Finding places in Belgium within the forest

Most people know Hasselt as a city of shopping, parties, students, tourism … But few people know its part more linked to the nature and its amazing bicycle routes.

I arrived here four weeks ago and I thought to know this city very well. ButI I was wrong, the Cycling Junction Network of Limburg has shown me the opposite side of Hasselt, far away of the bustle in the city center.
Thanks to this route, I have discovered the great canal, large green areas, wild animals and a amazing environment.

The Cycling Junction Network

This route was started by engineer Hugo Bollen in 1995 in Eastern side of the Province. Cycling Junction Network is composed of 2000 Km cycling routes, all of them are indicated by blue road sings. Furthermore, it is visited by 2 mio bikers per year.

After this brief introduction, let me tell you the experience from my own. From my point of view, the views of landscapes were from less to more.

My trip started at the PXL College University in the center of Hasselt (junction 97). At first, you can enjoy a small road surrounded by large trees and small houses. After a few minutes cycling, you arrive to the first stop: the Albert Canal.

The Albert Canal, which was named after King Albert I of Belgium, is the most important economic waterway, 40 tons of cargo transport per year. It was dug from 1930 to 1939 and its length is 129,5 km. For more information, it connects Antwerp with Liège, and also the Meuse River with the Scheldt River.

The views here are amazing and you will be impressed by the magnitude of the channel. Take your time and take pictures. This is a good break, right?

To get to the next stop, you have to cycle along the road but do not worry, the traffic is very low and slow. You will find some residential areas with houses that seem from a fairy tale. After that, you pass by a children’s farm in Kiewit.

It is a perfect place for children’s playground and seeing some animals. Also, the entrance is free.

Personally, in my opinion the best part of this trip starts now.

Cycling through the water

The road heads literally through the woods. Everything around you is green, different types of trees and plants, earth and birds. This part of the route is totally away from the noise of the city and you can feel the peace and quite of nature. It is difficult to think that Hasselt is only a few kilometers away.

For those who love photography this is a perfect place where you could take originals.

When you think you have seen everything along this route, we arrive to the strongest point.

Imagine a road that splits water into two and you can go across it with your bike. That is posible here! If you stop in the middle of the way, you can feel how small you seem around so much water.

In addition, if you are lucky, you could see swans next to the borders of the walls. Even in the best zoos you can’t see them closer.

To sum up, it was an amazing experience for me. Maybe because I did not expect so much about it or maybe because I am not used to these kind of landscapes in the south of Spain.

Finally, let me give you some advice to enjoy this experience as much as possible: try not to choose a too cold or rainy day, wear comfortable clothes, do not forget your cam, take some drinks and snacks, make sure your bike is ready and do not forget to rest the day before, you will need energy!

This will be a special day so you should try to take the most of the trip and enjoy the nature and connect with it, leave the smartphone in your bag and and forget any problems that you have. This is a good opportunity to put aside the stress of everyday life and the hectic lifestyle of our days and remember what it is like to be close to the wild life. Let the beauty around you take you to a magic world away from trouble, feel free to follow your inner insticts and explore the paradise around you.