The many faces of Belgian Limburg
Maaseik, Flanders, Belgium
Cycling route: 143673
Provided by: route.nl
56.3 km
03:18 h
992 kcal
88 m
Description
On this tour you will explore the Kempisch Plateau, a higher area in Belgian Limburg. In nature reserves such as the Dorperheide and the Ophovenderheide you experience the diversity that makes the Kempen Plateau so special: pine forests, inland dunes, fens, dry and wet heathland and barren grasslands. You start the route in the lower Maas valley. You cycle a bit on the towpath along the Zuid-Willemsvaart, the almost 123 kilometer long canal that connects Maastricht with 's-Hertogenbosch.
Once the muscles have been properly loosened and warmed up, you make a small climb from Opitter to the Kempen Plateau. You drive for miles through the beautiful nature of the Ophovenderheide. In addition to common heather and common heath, you will also find the rare red heather here. With a bit of luck you will see a honey buzzard or black woodpecker passing by. At dusk a deer or fox can suddenly appear. Anyone who stops at one of the fens can enjoy the many species of dragonflies and damselflies.
After the Ophovenderheid you drive through Opglabeek, a village that revived in the first half of the twentieth century due to mining. That history can still be seen in the landscape around Opglabeek. If you look closely you will see two peaks, one of which is 165 meters high. These are not hills, but mining slag heaps, the Flemish name for a spoil heap. These accumulations consist of the stones removed from the mine during the extraction of coal.
After your cycling tour you can visit Maaseik. In the cozy center of this beautiful old town you can end your day in style on one of the many terraces. Also cycle the 2nd beautiful route in Belgium; 147946
Height Profile
Directions
| # | Description | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
27 | 27 (3680, Maaseik, Flanders, Belgium) | 0.00 km | |
28 | 28 (3640, Maaseik, Flanders, Belgium) | 1.77 km | |
13 | 13 (Solterweg, 3960, Bree, Flanders, Belgium) | 10.65 km | |
12 | 12 (Keyartstraat, 3960, Bree, Flanders, Belgium) | 11.94 km | |
11 | 11 (3960, Bree, Flanders, Belgium) | 12.49 km | |
36 | 36 (Opstraat, 3960, Bree, Flanders, Belgium) | 13.42 km |
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