The pleasant life in Belgian Limburg

This route takes you through the green area of Bocholt, a town in Belgian Limburg, lined with streams. You cycle through rolling fields, through dense forests and through the Dommel Valley, a picturesque landscape consisting of fields with hedgerows, alder forests and poplar plantations. You will pass through several charming Flemish villages and hamlets, there is always a terrace where a delicious fresh Limburg pie is served. For example, via the course of the Zuid-Willemsvaart and the historic town of Bree, which is called the Pearl of the Kempen, you drive to Wijshagen, a village located at an altitude of 70 meters on the northern edge of the Kempen Plateau. The road leads you through a quiet landscape that mainly consists of fields and meadows. A wonderful route to clear your head. North of the old village of Wijchmaal you enter the Dommelvallei, a protected landscape. The Wedelse Molen watermill is located on the river. According to some sources, the mill already existed in the 8th century, which would mean that it is the oldest water mill in the Benelux. The mill was in operation as a flour mill until 1957. Electricity has been generated using hydropower since 1980. In 1995, the mill, the locks and the bank reinforcement were given the status of a protected monument. Towards the end of your route you drive through the Kolisbos. Originally this was a heathland area mainly planted with Scots pines. Nowadays people are trying to give the forest, which still contains some remnants of heather, a more natural character. The forest is intersected by the Kolisloop, where mainly birches and oaks grow near this stream. You drive back to Bocholt via the woods of Aan de Grote Fabriek, named after the gunpowder factory that once stood here at a safe distance from the built-up area.