Stokkem – orange hiking route

This hike shows you how beautiful nature can be in an area where the Maas can do as it pleases. The area around Visitor Centre De Wissen is ideal for exploring on foot. You can take a refreshing stroll along the Maas and in the nature reserves and soak up some history in the village centres of Stokkem and Oud-Dilsen. 

Stokkem is an old basket-weaving town. You still find references to basketry everywhere. And rods are the one-year-old pieces of willow used to weave baskets. You’ll find willow everywhere you look. Learn about Stokkem, basket weaving and the Maas in all its facets at the Visitor Centre. 

From the Visitor Centre, head towards the hamlet of Boyen, where you seek out the Maas and dive into the rambling area. You follow the Maas upstream here to the Negenoord-Kerkeweerd nature reserve. Along the way, you may come face to face with the large, friendly grazers that maintain the area. The Galloway cattle and Konik ponies are free to roam around here, including on the paths, so take care where you walk. 

In any case, you can’t miss the loam observation tower. Climb the tower for stunning views of the river Maas and surrounding countryside. The beaver has also made its home in this area. The animal itself is not that easy to spot, unlike the signs of its gnawing.

Nature along the way is managed by Limburgs Landschap.