Aarschot, Molenheide and the Demer valley

Today you will drive to the Belgian town of Aarschot, a real discovery. Art and culture have been close to Aarschot's heart since time immemorial: the many statues and monuments gave Aarschot the nickname Beeldenstad. In the city you will also pass the Beguinage, founded in 1259. You will also discover the Demer Valley near Aarschot. This valley winds through the Kempen landscape like a blue-green ribbon. Blue because of the water - the valley has an important function in terms of water storage and drainage - and green because you will find unique natural values here. With its unique landscapes and nature, the valley offers a beautiful setting for your bike ride.

The inhabitants of the valley have personally experienced that the Demer cannot simply be squeezed into a straitjacket. The floods of 1998 were not that long ago. This woke up the policy makers and they realized that a different approach to water management is needed. A river is like a lifeline. With actions such as opening up the Demer through Diest and making the Laak water-bearing again through Aarschot, they want to breathe new life into the river and also the city.

The Demer valley is bordered by another beautiful nature reserve: Molenheide. A small-scale park landscape of oak and birch forests alternates with open heathlands, meadows, fields and fens. Many rare animal species have found their home here and butterflies such as the common blue, the oak leaf butterfly and the small pearl butterfly are expanding here more and more. Hares and deer are now permanent residents due to the large supply of herbs, sparrowhawks and owls find a rich hunting ground here.

The name of the heath was of course not chosen by chance: since 1662, the Heimolen has determined the landscape on den Oude Stok. After the last miller finally rolled up the sails of the Heimolen in 1958, it fell into disrepair. After an extensive restoration, the mill was operational again in 1999. Fun fact: a descendant of the last miller's family, Jef Van Aelst, has trained several millers here since then.