Drielandenpunt

The Drielandenpunt is the tripoint where the borders of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany meet, marked by a stone on a wooded hilltop at 322 metres, which is also the highest point in the European Netherlands and was a quadripoint until 1919, when the tiny territory of Neutral Moresnet on the Belgian side was dissolved. The immediate area is a small tourist complex with an observation tower, a hedge maze, cafes and car parks on the Dutch side, and it is one of the most visited spots in the region. The Belgian approach through the woods is quieter. From the tower the view runs over three countries on a clear day. The historical curiosity of Neutral Moresnet, an anomaly created by a zinc mine, is explained on panels.

What you actually see

• The tripoint marker - the stone where three borders meet.
• The Netherlands high point - 322 metres, the highest in the European part.
• The observation tower - three countries in one view on clear days.
• The Neutral Moresnet story - the vanished territory that made it a quadripoint.

When to go

April to October; the complex is open year round with reduced winter hours. Two hours. Weekends and Dutch holidays are extremely busy. The Belgian woodland approach on foot is quieter and better.

Honest expectations

It is a commercial complex of cafes, car parks and paid attractions around a boundary stone, which many visitors find disappointing. Weekends are crowded. The view from ground level is blocked by trees, so the tower is effectively necessary and charged.

Nearby

Vaals and Aachen are north-east; Voeren lies west.