Cycling through beautiful natural areas already makes you very happy, but this route will make you extra happy. This bicycle tour takes you along the most beautiful places in the municipality of Roerdalen. Experience the silence of the forest, taste the cozy atmosphere and enjoy the hospitable villages and take your time to absorb these Places of Happiness.
26 places of happiness
The starting and finishing point of this bicycle tour is in the village of Sint Odiliënberg. The municipality of Roerdalen, with a total of 20,000 inhabitants, consists of six villages. Everyone naturally seeks happiness, and the municipality eventually selected 26 Happiness Spots that are of interest to residents. Six of these spots are also particularly attractive to children.
During this bicycle tour, you will discover several Happiness spots. You start in Sint Odiliënberg and cycle to Montfort, where you will encounter place of happiness 3, also known as “The Sweeltje's Gold Treasure”. This location is a true treasure for nature lovers looking for a peaceful place to enjoy.
From Montfort, continue cycling toward Posterholt, where Place of Happiness 25, the Council of Eleven, is. Near two benches is Posterholt's carnival monument, the Biemosjebaum. You then cycle on to Vlodrop, where you will discover Place of Happiness 24, the Weeping Willows of the Kerkberg. From here you have a beautiful view of the large Neo-Romanesque church located on a slope.
Then cycle on to Luck Spot 17, the Wheel of Fortune, where the Gitstapper mill has the great wheel of fortune. Explore the Wheel of Fortune before cycling toward St. Ludwig, where you can find Luck Spot 16: St. Ludwig's Bat Path. This romantic path winds through the swamp of Red Brook.
After Place of Happiness 16, cycle past Place of Happiness 15, the Pavilion of the MERU Forest Park, and continue through beautiful Herkenbosch back to your starting point in Sint Odiliënberg.
Actively working on being happy
At each spot you will be given three fun tips to implement. Try these tips with others and happiness will come naturally. It is important to actually be creative and active. Just reading about happiness will probably not make you happier. You just have to do something yourself.
More information
This route takes you along a number of the 26 Happiness Places. At the Geluksinfopunten in the municipality and at the VVV Roermond tourist information office, you can get a brochure describing all the 'Geluksplekken' with a handy map.
Please note: this route goes partly along unpaved paths.