The Bosland near Overpelt

This route takes you on a circuit through the Lage Kempen region in the northern part of Belgian Limburg. The Kempen region is characterized by sandy soil. Until the mid-nineteenth century, this soil was primarily covered with heathland, oaks, fens, and peat bogs. This diverse landscape can still be found today, albeit on a smaller scale. You'll soon cycle through Pijnven, a former heathland and drifting sand area that was planted with conifers from 1904 onwards for the production of mining timber. In many places, you can smell the cleansing scent of pine. In recent years, deciduous trees have also been planted in parts of the forest. Birds such as the long-eared owl and the nightjar live in the forest. Some parts of the forest are inaccessible because they have been designated as animal sanctuaries. Pijnven lies at the heart of a larger forest complex called Bosland. This 4,500-hectare area is one of the largest forests in Belgium. You'll cycle through various charming Flemish villages and hamlets, and there's always a terrace serving a delicious, fresh Limburg pie. Since 2007, Leopoldsburg has had a proper Walk of Fame, a nod to Hollywood. Because a relatively large number of celebrities (known as "BV's") grew up in Leopoldsburg, they were given their own stars in the sidewalk. Near Hechtel lies the In den Brand nature reserve. You'll cycle through a diverse landscape of high dunes, deciduous and coniferous forests. The dunes are unique in Flanders, even rare within Europe. So it's worth stopping for a moment and taking in the tranquility of what's often called Flanders' largest sandbox.