Gulpen: Hiking, Art and History

Explore Gulpen according to your specific interests: hiking trails follow the Gulp or lead over the Gulperberg, the town centre features church architecture and public art, and brewery experiences and recurring events are also part of the offering.

Hiking along the Gulp and the Gulperberg

The Gulproute starts below the Gulperberg, follows the Gulp, passes Kasteel Neubourg and heads towards Euverem. Hop fields lie along the route, which also offers views of the Heuvelland. Its stated landmarks combine the river, fields and landscape views, without requiring a specific walking time.

Another option is the “Wandelroute Gulperberg Gulpen” hiking route, which goes over and around the Gulperberg and uses hiking junctions. From another section of the mountain, the Gulperberg route offers views of the Geul and Gulp valleys near the Mariamonument. The two rivers meet in Gulpen. The concrete Mariamonument on the Gulperberg was also created in 1935 by sculptor Charles Vos and architect Piet Gerrits.

When choosing a route, you can compare the features described: the Gulproute follows the Gulp and heads towards Euverem; the Wandelroute Gulperberg Gulpen runs over and around the mountain and follows hiking junctions. This lets you decide which description better suits your plans based on the stated landscape and route features.

Church architecture and art in the town centre

The tower of the old St Peter’s Church stands in the walled churchyard in the centre of Gulpen. It dates from the 11th to 13th centuries and was extended later. The Catholic St Peter’s Church is also in the centre, in a square-like setting. Built in 1924 in the Neo-Romanesque style, it was designed by Roermond architect Caspar Franssen. Its cultural and architectural-historical significance also includes its connection to Franssen’s work.

A route through the town centre focuses on public art: “Kuieren langs kunst in Gulpen” (Strolling past art in Gulpen) showcases a variety of works, including façade stones, murals, statues and fountains. The cultural highlights therefore range from the medieval church tower and 20th-century architecture to artworks in the public realm. The route has a different focus from the paths around the Gulp and the Gulperberg.

Brewery and group activities

A tour of the Gulpener Bierbrouwerij includes a walk through the brewery, a tasting of fresh unfiltered beer and a blind tasting of three Gulpener speciality beers. These tastings give the visit a clear structure and focus on different beers.

The Gulpener Brouwlokaal offers a High Beer experience, a café-restaurant and a beer garden serving speciality beer. Another activity is Rocca’s ENIGMA escape-room offering, which extends into the Gulpen countryside. Teams solve puzzles together and complete challenges against the clock. Alongside routes and cultural attractions, you can therefore choose group puzzles and challenges or beer-related experiences.

Market and annual hiking challenge

The Hubertusmarkt in Gulpen was first held in 1544. This annual market features activities for children, a Cittaslowplein and around 150 market stalls. The approximate number of stalls gives an idea of the market’s scale; the children’s activities and Cittaslowplein add further elements to the programme.

A different kind of annual event is the Nacht van Gulpen, a sporting hiking challenge through hilly South Limburg that draws hundreds of walkers. The two events therefore have clearly different focuses: the Hubertusmarkt centres on market stalls and activities, while the Nacht van Gulpen is a sporting hike. Which one interests you depends on whether you would like to experience a market or a hiking challenge.

Discover more destinations: Wijlre, Mechelen, Elkenrade, Heijenrath, Slenaken, Wittem, Epen, Eys

For the broader travel overview: Gulpen-Wittem.