The Erasmus diary of Rosalinda n°4

Discovering the Hidden Peak: Vaalserberg – The Only Mountain in the Netherlands

If you thought the Netherlands was entirely flat, think again! Just an hour away from Maastricht is located Vaalserberg, a peak famous for its unique marker where you can visit three countries at once: the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It's quite surreal.

Our trip was spontaneous, and given how close it is, why not go on a little nature adventure? We started early in the morning, as we do with any journey. It’s important to note that 3-4 hours is enough time to explore the area because it isn’t very big.Just make sure to check the weather, as most locals wear rain boots due to the generally muddy conditions.

You have two options for getting there: by car, which takes about 30 minutes from Maastricht with parking available for 1-2 euros in cash, or by public transport on bus 350. You can buy tickets via the Glimble app, which provides the route from point A to B, or directly at the station. Fortunately, the starting station was nearby, so I checked the schedule in advance, or you can visit arriva.nl. We left at 8:30 AM, and the return ticket cost 8 euros.

The journey wasn't as complicated as I had thought. We traveled to the station named Vaals, a small town. From there, it's a straight walk with a right turn until you reach the first incline – a sure sign you're on the right path. The route passes by numerous upscale houses with beautiful, aesthetic exteriors. Just before the forest begins, there are apartments, and the incline becomes steeper. Despite the incline, locals easily navigate on bicycles, whether slim or a bit fuller; they ride effortlessly, or they're excellent at hiding their exertion. Meanwhile, I felt the strain, unused to anything but flat terrain.

From the station, it took us about 20 minutes to reach the first restaurant, Brasserie Restaurant, which opens at 10 AM. The restaurant features a 35m tall observation tower with tokens for entry costing 4 euros, which you can buy inside. We took advantage of the early hours when it was still empty. The tower has a long transparent floor, offering a unique view below. I was surprised to see this and suggested to my friend that we sit there for breakfast.

As more people arrived, we decided to go to the restaurant and try the famous rice pudding. Although it’s known as a sugar bomb, it was just right – creamy and not overly sweet.

We continued to the Three Points but encountered the Labyrinth Park first. I can't tell you the entrance fee because we somehow slipped in unnoticed. Normally, you get a “passport” with riddles and tasks to reach the endpoint, taking about 40 minutes to an hour. My friend and I tried every possible route and eventually followed a group. The park features fountains you must wait for to pass without getting wet. At one point, I was separated from my friend and the group by a large fountain, waiting 20 minutes to cross. Eventually, the water stopped, and I hurried across. We continued, only to find ourselves at the start of the labyrinth. We gave up without solving it. Exiting the park felt like another maze, highlighting our poor sense of direction.

We pressed on to our final destination – the famous stone marker dividing the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany (NL, B, D). Shortly after arriving, I received a welcome message from Belgium. The area was crowded with people taking photos. If you need a break, there’s a restaurant and another tower nearby. Alternatively, you can walk back through the forest, but remember, it’s quite muddy.

Our visit lasted until 2 PM. The entire trip was pleasant and active, and we even managed to avoid the rain, which started just as we reached our station on the way back. After this adventure, we were exhausted and eager to get home and rest, despite the short distance. It was a refreshing change of pace that I highly recommend.

See you on my next weekly diary!