Tour Kortessem

Belgian Limburg has a surprising amount of natural beauty. This route takes you through the Demerdal and Haspengouw. You will also visit places such as Hoeselt, Diepenbeek and the centuries-old Bilzen. A route with taste, because along the way you will find many places to enjoy a regional dish at your leisure.

Haspengouw is a gently sloping region reminiscent of Tuscany. A lot of fruit is grown on the fertile soil. Of course, part of all that delicious fruit ends up in one of the types of Limburg pie. You can enjoy this fresh delicacy with your coffee or tea on many of the Haspengouw terraces. Many grapes are also grown in this region, so you will find some of the northernmost Belgian vineyards here

In the valley of the Demer river you drive through a green zone with swamp forests, moist meadows and large areas where poplars grow. Reed fields grow here and there along the river. Cycling here is relaxing in this quiet and rural area.

In the villages and towns you will experience the characteristic Limburg geniality. And of course the Burgundian way of life. In Bilzen, for example, you can enjoy a beer from the local craft brewery Den Toetëlèr. Or you can try a regional dish, such as rabbit or farm chicken in Bilzer style.

While cycling you regularly see some buildings with a clear cultural-historical value. Printhagen Castle, for example. The tower of this building was built in Maasland Renaissance style, the core dates from the beginning of the seventeenth century. You will also pass square farms and see the town hall from 1685 on the market in Bilzen. The facade was made of limestone in the Maasland Renaissance style. Near Schalkhoven you will pass the castle of the same name. The original building dates from 1588. The castle received a makeover in French style at the end of the eighteenth century.