The rolling Belgian border area of Riemst

The Flemish town of Riemst is the starting point of your route. It is located at an altitude of approximately 113 meters. You cycle a lap through undulating, open landscape that consists almost entirely of agricultural land. The starting and ending point of your route is the attractive Hotel Malpertuus. It is a great place to start your route with a hot cup of coffee or a fresh drink. After completing the route, you can relax on the garden terrace for lunch or a delicious dinner. Fort Eben-Emael is known as 'the giant among forts'. Spread over an area of 75 hectares (150 football fields) there are 17 bunkers and all kinds of observation posts and trenches. The Belgian army built this colossus in 1932-1935 to strengthen a weak point in the Belgian defense against Germany: the approach roads near Maastricht. It took an explosive, thorough and daring German attack plan to take the fort. The Germans finally succeeded in this on Saturday, May 11, 1940. You will learn all about it in the fort during special guided tours. Between the banks of the Meuse and the Albert Canal lies the Maison de la Montagne Saint-Pierre museum, dedicated to the unique region of the Sint-Pietersberg. Centuries of marl extraction have created an impressive underground tunnel system in this area. Due to the calcareous soil, many rare animal and plant species occur on the Pietersberg, such as wall lizards, orchids and numerous insects. At cycling junction 87 you pass the second highest point in Flanders. The highest is located just west of this route, near Voeren, at 151 meters above sea level.