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 valley of the Dommel. This stream was once an important river, probably used for navigation in Roman times. Due to human intervention, the Dommel started to meander and watered down into a stream. The source of the Dommel is located at an altitude of 77 meters on the Kempens 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 is over 500 hectares in size, of which 350 hectares are on Dutch territory. The area consists partly of floodplains planted with poplars. Conifers and heather grow on the higher parts. In the Belgian part, an alpine seed mixture was once sown to develop the hay meadows. For that reason you can still see extremely rare plants such as autumn crocus. In the villages of Borkel and Schaft you can see some monumental Kempen long-gabled farms from the eighteenth century. Borkel is also home to Sint Antonius Abt, a windmill from 1865. You then cycle back to Overpelt through the agricultural and wooded landscape. Just like in Brabant, you will experience that typical southern geniality here. And the Burgundian slant: there is always a terrace where a delicious fresh Limburg pie is served.