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13.6 km
~2 hrs 47 min
43 m
Loop
“A calm, nearly level Meinweg loop drifts past heath-fringed ponds and peat hollows—sometimes muddy.”
Expect a calm, almost pancake-flat loop of about 14 km / 8.7 mi with roughly 0 m / 0 ft of climbing—more of a nature-and-wetlands ramble than a “workout” hike. You’ll be walking in and around Nationaal Park De Meinweg, east of Roermond (Limburg, Netherlands), where forests and heathland wrap around a chain of small lakes/ponds (“vennen”) and former peat-cutting hollows. The terrain is generally easy underfoot, but it can turn soft, muddy, and puddled after rain—especially near the vennen and in low-lying forest tracks.
By car: Navigate to the address above; it’s a common starting point for signed routes in De Meinweg.
By public transport: De Meinweg is reachable via rail stations including Roermond and Swalmen, with onward options by bus, walking, cycling, or OV-fiets rental depending on your plan. If you’re coming from Germany, Dalheim is also referenced as an access point into the area. ([limburgsemaasterrassen.nl](https://limburgsemaasterrassen.nl/nl/eropuit/bereikbaarheid?utm_source=openai)) Use HiiKER to pin the exact start point you choose (Venhof parking vs. another park parking) and to confirm the loop alignment before you set off.
3–8 km (1.9–5.0 mi): Turfkoelen + Rolvennen—water, heath, and boardwalk-style edges This middle portion is the highlight: you move between open heath and wetland edges where the landscape feels more spacious and light-filled. The Rolvennen are a cluster of small lakes close together, and they’re known for calm viewpoints over the water and seasonal aquatic plants (including water-lily patches in the right season). ([komoot.com](https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/159502?utm_source=openai)) “Turfkoelen” refers to peat-cutting hollows—low, wet depressions created by historical turf extraction—so expect boggier ground and narrower, damp paths in places. Keep an eye out for: - Waterfowl (ducks, coots) and amphibian habitat around the vennen ([komoot.com](https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/159502?utm_source=openai)) - Dragonflies in warmer months near still water ([komoot.com](https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/159502?utm_source=openai)) - Heathland edges that can be surprisingly exposed to wind despite the “flat” profile
Practical note: even on an “easy” loop, this is where you’ll want footwear that tolerates wet ground—trail shoes can work in dry weather, but after rain light boots or waterproof trail runners are more comfortable.
8–14 km (5.0–8.7 mi): returning through forest and terrace-country The back half usually feels more sheltered again as you re-enter denser woodland. Even though your hike is essentially flat, the broader region is famous for its terraced landscape—the Limburgse Maasterrassen—formed by earth movements along the Peel Boundary Fault (Peelrandbreuk) combined with erosion. The area’s terrace transitions can total around **50 m (164 ft
Surfaces
Sand
Unknown
Gravel
Dirt
Unpaved
Asphalt
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