Bilzen, Mem bridges and Hoeselt

Have we ended up in the Bordeaux region? You would think so! The Genoelselderen Wine Castle not only has the appearance of a French castle, it also produces wine that easily competes with the top French wines. This is due to the soil: the marl subsoil in Riemst is comparable to that of the classic French wine regions. Moreover, the local climate corresponds to the climate in the Burgundy region of about 100 years ago. Combine this with vines of the highest quality and you get top wines that are on the menu in the best Belgian restaurants. And this is not the only castle you will cycle past on this route. The Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, which you will encounter in Bilzen, was built by the German Order of Knights. Now the impressive castle complex has been beautifully restored and transformed into a cultural centre of the Flemish Government. A visit to the castle takes you way back in time. Almost the entire domain outside, including the church and the English park, is free to visit. The French garden can be visited for a fee. If you have the time, take a guided tour - also a nice idea for day two, if you are staying overnight nearby. The most beautiful part of the moated castle is namely the authentically restored apartment of the land commander and the blue salon. These rooms can only be visited with a guide. Slippers to put over your shoes are ready - all to protect the expensive parquet! The reception centre in Alden Biesen-Bilzen has the pleasant task of promoting the beautiful Haspengouw castle landscape of Alden Biesen. Castles, religious monuments, marl caves: Haspengouw breathes history. Here lies Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. But also the count's town of Borgloon and Sint-Truiden, the sixth monument city of Flanders. More than 100 castles spice up the landscape, including the Alden Biesen land commandery, one of the largest castle domains in the Euregio. In addition to being a real castle region, Haspengouw is also the largest orchard in Western Europe. In April, the landscape changes into a colourful sea of blossoms, in the autumn millions of ripe apples, pears, strawberries, cherries, blackberries and currants stimulate your senses. During the blossom and harvest festivals, auctions and fruit companies open their doors wide; fruity activities take place everywhere. During this route you will also come across a beautiful nature reserve: the protected landscape Groenendaal-Zangerhei and the Bonijterbos, which are part of the Munster Valley. The Munster Valley is located exactly on the transition between the sandy soils of the Kempen and the loamy soils of Haspengouw. This ensures that the region is home to typical species of both the Kempen and Haspengouw. The Munster Valley is an important area, especially for forest and prey birds. The cultural treasures here are clearly matched by the natural wealth!