Belgium Beer Cycle

Please make your way to Genk and your hotel, which is situated in the delightful Molenvijver Park. Your can take an evening stroll in the park, or dependent on your arrival time we suggest visiting C-Mine: the former Winterslag coal mine which has been converted into a sprawling cultural sight, and the modern art gallery Labiomista.

The first day of this cycling holiday takes you over the Kempen Plateau. The journey immediately starts with a highlight as you ride on the cycle path through the ‘Mechelse Heide’, one of the largest heath areas in Flanders. It takes you over a 300m wooden bicycle bridge, with a beautiful panoramic view over the landscape. This panorama bridge is part of three unique cycle paths in the province of Limburg, all of which you will pass during this trip: Cycling through the Heath, Cycling through the Trees and Cycling through the Water. Continue through the vast pine forests of the Hoge Kempen National Park and through the Ophovenderheide. There is time for coffee in the small towns of Opglabbeek and Meeuwen. Today's destination is Peer, one of the 'Good Towns' of the former Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Here you will find the Pieter Bruegel museum.

Another day full of natural beauty starts with a little bit of history. Soon after the start you will cycle through Hechtel, which was completely destroyed in September 1944 during the Battle of Hechtel. Through the Pijnven (forest) enjoy Cycling through the Trees - a 700m cycle path takes you through a double circle to a height of 10m. You literally cycle in higher atmospheres between the treetops of the Bosland National Park. Via the former sand pits around Mol and the canal from Dessel to Schoten you arrive in Arendonk where you can admire the Toremansmolen (mill). From here it is not far to today's destination, Turnhout. On the way you will first pass the Liereman landscape, one of the oldest nature reserves in Belgium.

Venture out to picturesque Merksplas and pop in at the visitors’ centre to learn about the former prisoners’ colony where farming skills were taught and practised out in the fields. Later you pass Oostmalle and Malle on your way to Westmalle, where you can savour a well-deserved Trappist beer at the café opposite the abbey. Trappist beer is made by or under the supervision of Trappist monks. The “Trappist order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance” originated in a monastery in the French town of La Trappe - hence the name. Trappist monks and nuns follow the Rule of St Benedict. They do not go out into the community to serve the poor and the sick, instead their number one business is continual prayer. But their monasteries must be self-sufficient, and so they perform manual labour while they pray, and live off the fruits of their labour (bread, cheese, beer, soap, candles etc.) which are sold in abbey shops. Continue to the cosmopolitan city of Antwerp.

Leaving Antwerp, the surroundings become progressively quieter and greener. For some military heritage, stop off in Mortsel to visit the brick and sandstone Fort 4, one of the eight original Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) that made up Antwerp's defensive line. From here you will pass the grounds where the annual Rock Werchter festival is celebrated each summer, then some gentle slopes lead you to the friendly and attractive university town of Leuven. Here you can taste the good life alongside the local bon vivants. You can admire the architecture of the Town Hall and library and walk through the quarter known as Groot Begijnhof, a beguinage dating from the 13th to 16th centuries.

This wonderful stage takes you to Diest. In Tielt-Winge you will find 'Vlooybergtoren', a viewpoint with a difference: an iron staircase ending mid-air. A little further on is Haksberg Castle amid 3.6 hectares of vineyards, with wines named after birds that can be found in the local Hageland region. Your next stop is Belgium’s most important pilgrimage site, Scherpenheuvel, which boasts the oldest central-plan domed church in the Low Countries. Crown your day in beautiful Diest, which has historic ties to the Royal House of Orange. Relatively undiscovered, Diest is a welcome surprise. Here you can explore the courtyard beguinage, one of the oldest, most beautiful and best preserved in the Low Countries and amble and relax along the River Demer.

The last stage takes you to several special and unique places. The flat roads won’t leave you breathless, but the landscape surely will. First you cycle to Schulensmeer (lake) which offers an array of water sports and continue to De Weijers, also known as the Land of 1001 Ponds. Wind your way around the man-made fishing ponds with their colourful vegetation, keeping an eye out for special species of amphibians and birds. In Bokrijk, an open-air museum depicts early 20th-century country life and you can try your hand at traditional skills and crafts. Finally, brace yourself for the unusual experience of Cycling through the Water, right through a natural lake, at eye level with the surface of the water and moving in harmony with the ducks.