Let yourself be transported to a royal past

Retie, Flanders, Belgium

Cycling route: 907275

based on 2 reviews

Provided by: De Kempen

43.4 km

02:33 h

765 kcal

28 m

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Description

In the mid-nineteenth century, the Belgian royal family acquired 4,500 hectares of land in Retie, Kasterlee, Geel and Oud-Turnhout. A smart investment with a social touch: hundreds of poverty-stricken Kempen farmers could get started there. Take a tour through this area and let history come to life.

The Prinsenpark
The planned castle never came to be, but King Leopold I liked to organize hunting parties on his Kempen domain. Family snapshots show Princess Josephine-Charlotte, sister of (the previous) Kings Baudouin and Albert II, going out by bike. Today, the beautiful ponds, atmospheric walking paths and impressive trees of the Prinsenpark remind us of this regal past. It is therefore the ideal starting point for this route, which serves you a generous portion of nature.

Natural beauty
The Kabouterberg and the nearby Hoge Mouw Provincial Green Domain are iconic because of the trees with aerial roots and the mix of sand, dunes and pine trees. In addition, you will encounter fascinating heritage, from an old Augustinian monastery to a former British military domain. Both are now ideal sources of relaxation. Do the children cycle along? Then choose the short, fun Prinsjesroute at https://www.kempen.be/route/prinsenroute.

Nature reserve Abbey Waterwheel mill Day recreation Forest Dunes and beach Heather Hills Nature Route Recreation area

Height Profile

Just across the border from North Brabant you will find the Antwerpse Kempen. Enjoy forests, heaths, beautiful old sights such as beguinages and abbeys and charming towns and villages such as Turnhout, Lier and Malle. You can also let yourself be pampered culinary with the most delicious regional dishes

You do not want to miss this

Below you will find various suggestions for breaks that you can visit during your route. These are divided into different categories, making it easy for you to choose.

Sights

Watermolen van Brustele

Waterwheel mill

The first mention of this mill dates from 1248. The mill house, rebuilt in the sixteenth century, is...

Domein De Putten

Day recreation

Domein De Putten serves relaxation for young and old. You can enjoy a snack or a drink on the spacio...

Provinciaal Groendomein Hoge Mouw

Nature reserve

The mix of dunes, sand and pines makes the Kempense Heuvelrug one of the most iconic landscapes in t...

De Hoge Rielen

Nature reserve

Residence domain De Hoge Rielen is located in the nature reserve of the same name of 230 hectares. I...

Priorij Corsendonk

Abbey

This Augustinian monastery in Oud-Turnhout closed its doors for good during the French Revolution. T...

Provinciaal Groendomein Prinsenpark

Nature reserve

The vast Prinsenpark in Retie is a picture, from early spring to the middle of winter. This former r...

Directions

Show detailed directions

#	Description	Distance
94	94 (Kastelsedijk, 2470, Retie, Flanders, Belgium)	0.00 km
25	25 (Grotekievit, 2470, Retie, Flanders, Belgium)	1.30 km
24	24 (Aardseweg, 2440, Geel, Flanders, Belgium)	3.95 km
87	87 (2440, Geel, Flanders, Belgium)	6.63 km
	Watermolen van Brustele (De Watermolen, 2460, Kasterlee, Flanders, Belgium)	7.05 km
	Domein De Putten (2460, Kasterlee, Flanders, Belgium)	7.20 km

Show full directions

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Reviews

based on 0 reviews

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