Across the border to Borkel and Schaft

This route takes you through the green border region between North Brabant and Belgian Limburg. You cycle from Overpelt to Borkel through the Dommel valley. This stream was once an important river, and it was probably used for navigation in Roman times. Due to human intervention, the Dommel started to meander and became a stream. The source of the Dommel is located at an altitude of 77 meters on the Kempen plateau in Belgian Limburg. The Dommel flows through a number of nature reserves that you cycle through on this route. One of these areas is De Plateaux-Hageven. This Dutch-Belgian nature reserve covers more than 500 hectares, of which 350 hectares are on Dutch territory. The area partly consists of flowing meadows planted with poplars. Conifers and heather grow on the higher parts. An alpine seed mixture was once sown in the Belgian part to develop the hay fields. For that reason you still see extremely rare plants such as autumn crocus here. In the villages of Borkel and Schaft you will see some monumental Kempen long-facade farms from the eighteenth century. Borkel is also home to the Sint Antonius Abt, a windmill from 1865. You then cycle through the agricultural and wooded landscape back to Overpelt. Just like in Brabant, you will experience that typical southern friendliness here. And the Burgundian slant: there is always a terrace where a delicious fresh Limburg pie is served.