The Whitecap Route

This route takes you through the Dender valley south of Aalst. You will find beautiful quiet nature reserves here, such as the Wellemeersen. You will also pass through Ninove, a beautiful old town.

Aalst City Park
The city park of Aalst was created between 1911 and 1916 around two fishponds. More than a hundred species of trees grow there. The card house and garden house breathe the typical atmosphere of the period around 1900. The leafy towpath along the Dender is a wonderful way to make miles. You will pass Gerstjens, a city park on the right bank. Here too you will see monumental trees around a pond.

Ninove
Nature reserve de Wellemeersen is one of the last flood plains in the Dender valley. You will see reed lands, marsh marigolds, alder forests and sedge fields. You will also cycle through Ninove, a pleasant provincial town. The eye-catcher of this town is the leaning tower of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hemelvaartkerk, which was built between 1635 and 1723. It is one of the largest baroque churches in Flanders and is therefore certainly worth a visit. In the countryside you will see beautiful farms and characteristic wayside chapels. You will also pass the Ten Broeck watermill, a sixteenth-century watermill on the Molenbeek. The idyllic surroundings enjoy a protected village view and are beautiful to admire.