Get on your bike and taste the region
Whether you choose the vast fields around Tienen, the hills and heritage sites of the Hageland or the tasty traditions of North Dijleland: each Happen en Trappen route lets you experience the landscape in a unique way.
You start the day with coffee and cake, then cycle to the appetizer, enjoy a soup along the way, slide in for the appetizer and finish with a delicious dessert. This route costs 47.95 euros per person.
Get on your bike, be surprised and taste along the way what makes Flemish Brabant so special.
1. Beets & Genietenroute - 57 km
Cycle from the sugar town of Tienen to the beer village of Hoegaarden via Linter and Landen along a surprisingly beautiful part of the Hageland. In spring, fruit orchards color the landscape with white and pink blossoms. The route winds through open fields, hollow roads and quiet villages full of history. Take your time, because this tour is not only about cycling, but also about enjoyment.
You start in Tienen, where church towers and historic buildings define the townscape. Soon you leave the city behind you and cycle towards Hakendover, a village known for its centuries-old horse procession. Further on, the landscape unfolds in peace, with vast vistas around Landen and charming spots like Rumsdorp.
One of the highlights of the route is Hoegaarden, where heritage and beer culture come together. The impressive St. Gorgonius Church and the rich brewing history give the village a unique character. On the way back you cycle past green valleys, historic farms and quiet places that invite you to stop for a moment.
In spring, blossoms provide an extra atmospheric backdrop, but this route remains a must throughout the year for those who love peace, space and enjoyment along the way.
2. The Reynvaertroute - Hageland - approx. 50 km
The Reynvaertroute takes you on a varied tour along some of the most beautiful places in Hageland. You start in historic Diest and cycle through a slightly hilly landscape full of nature and heritage.
Soon the dome of the Basilica of Our Lady appears on the horizon. This well-known place of pilgrimage has been a landmark in the region for generations. After the climb, enjoy the panoramic view before continuing on towards Zichem.
In Zichem the Maagdentoren towers above the Demer valley and you can taste the atmosphere of the Flemish countryside that also inspired writer Ernest Claes. Via Langdorp you follow the winding Demer, where water and nature provide a relaxed rhythm.
The landscape changes as you approach Averbode. Forests and heaths alternate and form the backdrop around the imposing Averbode Abbey, a place with a rich history that is still bustling with life today.
Via the Demerbroeken you return to Diest, where the beguinage (recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the historic city center provide an atmospheric conclusion to this multifaceted tour.
3. The White Gold Route along chicory & asparagus - 43 km
During this tasty bike route you will discover all about two regional products that are rightly called "white gold" here: chicory and asparagus. In the landscape of North Dijleland, with places like Kortenberg, Haacht, Boortmeerbeek, Kampenhout and Steenokkerzeel, they have been an important part of the local cuisine for generations.
Along the way, you will discover not only how these vegetables are grown, but also how much patience and craftsmanship is involved. Asparagus takes years to grow and is harvested at the perfect moment, while chicory only emerges after the roots are raised in special conditions. A special piece of agricultural history that originated in a Brussels cellar in the 19th century.
The route takes you along quiet towpaths of the Leuven-Dijle canal and historical sites such as the Boortmeerbeek lock. Along the way, you also pass local initiatives that bring the region to life, such as a Van Campenhout brewery where regional beers are brewed with passion.
Those who want to discover even more about the story behind chicory can visit De Krop, the chicory museum where tradition and craftsmanship take center stage.
