Mechelen, Rumst and Boom

Get to know Mechelen and the surrounding area in a different way. This cycle route reveals all kinds of attractive spots along the Dijle river. Close to the starting point of the route you can take a look at the Natuurpunt Visitor Center Mechels Rivierengebied in case you want extensive information about the area before you leave. The route starts at junction 62 at the bridge over the Dijle. You follow the river, which lies like a green ribbon in the landscape, to the Rupel region with the towns of Boom and Rumst. Brick production once flourished in the Rupel region. Only 3 of the 153 factories are now left. You pass beautiful nature reserves such as the Mechels Broek and the Zennegat where the rivers Dijle and Zenne and the Canal Leuven-Dijle meet. The Mechels Broek is a wet and open swamp as the name"broek\\\" suggests. Many waterfowl regard this large sand extraction pit as an important restaurant, so the area is ideal for the bird watcher to take a look. There are always winged friends to be found all year round. In the spring bluethroats, reed warblers, water rails, summer teals come to build a nest. In the autumn, ospreys and harriers prepare here for the great migration they will undertake. In winter, large flocks of ducks feel right at home. And sometimes whole groups of storks who prefer to avoid the stork project in the nearby Planckendael animal park. When you leave Mechels Broek behind, you pass the Nekker, a large sports and recreation park. Before you cycle into the beautiful historic center of Mechelen, the route takes you past De Kruidtuin, which has a rich cultural history. This green oasis on the outskirts of the city was created in the Middle Ages as a garden for the commandery of Pitzemburg. After the knighthood was abolished, the garden was transformed into a formal French garden, and finally into the current English-style park. Visit the statue of Rembert Dodoens who wrote the Cruyden book in the sixteenth century. This is the very first work on medicinal plants and herbs.