Halen, Neerlinter and Waanrode

This cycling tour starts in Liebroek, near Diest. This rural route takes you through the wide valley area of the Grote Gete, full of grasslands, lined with hedges and rows of poplars. In Budingen you can see where Kleine and Grote Gete merge into a river. You drive a long way here on the so-called Iron Road, a former railway track that connects three towns in the east of the province of Flemish Brabant: Tienen, Zoutleeuw and Diest. It has been more than a quarter of a century since a train passed by here: passenger traffic on this railway line was stopped in 1957 and in 1966 the last freight train also ran between Halen, Geetbets and Diest. Now that it has been designed as a cycle path, you can cycle here undisturbed for miles, without being bothered by any car traffic. Only at the beautiful village of Neerlinter do you turn off the old track - fortunately, because this way you can immediately take a look around here from your bike. Further on, in Hoeleden you should really get off the bus to view the Jacobinahof. In this beautifully restored 18th-century square farm, hostess Jacobina has exhibited her Madonnas in a museum, where three centuries of Flemish lace can also be seen. In the Renaissance room you can marvel at 17th-century furniture, carpets and Delft pottery. In the herb house, lessons are given in the use of herbs from the herb garden, where vegetables, herbs and flowers grow lush. The rose garden gives a colorful tint to the whole. Got hungry? In the guest room you can enjoy Hageland delicacies and house specialties. With good courage you continue towards Waanrode, the flower village of the Hageland. The village has already won national and European prizes - so it is worth taking a look around before returning to the starting point.