8-day Belgium Beer Route Cycling Holiday

Organize your own trip to Genk, where you will receive a friendly welcome at your hotel, situated in delightful Molenvijver Park.

The first day of this cycling holiday takes you across the Kempen Plateau. The trip immediately starts with a highlight: 
you cycle along a cycle path right through the Mechelse Heide, one of the largest heathland areas in Flanders. The highlight of this cycle path is the almost 300-metre long 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 cycling through the vast pine forests and endless heathlands of the Hoge Kempen National Park and across the Ophovenderheide. 
Today's final destination is Peer, one of the 'Goede Steeden' of the former principality of Liège. 
Here you will find the Pieter Bruegel Museum.

Challenge: 66 km / 41 mi

Another day full of natural beauty starts with a little bit of history. Soon after the start you will cycle through Hechtel. This village was completely destroyed in September 1944 during the Battle of Hechtel. Through the Pijnven you cycle through a new unique cycling experience in Limburg: Cycling through the Trees. A 700 meter long cycle path takes you through a double circle at a height of 10 meters. You literally cycle in higher atmospheres between the treetops of the Bosland van de Kempen. Via the former sand pits around Mol and the canal from Dessel to Schoten you arrive in Arendonk where you can admire the Toremansmolen. From here it is not far to Turnhout. On the way through you will first pass the Liereman landscape, one of the oldest nature reserves in Belgium

Challenge: 75km / 46.6 mi

Your first stop is picturesque Merksplas where you can pop in at the visitors’ centre to find out all about former Merksplas-Kolonie, a corrective institution where able-bodied vagrants and beggars were taught farming skills and made to work the fields. Later on, pass Oostmalle and Malle on the way to Westmalle where you will in a well-deserved Trappist beer at the café across the road from the abbey, before continuing on your way to the cosmopolitan city of Antwerp. 

Challenge: 69km / 43mi, 365m ascent, 371m descent

As you leave Antwerp behind, your surroundings will become progressively quieter and greener. If you are into military heritage, stop off in Mortsel to visit Fort no. 4 of the originally eight Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) that made up the defensive line of Antwerp. It is built in brick with sandstone decorations and stands on an island surrounded by a ditch and glacis. Cycling towards Leuven you will pass the festival grounds of Rock Werchter, an annual four-day festival held at the end of June / beginning of July. The Rock Werchter Experience Centre can be found in the village of Rotselaar. As you approach Leuven on your bicycle, you will encounter some gentle slopes. Leuven is a friendly and attractive university town. In the evening, have your taste of the good life alongside of the local bon-vivants. Admire the lovely architecture of the Town Hall and library. Go for a walk through the quarter known as Groot Begijnhof, a beguinage.

Challenge: 63 km / 42.2 mi

This wonderful leg of the tour takes you to Diest. In Tielt-Winge you will find Vlooybergtoren, a viewpoint with a difference: a rusty flight of stairs that ends in mid-air and looks like it will topple over at any minute. A little farther on, you will find Haksberg Castle amid 3.6 hectares of vineyards. Their wines are 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, a town that has ties to the Royal House of Orange. As yet undiscovered by mass tourism, it will probably be your biggest surprise on this holiday. Have a look around the courtyard beguinage, one of the oldest, most beautiful and best preserved in the Low Countries. Amble along the River Demer which flows through town once again, after having been covered up since the 1960s. A boardwalk, a cycling path, steps and seating invite the townspeople to spend time by the water.

Challenge: 44km / 27,5mi

The last leg of this tour takes you to several special and unique places. Cycling on today’s flat roads won’t leave you breathless, but the landscape surely will. Firstly, you will cycle to Schulermeer lake, that offers an array of water sports. Next, you will cycle to De Weijers, also known as Land of 1001 Ponds. Slalom your way around the manmade fishing ponds, marvelling at the colourful vegetation and keeping an eye out for special species of amphibians and birds. Your next stop is in Bokrijk, an open-air museum which covers country life from 1910 to the 1960s, offering workshops in all kinds of historical skills and crafts. Towards the end of the day, get ready for the most bizarre experience of this holiday: Cycle on path a that runs for 200 meters right through a natural lake. You will be at eyelevel with the surface of the water, moving in total harmony with the ducks.

Challenge: 58 km / 36 mi

After one last hotel buffet breakfast, your bicycle holiday will come to an end. It is time to make your own way home.