Diest, Beringen and Tessenderlo

This route starts at Cafe-Brasserie De Bosrand, the ideal place to enjoy a drink, snack or ice cream on the beautiful sun terrace - or inside the cozy interior. For those who want a little more, there is our very extensive menu with seasonal dishes, but you also have special suggestions of the month and an impressive wine list. But you are also more than welcome for breakfast: here you can enjoy a tasty, healthy breakfast every day, but make sure you make a reservation! Your starting point is in the middle of the woods. Averbode forest & heath is located around the three-province point of Limburg, Antwerp and Flemish Brabant and consists of 593 hectares of nature reserve. Tessenderlo has even more important nature reserves, such as the Schoterheide, Schoterse woods and Houterenberg. The total contiguous area of nature is much larger, which is why Averbode Bos & Heide is located in the core of a nature complex of more than 1000 hectares, with a number of foothills that reach the Demerbroeken and the valley of the three streams. The 945 hectare Gerhagen nature reserve extends between Engsbergen and Schoot with pine forests, heath, fens and meadows. Today you cycle a beautiful rural route along Diest, Beringen and Tessenderlo. The canal at Beringen is part of the Scheldt-Meuse-Rhine connection that Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to achieve with his Grand Canal du Nord, which also includes the Venlo-Neuss section with the Lanaken-Lozen feeder canal (the current Zuid-Willemsvaart). Through the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Lommel was exchanged for Luyksgestel, making the construction of the canal possible in 1843. The canal connected to the Zuid-Willemsvaart near Bocholt and to the canalised Nete near Herentals. The Maas water from the canal could immediately be used to irrigate the dry Kempen. But before you reach the canal you will pass the Paalse Plas, where you can relax in an oasis of greenery and water. On the banks you will find the bicycle café with bicycle kiosk and bicycle rental, sunbathing and playing field, benches, a beach and swimming area. The cycle path around the lake is part of the cycle route network and is ideal for a relaxing trip. You can also sit on the beach or take a dip. Before you go home, take a look at the Forest Museum Gerhagen, near the lookout tower in Gerhagen, with a collection of stuffed birds, mammals, butterflies, fossils and shells. In the Forest Museum you will become acquainted with the bird world in all its facets. The life of an individual bird is highlighted: it is born, survives many threats and reproduces. Concrete examples make it clear, for example, how the structure of a bird's body is adapted to the environment and the way of life of the species. And of course you also see which birds occur where in the Gerhagen region.