24 hours hiking through nature around Venlo

Today you will do a lot of walking in the nature reserve around Venlo. So a full stomach is probably a good idea Once you get off at Venlo station, set course for STEK. A relaxed spot for a leisurely start to your day. The cheerful yellow walls and friendly service are sure to put a smile on your face. At STEK, they prove that good food can also be very healthy. The tastiest creations emerge from the kitchen - which they themselves call their culinary playground. Treat yourself to the STEK latte with roses, cardamom, apple, pear and an espresso shot. Also highly recommended: the yoghurt bowl with homemade granola. Bring a jar to enjoy at home.

STEK is just over a 5-minute walk from Venlo station.

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00
• You can order breakfast here for €7 p.p.

Begijnengang 2, Venlo, stekvenlo.nl

On to De Groote Heide: a large nature reserve east of Venlo and close to the German border. From STEK, walk back to Venlo station and rent an OV-fiets. With just under 15 minutes' cycling you reach Gasterij Groote Heide. The white route starts here. A 6-kilometre route that traverses the Limburg countryside. Along the way, you will pass rare red heath, flowering birch trees and vast stretches of sand. The area is not only rich in nature, but also in history. During World War II, De Groote Heide was a major airport: Fliegerhorst. On your walk, you will regularly come across traces of this era, such as a remnant of the old runway.

From STEK, walk back to Venlo station and rent an OV-fiets. You can reach Gasterij Groote Heide in 15 minutes.

• There are white posts along the route to follow
• Free maps are available at Gasterij Groote Heide

Route starting point: Hinsbeckerweg 55, Venlo, limburgs-landschap.nl

This 'backyard of Venlo' is a lovely place to recover from your hike through the nature reserve. Plop down on the terrace on sunny days. From here, you overlook a forest backdrop dominated by grazing sheep. The menu is a mix of sweet, savoury, vegetarian/vegan and meat. Many dishes are created in collaboration with local partners. Tip: order the mushroom croquettes from Restaurant Valuas. 

At the end of the white route, you will arrive at Gasterij Groote Heide.

• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
• You can order a small lunch dish here for +/- €10

Hinsbeckerweg 55, Venlo gasterijgrooteheide.nl

Time for the next activity. Get back on your OV-fiets and pedal towards Steyl. There - in the middle of the monastery village - you will find the Jochumhof Botanical Garden. In the early 20th century, Father Peter Jochum created this garden to teach biology to monastic students. Today it is several gardens, each with its own unique nature. You're certain to feel like you're around the Mediterranean for a while in the colourful Mediterranean greenhouse. In the botanical garden, you can discover all the landscapes of North Limburg in one place. The fragrant herb garden is full of familiar and unfamiliar herbs. Have you ever heard of meum? Tip: end your visit with a cup of coffee at the Grand Café. A unique place where you can sit in the decor of an 1880s grocery shop.

From Gasterij Groote Heide, you can cycle to De Jochumhof in about 30 minutes.

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 - 17:00, Sunday from 10:00 - 17:00
• Entrance to the garden: €3 p.p.
• Guided tours are available for groups of up to 15 people. Book a one-hour general tour via the website (€50 plus €3 p.p. admission) or sign up for the extended 2-hour tour (€75 plus €3 p.p. admission)

Maashoek 2B, Steyl, jochumhof.nl

The evening is approaching. It's time for dinner. From the Jochumhof, cycle back to Venlo. To be precise, to the Blerick district, to restaurant Sur Meuse. This restaurant is located on the Meuse - sur Meuse means 'on the Meuse' in French. The white façade flaunts the building's construction year: 1705. Did you know that this is the oldest building in Blerick? From the terrace, you can overlook the rippling waters of the Meuse. After the three-course dinner, stroll along the waterfront as the sun slowly sets. A relaxing end to your day.

From Jochumhof Botanical Garden, you can cycle to restaurant Sur Meuse in about 20 minutes.

• Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 - 21:00, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 - 22:00
• You can expect to pay around +/- €20 for a main course here. The three-course seasonal menu is €35.50 p.p.

Helling 5, Blerick, surmeuse.nl

Your day of hiking near Venlo has come to an end. If you want to wake up the next morning in the middle of Limburg nature, book a stay at Hotel Maashof. Here you will find an oasis of calm in a fairytale setting. A large garden with a pond adjoins the hotel. Take a seat on a bench, feel the sun on your face and hear the birds singing. The very best way to wake up. Do you have some time left? Dive into luxurious wellness. Fully relax in the Finnish sauna and hot steam bath. Fully recharged, you can cycle back to Venlo station in about 20 minutes after your stay.

From restaurant Sur Meuse, you can cycle to Hotel Maashof in just over 10 minutes. 

• Book a double room here from €110 per night
• Don't wait too long to book: the hotel is popular

Maashoflaan 1, Venlo, maashof.com

^{Copy: Jeske van Steen - Insiders
Images: De Groote Heide, STEK, Maashof, Venlo-Partners, Pexels, Palickap Wikipedia}