Paddling near Kerkrade, Limburg

Kerkrade sits in the hilly southeastern corner of Limburg, close to the Belgian and German borders. The paddling scene here centres on the Grensmaas — the border-forming stretch of the Maas — where kayakers, canoeists and rafters move through a nature reserve of old river arms, gravel banks and levees. Closer to the city, small streams such as the Strabeek and Watervalderbeek wind through the landscape, while the Asseltse Plassen and Oolderplas provide calmer flatwater options within the broader Limburg region.