Tessenderlo, Oostham and Kwaadmechelen

In the Gerheserheide nature reserve, you'll find sandy soils with pine forests crisscrossed by dirt roads. Here, you'll also find the Schans van Gerhees (Gerhees Fortress). This fortress was built by the local population in the 17th century as a kind of earthen fort where they could "hide" from marauding armies and robber bands. After so many centuries, the fortress now looks like an ordinary, wooded inland dune, but if you look closely, you'll discover the remains of the earthen walls and moats. Another nature reserve near Oostham is "De Rammelaars" (The Rammelaars), named after the many hares and rabbits that live there. In the past, small-scale agriculture was widespread, including haymaking, irrigation, peat cutting, iron ore mining, and logging. Now, we enjoy a variety of habitats and vegetation types. The oldest tower in Belgium is part of the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity in Oostham. The lower section dates back to the 10th century. Guided tours are available. From the free parking lot at cafe-brasserie De Bosrand, you can start cycling right away. Upon your return, the sun terrace looks very inviting for a drink and a snack. Cycling route 138559 also starts from this cozy establishment, giving you plenty of options for exploring the area.