First, head into St. Peter’s Church to see Dieric Bouts’ *The Last Supper*. Only then should you hop on your bike and head to Park Abbey, where the artist had his studio. Scan the QR code there and discover the connection between the abbey and Bouts. Stop at Hof Ten Dormaal for a Bouts beer. Be sure to scan the QR codes here, along the Vaart, and at UCLL so you can learn everything there is to know about this Leuven-based city painter. On the last kilometer, let yourself be surprised by the impressive mural on the avenue named after him.
Before you set out:
This route is presented by Museum M, Visit Leuven, Park Abbey, and Tourism Flemish Brabant.
Features
In the "Arts and Heritage" category (more info)
Location and accessibility
3000 Leuven
View the cycle route on the map
When is the best time to visit it?
Directions
Walking and cycling
See and do
Food and drink
Practical
The university city of Leuven buzzes with science, art, and beer. Flemish Master Dieric Bouts and the iconic Stella Artois are two gems in the same crown. This 46-kilometer bike tour takes you past art and heritage, among abbeys, castles, and refreshing pints.
The imposing building with its moat and towers is now a campus of KU Leuven.
- Address
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Kardinaal Mercierlaan 94
3001 Leuven - Website
- Visit the website
You can cycle along a peaceful bike path to Park Abbey. Nearly nine centuries old, it’s the best-preserved abbey site in Belgium. At the PARCUM museum, art, religion, and culture intersect. And yes, you’ll find a nod to Bouts here, too. Scan the QR code you’ll find at the Neerhof
No abbey without beer, right? The Braxatorium Parcensis Brewery brews right here on the historic site, just as the Norbertines themselves did centuries ago. You can sample the beer at Brasserie De Abdijmolen, with a view of the ponds.
- Address
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Abdij van Park 7
3001 Leuven - Website
- More info
From refined brushstrokes to fine foam: the story of Stella Artois began in 1926 at what was then the inn-brewery De Hoorn on the Vaartkom. The brewery’s roots date back to the 14th century. The Stella Artois Brewery is just a stone’s throw away. Every weekend, it opens its doors for interactive tours and a fresh, draft lager or a non-alcoholic beer.
Plan your visit >
- Address
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Aarschotsesteenweg 20
3012 Leuven - Website
- More info
It’s wonderful to cycle along the new bike path that winds through the recreational area. At junction 5, you can leave the area and, 800 m further on, pay a visit to the De Coureur Brewery.
- Address
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Beemdenstraat
3010 Leuven - Website
- More info
Follow the Lijnloperspad, which meanders along with the Dijle River to Wijgmaal.
A beautiful bike path takes you right through the Wijgmaalbroek nature reserve.
At junction 30, you’ll find the Rotselaar watermill. The watermill is once again generating green energy, allowing grain to be milled once more.
Cycle over authentic cobblestones through the picturesque village of Wakkerzeel.
At junction 26, take route 99 until the right turn toward Kraneveldhoeve. Scan the QR code to learn all about this brewery. Time for a break with a Bouts beer, brewed at Hof ten Dormaal. Then return to junction 26.
You’ll pass a bunker and, a little further on, the original Hof ten Dormaal, the farm where it all began. Here, they brew traditionally using hops and grain grown on the farm. Their Bouts wheat beer is based on recipes from the 15th century—a tribute to the master himself.
- Address
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Caubergstraat 2
3150 Haacht - Website
- More info
LEUVEN–DIJLE CANAL
You’ll pass a bunker and, a little further on, the original Hof ten Dormaal, the farm where it all began. Here, they brew craft beer using hops and grain grown on the farm. Their wheat beer, Bouts, is based on recipes from the 15th century—a tribute to the master himself.
Just past junction 38, you’ll pass the church of Winksele, which untilthe 19th century was a place of pilgrimage for those suffering from mental illness. If you turn right past the church, you’ll find De Smederij, home to the Adept brewery, 200 m further on. Time for a well-deserved second break.
Now the flat stretch is over, and you’ll climb the steep slope. Once at the top, it’s a delightful ride through the fields to the Gasthuisberg site. From the bridge, you’ll have a view of Bisser’s monumental mural on the UCLL campus, a modern interpretation of the Gothic town hall. Scan the QR code and discover the connection to Bouts.
- Address
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Warotstraat 4
3020 Herent - Website
- More info
GASTHUISBERG
You’ll cycle past the Gasthuisberg campus, Belgium’s largest and most prestigious university hospital. You’ll descend and head back into the center of Leuven.
DIRK BOUTSLAAN
Back in the city center, you’ll see the monumental mural on Dirk Boutslaan, which references the modern spelling of his name.
