A cycle tour through Limburg’s land of forests and water
“Limburg, Belgium’s cycling haven, presents over 2,000 kilometers of neatly crafted bike routes. From the tranquil Japanese Garden to the Bokrijk Open Air Museum, each pedal reveals a tapestry of history and natural splendor.”
Cloudy and cold mornings greet Limburg’s cyclists, equipped with helmets, gloves, water bottles, and sunglasses. Among the more than 2 million bike tourists, some of them take the Limburg Cycle Route Network to explore their physical limits, while others opt for a leisurely morning ride. However, they all agree on one thing: Limburg, with its 2,000 km of bike routes and lanes, is renowned as a cyclist’s paradise. Join us on our trip to discover why?
The starting point is the city of Hasselt, the capital of Limburg province. Hasselt is situated between the Kempen region to the north and the Haspengouw region to the south. That’s why the landscape in this part of the route is flat, wooded and lush with vegetation. It must be remembered that Limburg has 4 geographic and tourist regions: Kempen, the wooded one; Haspengouw, the fertile fruit region; Maasland, which separates the Belgian and the Dutch province of Limburg; and last but not least, Voerstreek, the hilly region.
Departing from Hasselt city centre, the first stop was the Japanese Garden, the largest authentic Japanese garden in Europe. If you are wondering why there is a Japanese garden in this Belgian city it’s because of Hasselt’s twinning with the Japanese city of Itami. Since you only need to follow the numbered nodes, it’s easy to reach. The Limburg Cycle Route Network works by connecting one node to another and the first one on our trip was number 97. Autumn announces its arrival in the Japanese Garden and your eyes turn away from the road to gaze up at the sky. The fire-coloured and honey-coloured leaves draw your attention to the expansive garden, which in spring is the envy of the forest with its cherry blossoms.
Continuing with the Cycle Route towards number 98, you will be able to cross the Albertkanaal, named in honor of King Albert I. Since it was dug by hand in 1930 and completed nine years later, it’s as if you could still hear spades striking the dry land. Besides, during World War II in 1940, there was a defense line along the Albert Canal. Therefore, in this stretch, the weight of history will propel cyclists forward with more determination.
This canal connects the river Meuse, which originates in France and goes through Liège and Rotterdam, with the river Scheldt, which crosses France, reaches Antwerp and finally flows into the North Sea. It facilitates the transportation of goods by ship between two parts of the country: Liège and Antwerp. However, the strengthening of the economy isn’t the only use of the Albert Canal. It is also utilized for renewable energy through the power generated by the water flowing through its locks. Not to mention the multitude of recreational activities that can be enjoyed on the canal and in its surroundings. Let’s continue cycling.
Birch trees and heather introduce visitors to the heart of Limburg’s nature as we approach Bokrijk. The next leg of the route follows nodes 243 and 91. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the trip. The vast Bokrijk park separates Hasselt from Genk. Here you can find the largest Open Air Museum, with buildings that show the way of living from a century ago; De Wijers region, comprising 700 hectares of water formed by more than 1,000 ponds in the area; and the “Cycling Through Water” passage, which crosses one of the ponds, creating the illusion of parting the waters as you make your way across. Submerged, it allows cyclists and hikers to view the pond at their eye level. It seems that even swans are greeting you!
Today, De Wijers ponds are a natural reserve of flora and fauna that are difficult to find in other habitats. They receive additional protection from the European Union, as the aquatic landscape is home to many endangered rare plant and animal species. Its use has evolved over the years. The first ponds created in Diepenbeek were used for iron ore extraction, which is found in the basement of the pond. Other ponds were used for peat extraction and carp breeding.
But let’s move away from the water. Surrounded by the forest, the tree trunks recreate wooden sculptures, as if you were in a museum. Cycling in Bokrijk allows riders to fill their lungs with pure air and find inner peace. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to meet galloway cattles, sheeps, horses, goats, donkeys and other animals at the petting farm. And if you are lucky, on the way back to Hasselt via nodes 91 to 95 towards Kiewit, you may spot bitterns and cormorants searching for food. Or perhaps they are preparing themselves for the Pukkelpop Festival? You pass through the venue where this congregation of artists is held at the end of August.
After four hours of cycling and covering 25 km approximately, the cyclists reach the finish line. They exchange smiles because they have enjoyed a unique landscape of nature and water. Moreover, they have learned that it’s always prudent to be prepared for unforeseen events such as a flat tire.
