Kessenich

About the village

Kessenich vanuit Kollegreend

In the Celtic period, Kessenich was situated on the Meuse. Over time, the Meuse has changed its bed several times. There are several old beds near the village, the silted-up Meuse meander that we now know as the ‘Vijverbroek’ being one of them. For a long time, Kessenich was part of the 'Drie Eigen’: the three mini-States of Kessenich, Neeritter and Thorn. Until French times, they jointly ruled over the common land between these villages.

Kessenich offers a wonderful combination of nature and culture. From the Meuse village, you can enter the nature development areas, where the typical fauna and flora of the Meuse valley is in full development.

What is there to do?

Hiking

The Kessenich area is ideal for exploring on foot. You spend most of your time in a rural environment, strolling along the Meuse and you can get a sense of the history in the villages of Kessenich, Ittervoort and Thorn. For those who like some help to get started, a few tips:

  • Discover the hiking region of Kessenich with its castle of Borgitter, the Itterbeek, wild river landscape in ‘Koningssteen-Kollegreend’ nature reserve and the special fauna and flora in the ‘Vijverbroek’. 
  • Explore remarkable patrimonial sites and monuments with the FARO Heritage App (tour 'erfgoedwandeling Kessenich') 
  • Set off with a Meuse Explorer in tow

 

Cycling

Thanks to the extensive cycling route network in Belgium and the Netherlands, you can create your own cycling route using junctions that are indicated in both directions. This way, you can decide which direction you want to go and how long your ride will be. Why not, during your bike ride, take a ferry to the other side of the river Meuse (via junction 22)? That way, cross-border cycling in the RivierPark Maasvallei becomes hassle-free. You can join the cycling route network via junction 21. There’s car parking near the old customs office (Venlosesteenweg 403E). You can map out your cycling route using the cross-border map RivierPark Maasvallei.  

 

Visits 

 

For more information and tips, please visit Kinrooi Tourism.