Maaspad (Meuse Path)
How would you rate Maaspad (Meuse Path)?
Tap a star to share your experience and help other hikers.
Maaspad (Meuse Path): A Complete Hiking Guide
HikeList Score
Maaspad (Meuse Path) scored 72/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 75
- Balanced challenge 50
- Scenery & wildness 59
- Varied terrain 83
- Accommodation 83
- Food & support 88
- Path quality 80
- Season flexibility 89
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
The Maaspad, or Meuse Path, is a 415 km point-to-point walk across the Netherlands, following the River Maas from Eijsden in Limburg to Rockanje on the North Sea coast. It is an easy, mostly flat lowland route, normally walked in 20 official stages. It suits hikers who want a long Dutch thru-hike with straightforward terrain, regular towns and public-transport access, but who are ready for long days on dikes, floodplains, polders and riverside paths.
Route Overview
The route starts in Eijsden, the southernmost village in the Netherlands, and heads north and west through Limburg, Noord-Brabant and Zuid-Holland before finishing at Rockanje aan Zee. Key stops include Maastricht, Roermond, Venlo, Arcen, Boxmeer, Cuijk, Den Bosch, Waalwijk, Geertruidenberg, Moerdijk, Willemstad, Stellendam and Rockanje. Stage ends are in towns or villages and are reachable by public transport, making section-walking practical. The official line continues beyond the Rhine/Waal area via the Bergsche Maas, Amer, Hollandsch Diep and Haringvliet; it does not finish at Gorinchem. For more wetland walking nearby, compare the Biesbosch National Park Trail.
History of the Maaspad
The Maaspad was created by Dutch walker Nico Gerrits, who had twice walked the Pieterpad and wanted to design his own long-distance route. Drawn to walking beside water, he chose the Dutch stretch of the Maas from Eijsden towards the sea. The route launched in 2014. Sander Verbroekken was the first person to complete it end to end, walking from 20 July to 12 August 2014 and receiving the first Maaspad certificate. A route tradition is carrying Maas water to the sea at Rockanje.
Notable highlights
- Eijsden: The southernmost village in the Netherlands and the official start, on the Maas by the Belgian border. Kasteel Eijsden, a moated castle, adds an immediate historic landmark.
- Maastricht: Stage 1 ends in one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities, with Roman origins, the Basilica of Saint Servatius and a busy Maas riverfront.
- Nationaal Park De Maasduinen: Stages 8–9 pass sandy river dunes, heath and woodland in northern Limburg, briefly crossing into Germany near Walbeck. For another Limburg nature route, see the De Meinweg National Park Trail.
- 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch): Reached on stage 13, the Noord-Brabant capital is known for St John’s Cathedral and its link to painter Hieronymus Bosch.
- The Biesbosch and fortress towns: Stages 16–17 follow the Amer/Bergsche Maas and Hollandsch Diep dikes past the Biesbosch wetland area, Geertruidenberg, Klundert and Willemstad.
- Rockanje on the North Sea: The finish is reached via the Haringvlietdam and Goeree-Overflakkee, ending at the beach. If you want more coast after the Maaspad, consider the Dutch Coastal Path (Hollands Kustpad).
Challenges to expect
The Maaspad is easy underfoot but long: 415 km over 20 stages. Expect exposed dikes and polders, limited shade, occasional service gaps and some monotonous road or industrial sections, including around Moerdijk and stage 18. Floodplain paths can be muddy after rain, and winter or early-spring Maas flooding may affect low paths. Navigation is best done with the official guide booklet or stage descriptions rather than relying on dense waymarking.
HikeList Score
Maaspad (Meuse Path) scored 72/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 75
- Balanced challenge 50
- Scenery & wildness 59
- Varied terrain 83
- Accommodation 83
- Food & support 88
- Path quality 80
- Season flexibility 89
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
NetherlandsShow more data Show less
- Lowland
- Wetlands
- Urban
- Paved
- Gravel
- Dirt
- Hotels
- Hostels
- Campsites
- Family Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Restrooms
- Water Sources
- Campsites
- Picnic Areas
Photos from hikers
Taken on the trail by people who've reviewed Maaspad (Meuse Path).
Start in Eijsden village centre and follow the Maas to Maastricht, one of the main historic city stops on the route.
Continue north through the Maas corridor from Maastricht to Berg aan de Maas.
A lowland river stage linking Berg aan de Maas with Ohe en Laak.
Follow the Maas landscape to Roermond, a historic Limburg city and natural waypoint on the trail.
Walk north from Roermond to Reuver on mixed riverside and lowland terrain.
Continue along the Maas to Venlo, one of the larger towns on the official stage sequence.
A Maas-side stage from Venlo to Arcen, setting up the De Maasduinen section.
Pass through Nationaal Park De Maasduinen, with sandy heath and woodland, and briefly cross into Germany near Walbeck.
Continue north from Well to Boxmeer after the De Maasduinen area.
Follow the official route from Boxmeer to Cuijk on the Maas corridor.
Walk from Cuijk to Ravenstein through the continuing lowland river landscape.
A river and dike stage linking Ravenstein with Lith.
Head to Den Bosch, the Noord-Brabant capital and one of the major urban highlights of the Maaspad.
Leave Den Bosch and continue west to Waalwijk.
Walk from Waalwijk to the historic garrison town of Geertruidenberg.
Follow the Amer and Bergsche Maas with views over the Biesbosch, passing Drimmelen and Lage Zwaluwe.
Continue via the fortress town of Klundert and the Hollandsch Diep dike to Willemstad.
Cross onto the island of Goeree-Overflakkee and continue towards Stad aan 't Haringvliet.
Walk across the island landscape from Stad aan 't Haringvliet to Stellendam.
The final stage reaches Rockanje and finishes on the North Sea beach.
Reviews
How would you rate Maaspad (Meuse Path)?
Tap a star to start your review — you could be the first.
