The distance of 250 km is fixed, but you decide whether you want to complete it in 1, 2 or 3 day stages. As an ultragravel or multi-day gravel trip with great accommodations along the way.
Choose the formula that suits you best and along the way enjoy unique places and enchanting views, heartwarming stops where you can regain your strength and accommodation where your steed is also welcome.
The route was carefully designed by Golazo - Bolero Gravel Series.
BEST OF GRAVEL in 1 DAY - for gravel beasts
▶ B EST OF GRAVEL in 2 DAYS - for TEMPO RIDERS
▶ B EST OF GRAVEL in 3 DAYS - for ENJOYERS
BEST OF GRAVEL in 1 DAY
for gravel BEASTEN
An ultra gravel ride of 250km in one day. Grease the legs. This ultra ride is not for sissies.
From Averbode you ride along the same gravel roads as the cycling race Dwars door het Hageland towards Diest. A quick sugar in Biscuiterie Stuckens is welcome before you start the ascent of the citadel. Then dive into the Hageland fruit region.
On the way, wave to the greatest rider of all time. The giant portrait of Eddy Merckx in his native village of Meensel-Kiezegem is impossible to miss. Via the loamy plateaus of Brabant it goes to the Brabantse Wouden. With successively the Meerdaal forest, Zoniën forest and Hallerbos you cross the 'big three' of Brabant's forests.
Time for a shot of caffeine and homemade cake at Falco Fietsbar, located in the shadow of Halle Cathedral. You pass the majestic castles of Gaasbeek and Groenendaal. Fans of gueuze and lambic can make a stop at Lindemans Brewery.
Marvel at Remco Evenepoels' palmares in his supporter's pub In de Rustberg in Schepdaal. With a view of the Brussels skyline, you cycle back east through the Brabant Kouters. You meander along the winding Zenne and Dijle towards the Rock Werchter festival park and the Sven Nys Cycling Center on the famous Balenberg. Via the lovely Demerbroeken you arrive back in Averbode.
Start & Finish
Parking Domein de Merode, Judocus Pauwelslaan, 3271 Averbode. (Price: 5 euro per day)
Station Zichem, Ernest Claesstraat z/n, 3271 Zichem
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BEST OF GRAVEL in 2 DAYS
for TEMPO RIDERS
The best of Flemish Brabant in 2 beautiful day stages of +/- 125km, for the experienced gravel rider.
Day 1: Averbode - Halle (127km)
From Averbode you ride along the same gravel roads as the Dwars door het Hageland cycling race towards Diest. A quick sugar in Biscuiterie Stuckens is welcome before you start climbing the citadel of Diest. Then dive into the Hageland fruit region.
On the way, wave to the greatest rider of all time. The giant portrait of Eddy Merckx in his native village of Meensel-Kiezegem is impossible to miss.
Via the loamy plateaus of Brabant it goes to the Brabantse Wouden. With successively the Meerdaal forest, Zoniën forest and Hallerbos you cross the 'big three' of Brabant's forests.
The finish for today is in Halle, which will host the gravel World Cup in 2024. Burgundians can enjoy a delicious Lambic or Geuze in Halle.
Day 2: Halle - Averbode (123km)
Start the day with a shot of caffeine and homemade pastries at Falco Fietsbar, located in the shadow of Halle's cathedral.
In the morning you cross the Pajottenland, known for Geuze, Breughel and Remco Evenepoel. You will pass the majestic castles of Gaasbeek and Groenendaal. Fans of gueuze and lambic can stop by Lindemans Brewery.
Marvel at Remco's palmares at his supporter's pub In de Rustberg in Schepdaal.
With a view of the Brussels skyline, you cycle back east through the Brabant Kouters. You meander over crisp gravel roads along the winding Zenne and Dijle towards Rock Werchter festival park and the Sven Nys Cycling Center on the famous Balenberg.
Via the wonderfully beautiful Demerbroeken you arrive back in Averbode.
Start & Finish
Parking Domein de Merode, Judocus Pauwelslaan, 3271 Averbode. (Price: 5 euro per day)
Station Zichem, Ernest Claesstraat z/n, 3271 Zichem
DOWNLOAD THE GPX
Lodging tips in Halle
BEST OF GRAVEL in 3 DAYS
FOR ENJOYERS
For whom enjoyment is more important than the strava statistics. The best of Flemish Brabant in 3 beautiful day stages of +/- 85km.
Day 1: Averbode - Huldenberg / Tervuren (75 to 85km)
From Averbode you ride along the same gravel roads as the Dwars door het Hageland cycling race towards Diest. A quick sugar in Biscuiterie Stuckens is welcome before you start climbing the citadel of Diest. Then dive into the Hageland fruit region.
On the way, wave to the greatest rider of all time. The giant portrait of Eddy Merckx in his native village of Meensel-Kiezegem is impossible to miss.
Via the Brabant loam plateaus you dive into the shady lanes of the majestic Meerdaal forest and reach the region of Huldenberg and Tervuren, in the heart of the Brabantse Wouden National Park.
Day 2: Huldenberg / Tervuren - Meise / Grimbergen (90 to 100km)
Start the day with a beautiful ride through the Park of Tervuren. Via endless shady avenues you cross the green lung of Brussels, the Sonian Forest. Stop at the Arboretum and the Royal Lodge.
Via the Hallerbos, known for its bouquet of hyacinths, you reach Halle. Time for a shot of caffeine and homemade pastries at Falco Fietsbar, located in the shadow of Halle's cathedral.
In the afternoon you cross the Pajottenland, known for geuze, Breughel and Remco Evenepoel. You pass the majestic castles of Gaasbeek and Groenendaal. Fans of gueuze and lambic can stop by Lindemans Brewery.
Marvel at Remco's palmares in his supporter's pub In de Rustberg in Schepdaal.
Day 3: Meise / Grimbergen - Averbode (75 km)
Overlooking the skyline of Brussels, you cycle back east through the Brabant Kouters. You meander along crisp gravel roads along the winding Zenne and Dijle towards the Rock Werchter festival park.
Insert a stop on the sunny terrace of the Sven Nys Cycling Center on top of the famous Balenberg.
Via the lovely Demerbroeken in Langdorp you arrive back in Averbode.
Start & Finish
Parking Domein de Merode, Judocus Pauwelslaan, 3271 Averbode. (Price: 5 euro per day)
Station Zichem, Ernest Claesstraat z/n, 3271 Zichem
DOWNLOAD THE GPX
