The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Bunderbos

Ensure waterproof footwear, because due to all the streams and springs, there are many mud puddles on the route that you have to go through.

The parish of St. Martin was founded before or around the year 1000. It is not known when the first and second churches were built. The first church is said to have been made of wood and the second church of marl. The west tower was built in the 14th century. The Gothic choir was built in 1626. In the period 1664-1806/1820 (depending on the source), the church was used by the Roman Catholic parish of H. Martinus and the then Reformed (Protestant) community of Geul. It was also a refuge for Protestants living on the other side of the Maas in the land of Rekem. In the years 1919-1920, a part was demolished and rebuilt. The church at the time, which was demolished, would have been the third church. From this church, after a cross enlargement, only the priest's choir, which is now used as a daily chapel, and the tower remain. The new nave was rebuilt through the existing church and is based on the design of the Maastricht architect Hubert van Groenendael. This gave the church its typical cross shape.

You could once look down nicely from the Snijdersberg, as told in a piece about the Penderjansknub - see https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/4184016. Here too, at the end of the picnic area (walk to the furthest bench), there is a viewpoint/vista, although it is not always clear. On the other side of the area (by the road), you will also find some nice sights if you want to linger here for a while. There is a hand-crank well and, this is also mentioned in a book about the bokkenrijderswandeling in Geulle, a stone bench with drawings on it of sights in Geulle by children from the region. Actually an extra highlight for me, with the support of the Heemkunde-vereniging Gäöl. But I just uploaded some photos.

You can look down from various places, towards Geulle aan de Maas (with its striking church) which lies between the Maas and the Julianakanaal, and of course much further. But the Penderjansknub and Snijdersberg are the "place to be" for the best views now. The view from Snijdersberg and Penderjansknub was apparently much freer according to a book with old postcards, according to an article about it on the website of the local history association Gäöl. So people from the village could see the different parts: from top to bottom but of course also vice versa! The view over Penderjansknub was created after discussions with Staatsbosbeheer by the village community. Because without tree felling on the slope, there is of course no view anymore – and then your experience of the village's past is completely gone! A little further than Penderjansknub, at the picnic spot of Snijdersberg, there is a viewpoint. You have to walk there, to the bench furthest from the road. Did you know: the Penderjansknup (apparently with a "p") is or was the carnival award of De Bokkerieers, the local carnival association. More at http://geulle.com/wordpress/?page_id=163

When leaving the Bunderbos, you arrive here in the quiet hamlet of Snijdersberg. To the right of the triangular square, there are a few picnic benches on a lawn between pollarded trees. An ideal resting and picnic spot.

This beautiful spot is called Penderjansknub. It is located in the beautiful nature reserve the Bunderbos, known for its wooden stairs, steep slopes, and beautiful views.

The Elsoër forest is the steepest slope forest in the Netherlands! All sorts of spring streams flow through the forest. This special ecosystem is home to rare forest plants and aquatic animals such as newts and frogs. This piece of nature is so special that it has been included as a protected area by the European Union.

In addition to pedestrian traffic, the place also serves as a passage for the fast-flowing Hemelbeek. The pedestrian path is narrow and dark, especially if you encounter oncoming traffic, it is best to be careful not to step off the path.