op Geul.
Back to the main travel overview: Valkenburg Aan De Geul.
