The Dommel Valley in Belgian Limburg

Explore the Lage Kempen, through which the Warmbeek and Dommel flow. Meadows and swamps form large areas of contiguous nature, but trees also grow tall on dry sandy soils. The Kolisbos south of Sint-Huibrechts-Lille is one of the most important of these. Beautiful country houses and luxurious villas adorn the area and always elicit cries of admiration due to their beautiful location in nature. Coniferous and deciduous forests dominate the east of Neerglabbeek. Hair lichens, grasses and heather shrubs grow on the sandy, partly moist surfaces. Because sand extraction took place here on a large scale, the Dorperheide lakes are wedged between high dunes covered with trees. On its banks you can see pitrus and willows sprouting and reed strips with cattails. Torch and St. John's wort also bloom there. The variety on the Dorperheide is therefore great and the animal world also benefits from this. The sand martin is a frequent guest, the observant cyclist will be able to see its self-dug holes, where it breeds in colonies. The reed bunting hides among the reeds and willow thickets and teals breed on the islands in the lakes. The surrounding woodlands consist mainly of Scots and Corsican pine and Douglas fir, with sinuous sage, tendrils and broad spiny fern at their feet. In addition to beautiful nature, you will also come across a beautiful water mill along the way. According to some sources, there was already a mill on this site in the eighth century. If they are right, De Wedelse Molen in Overpelt is the oldest water mill that grinds on the Dommel, and probably even the oldest water mill in the Benelux, although this has never been supported by archaeological evidence. The Wedelse Mill was rebuilt in 1765, where the current building was installed. The locks, the bank reinforcement and the mill are a protected monument and the surrounding area is a protected villagescape. This way the authenticity of the mill is preserved. The route starts and ends at Cafe De Bazaar. This trendy cafe is a cozy place for young and old. During the weekend, the in-house photographer takes nice photos of people who go to a cafe, as the Belgians say. You can check the final details of your route before departure, because there is free WiFi. And of course you can have a nice drink at Den Bazaar when you return from your bike ride!