The Gulp Valley, the "Foreign" Side of the Netherlands:
Discovering Dutch Heights with Old Friends
We were away for a weekend for a short reunion with friends who live in Maastricht. On the first day, we stayed close to their home, and while walking around in their neighborhood, we were the ones pointing out that the Pieter path passes near their home. They didn’t know.
.
The next day, they took us to a beautiful spot that was unknown to us. During this 3-mile hike, we discovered that mountain hiking in the Netherlands is indeed possible.
The Gulp Valley, shaped by the 13-mile meandering Gulp River, is a picturesque area located in southeastern Netherlands and eastern Belgium. Situated within the valley is the medieval hillside Groote Bosch forest with deciduous trees. This hike, climbing into the hills, with views of the surrounding hills and later along the Gulp, made the Netherlands feel surprisingly foreign. Even Slenaken, a cute village within the Gulp Valley, felt unfamiliar.
After our hike, we enjoyed a relaxed lunch in Herberg-Restaurant “De Boswachter” in Slenaken. It was a perfect way to end our weekend with friends.
Date
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Distance
3.12 miles
5.0 km
Moving Time
1:17:43
hours
Weather
11 °C,
moderate breeze