Cycling past Haspengouw castles

With its gently rolling hills, fruit orchards, forests and stream valleys, the idyllic Haspengouw is also called the Tuscany of Belgium. In this part of Belgian Limburg you will also find plenty of cultural history, such as in Borgloon and of course Tongeren.

Charming Tongeren
Tongeren started out as a Gallo-Roman civilian settlement in the year 15 BC. Nowadays Tongeren is a tourist attraction where, in addition to Roman remains, you can also admire the Basilica of Our Lady and the Beguinage (both dating from the thirteenth century). The fifteenth-century Huis Dommershausen is located on Maastrichterstraat, one of the two remaining half-timbered houses in the city. Lovers of regional dishes can try a Tongers Koekje (a tasty coconut shortcrust cookie) or Tongerse Mop (an anise cookie).

Limburg castles
In Gors-Opleeuw (which enjoys a protected village view) you will see a fifteenth-century church tower, a square neo-Gothic village pump from 1845 and the imposing Gors Castle. Near Widooie you can see Terhove Castle, located on the Mombeek, where a Roman villa once stood. The Castle of's Herenelderen is a beautiful centuries-old moated castle. The castle has been in the hands of the De Renesse family since 1501. 

Impressive castle grounds
When you think of Limburg, you think of old square farms, chapels and castles. You regularly encounter them on this route. One of the hotspots in this region is the domain of Grand Commandery Alden Biesen. This complex was built by the German knighthood from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century. The impressive castle complex has now been beautifully restored. A visit to the castle takes you far back in time. You can visit almost the entire domain, including the English park, freely. Would you also like to cycle through the beautiful nature reserves around Genk? Then also drive route 345333.