Limburg will soon be a cycling experience richer: ‘Cycling Underground’ in the Mergelland. In the wake of cycling projects such as ‘Cycling through Water’ in Bokrijk, ‘Cycling through the Trees’ in Bosland, and ‘Cycling through the Heathland’ in the Hoge Kempen National Park, cyclists will be able to pedal through the marl quarries along the Albert Canal in Riemst starting in the summer of 2024.
Visit Limburg continues to innovate to increase the experience value of the cycling route network. The realisation of a new cycling experience will immerse cyclists in the Limburg marl, the typical rock in south-eastern Limburg. It will be an experiential trail, up to 30 metres underground, with architectural eye-catchers at the entrance and exit. The underground cycling path will run parallel to the towpath along the Albert Canal in the Mathusberg quarries for about 350 metres. Safety is paramount: the path will have sight lines to the canal over a length of 150 metres. The other half runs in darkness, offering cyclists a real ‘underground’ feeling with minimal lighting. The designers will also take into account the bat population present and will keep interventions in the existing corridor system to a minimum.