Field Trip

Saturday 16 September

Full day excursion

The excursion takes place in the very South of the Netherlands, an almost atypically hilly area. This region has a variety of interesting places. The most beautiful forest sites of the Netherlands can be found here on the rich calcareus soils.

Programme

8.00 Departure from Abbey Rolduc (parking lot)

8.45 Walk tour along one of the naturally flowing rivers in the Netherlands and visit to the watermill 'volmolen'.

  • The river and its banks are owned by the Nature conservation agency ‘Natuurmonumenten’. This agency carries out a management aimed at restoring natural values.

10.30-11.00

Coffee with local cake at Wingbergermolen


11.00-11.30 Bus to State Forest Service

11.30 -13.30 Field walk at the management unit 'Vijlnerbos' of the State Forest service.

  • Discussion of the forest management issues in this highly urbanised region of the Netherlands. Part of the management unit is also a strict forest reserve. When visiting this reserve the ongoing research will be discussed.
13.30-14.00 Bus to St. Gerlach

14.00-15.30

Lunch at St. Gerlach

  • St. Gerlach (see the picture above) is one of the most famous country estates in the area of Maastricht. The history of the country estate dates back to the twelfth century. Since 1997, St Gerlach has been the home of the hotel restaurant. It offers historic settings with a picturesque landscape.
    St. Gerlach
15.30-16.00 Bus to Valkenburg (free time) and after that to the cave biking site


Option A. Cave biking
16.00-17.50 Cave biking
18.00 Departure from the cave biking site

Option B. Valkenburg
16.00-17.45 Free time in Valkenburg
17.45 Departure from agreed spot in Valkenburg

  • Valkenburg is one of the most enchanting places in the Netherlands. It is situated in the Limburg region and has been an important tourist attraction for the Netherlands. Valkenburg offers lot of activities from spass and museums to an amusement park, but even a walk in its historic setting with old castles and buildings is an experience.
    Tourist information

18.00 Transport to Heerlen railway station

Drops off at Heerlen Station for those who have an early Sunday flight. Please note that it takes 3 hours to get to the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Train to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol departs 18:57.

19:00 Appr. arrival to the Abbey Rolduc

20:00 Dinner at Abbey Rolduc

Please be prepared with rain gear and hiking or rubber boots. The paths can be muddy.

Please note that it is not possible to depart in the middle of the excursion.