Meerssen cannot call itself the walking community of the Netherlands 2022. That honor goes to Lochem in Gelderland this year.
That makes the walking platform On Foot known† Lochem not only managed to get the most public votes, but was subsequently also elected by a jury as the walking municipality of the Netherlands.
Also read: Will Meerssen become the walking community of 2022?
Backlog
According to the platform, it soon became apparent that Meerssen was lagging behind the winner. Rhenen in Utrecht also did not get enough votes. The jury paid attention to, among other things, the maintenance of the routes and the number of unpaved hiking trails.
Vineyards
Despite the lost battle, the platform previously praised the Limburg municipality for its vineyards and side valleys of the Geuldal. Te Voet writes the following about Lochem: “Variety is the key word: slopes, farmlands, hills, wildlife, the meandering Berkel, the Gorsselse Heide, the Grote Veld, the IJssel and the many estates.”
Valkenburg aan de Geul
Last year’s winner is Loon op Zand in Brabant. In 2019, the winner came from Limburg: Valkenburg aan de Geul.