Ready for a lovely day outdoors, getting active, and enjoying nature? đđ This year, the ODS-Vitaal Autumn Walk is taking place in Reuver! For the first time, we’ll be walking here, and we’ve created some beautiful new routes just for you!
The start and finish are at De Witte Stein, an ideal location for a fun and active outing. Will you be heading out with your colleagues, or bringing the whole family along? Weâre excited to share this special autumn day with you!
On the banks of the Meuse, between Roermond and Venlo, lies the charming municipality of Beesel. With its villages of Beesel, Reuver, Offenbeek, Rijkel, and Ronckenstein, it marks the green gateway to northern Limburg. This year, Beesel celebrates its 750th anniversary: a milestone that can be felt in the stories, buildings, and landscapes all around you.
Reuver blossomed into a vibrant ceramics hub after the railway station opened in 1863.
Factories such as St. Joris, among many others, produced stoneware pipes and roof tiles, using clay sourced from Belfeld and just across the German border. And those old clay pits? Today, they have been transformed into beautiful nature reserves, perfect for long walks.
Be surprised by the blend of culture, history and nature. Beesel is not just a place to walk, itâs a place to experience.
Beesel is also known as the village of the Draaksteken. The Draaksteken is a spectacular open-air play about Saint George and the Dragon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Every seven years, around 800 local residents come together to build the stage, create the dragon, and perform all the roles themselves. At least 15,000 people come to watch and enjoy this unique event. The most recent performance, in 2023, was even featured in a national documentary. The Draaksteken is recognized as part of the Cultural Heritage of the Netherlands.
Everyone knows the roller coaster ‘Joris en de Draak’ at the Efteling⌠but do you know where the story really comes from? In Beesel, this legend has been kept alive for centuries and this year, ODS-Vitaal walkers get a unique chance to experience the Draaksteken up close.
Step into the centuries-old story of Saint Joris and the dragon in a shortened version created especially for ODS-Vitaal, including an introduction by the organizers of Draaksteken Beesel. The Draaksteken is only performed once every seven years, the next chance wonât come until 2030! Let yourself be carried away by the magic of Beesel and the heroes who bring this legend to life.
Watch spectacular scenes from Geluif in ât goeje, the film that follows the grand open-air theater spectacle of the Draaksteken. Discover how the people of Beesel find their own solutions to lifeâs greatest challenges.
Let the little ones shine as a princess, king, knight, or hero from the story. With face paint, theyâll become part of the Draaksteken adventure themselves.
De Witte Stein is a border post in the forest between Reuver and Bracht. This beautiful spot is the start and finish point for all three routes. For the little ones, thereâs a wonderful playground, plenty of parking, and a great restaurant. On the German side, youâll also find the old RAF munitions depot, which between 1948 and 1996 was the largest depot in Europe. Today, although still fenced, itâs open to walkers and cyclists.
We start all three walksâ5, 10, and 15 kilometersâfrom restaurant De Witte Stein in Reuver. For centuries, De Witte Stein has been a symbol of the border between Gelre and JĂźlich, now the Netherlands and Germany. This historic “white paelsteyn” was placed in 1551 near the Koning Karlsweg (now Prinsendijk). This ancient road, which plays a central role in all three routes, dates back to Roman times and once connected Xanten with Heerlen and Aachen. Moreover, this route is part of both the Pieterpad and the Camino.
The 5 km route is perfect for families and curious walkers. Youâll wander through the mysterious grounds of the former British munitions depot, once the largest in Europe. Today, itâs a surprising nature reserve where deer may cross your path. Along the way, weâll visit the old fire brigade watchtower and stroll the wide trails of the area.
But watch out: the journey offers more than just beautiful views⌠youâll also receive an important mission! During the partial dismantling of the site, old treasure chests were discovered. They remain locked and can only be opened with a special code.
How do you find the code? By solving puzzles together. Each correct answer gives you a number. Collect all the numbers and youâll uncover the secret code that just might unlock one of the chests⌠đď¸â¨
The 10 and 15 km routes take you in a different direction: we head north. We walk along the opposite side of the former British munitions depot and make our way toward the steep ridge near Belfeld. Here, you can truly see how the Meuse Valley was formed in “terraces,” each about ten meters high. The ridge we reach lies approximately twenty meters above the Meuse River. As far back as ancient times, high-quality clay was extracted from this area.
The big change came in 1862, when the national road and railway from Roermond to Nijmegen were constructed, complete with a station in Reuver. This sparked rapid development of the ceramic industry in our region, especially in Offenbeek, where the well-known stoneware pipes were produced.
We walk pastâand partly throughâboth old and new clay excavation sites. The landscape is surprisingly hilly, youâll soon discover that this area is anything but flat!
After about 5.5 kilometers, we return to De Witte Stein for a well-deserved break.
The journey then continues southward, toward the Brachterwald. This German nature reserve, together with the Elmpterwald and the Meinweg, forms a vast cross-border nature park. Here again, youâll feel the elevation changes quite clearly. The Prinsendijk marks the border, an ancient road once used by Roman legions. On the Swalmen side, a section of the original Roman road has even been uncovered.
On the way back, we walk along the western side of the Prinsendijk, entering the Meerlebroek area. This former peat and marshland lies at the base of the steep ridge and benefits from rainwater that slowly seeps through the soil. In the past, peat was cut here, and the name ‘Meerle’ refers to a type of falcon that was once commonly found in this region.
Directly after World War II, the area was cultivated by farmers from West Friesland, who came in search of new agricultural land. In the 1990s, it was transformed back into a nature reserve, as compensation for the construction of the A73 motorway. Today, itâs a wet, vibrant landscape where countless bird species thrive: a surprising and beautiful conclusion to this varied walking tour.
The start and finish location is De Witte Stein in Reuver. Upon your arrival, please report to the ODS-Vitaal information desk. On presentation of your ticket(s), you will then receive your walk description and consumption tokens.
The venue is fully facilitated. This includes:
During your walk, we will make sure you don’t come up short on anything. With the ODS-Vitaal coins, you will receive the following:
Do you have dietary requirements? No problem! Please indicate this two weeks in advance by sending an email to: info@ods-vitaal.nl
Navigation address:
Keulseweg 193, 5953 HJ Reuver
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Discover the magic of the ODS-Vitaal Autumn Walk in Reuver with your family or colleagues!
On Sunday, October 5th, itâs time for a beautiful autumn walk in Reuver. Will you join us? This year, the walk takes place for the first time in charming Reuver, with the start and finish at the De Witte Stein: a great spot with a restaurant and a large playground for the kids!
Choose your ideal route: 5, 10, or 15 km, thereâs something for everyone. Solve a fun puzzle trail with your children or enjoy fresh air and good company with colleagues while walking through stunning nature and past historic sites.
Along the way, youâll discover interesting stories about the old munitions depot, ancient Roman roads and the colorful Maas valley. At the rest stops, tasty treats await. This is a day for everyone who loves nature, walking, and most of all, good company. More info and registration: ods-wandeling.nl
