Autoroute Groenmetropool

The area of the 'Green Metropolis' extends from Beringen (B) in the West, to Heerlen (NL) and Düren (D) in the East. This region is one of the oldest coalfields in Europe.

For centuries the landscape was dominated by the coal industry. But even after this coal age, this area appears to be boundless and the challenge of giving shape and content to the change from 'black to green' appears to be a binding factor.

To emphasize the solidarity within the 'Green Metropolis', two recreational routes have been developed: the Groenmetropool bicycle route and the Groenmetropool car route.

More than 70 places of interest and nature and recreation areas are connected via these routes. Multilingual information on the spot (the so-called 'Infopoints'), a clear map (available from the tourist information offices) encourage further discovery of the region. More information about these routes is available at: www.gruenmetropole.eu .

The car route is specially signposted in the Netherlands and Germany via the blue Groenmetropool-Car signs and is approximately 300 km long from Duren to Beringen.

If you have any comments about the route, you can report them to routepunt@visitzuidlimburg.nl .