Distance: Drive up
Summit Elevation: 1058'
Elevation Gain: 0'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0
Round trip time: 10 minutes
Recommended water: 0 oz.
Parking/Fees: €3 parking fee
Difficulty: Easy
Vaalserberg is the continental high point of the Netherlands. We were sight seeing in Maastricht and decided to drive up. The road was paved all the way and there was plenty of parking. In addition to being the high point, the summit is a tri-country intersection where the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium meet. On top was a hedge maze, some restaurants and shops, and on the Belgian side, a viewing tower that we didn't climb to save time. Views were blocked by tall trees (unless you climb the tower). We found the high point marker and also the tri-country monument. It was about a 10 minute effort with no gain. After, we bought soft serve ice cream for our hard work. To leave the parking lot, we needed to buy a token from a vending machine for 3 euros. One car did not read the sign and after 5 minutes of blocking the exit gate, realized they needed a token. A passenger ran to the machine and back, then unclogged the exit. The land, trees, and foliage of the Netherlands looked just like Michigan. Flat and green. Vaalserberg was a fun detour tacked on to a busy day around historic Maastrict.
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