Flemish Beer Route Cycling Tour

Your tour begins in Genk, where you’ll find your charming accommodation in the beautiful Molenvijver Park. After settling in, head out to explore the park’s sprawling grounds and enjoy a low-key evening here in preparation for your first ride to Heeze tomorrow.

The first day of this cycling holiday traverses the Kempen Plateau, starting with a major highlight: cycling through the Mechelse Heide, one of the largest heathland areas in Flanders. The route features a nearly 300-meter wooden bicycle bridge offering stunning panoramic views. This bridge is part of three unique cycle paths in Limburg: Cycling through the Heath, Cycling through the Trees, and Cycling through the Water.

Continue through the expansive pine forests and vast heathlands of Hoge Kempen National Park and the Ophovenderheide. The day's final destination is Peer, one of the 'Goede Steeden' of the former principality of Liège, home to the Pieter Bruegel Museum.

Another day filled with natural beauty begins with a touch of history. Shortly after starting, you will cycle through Hechtel, a village that was completely destroyed during the Battle of Hechtel in September 1944. As you pass through Pijnven, you will experience Limburg's unique "Cycling through the Trees," a 700-meter cycle path that ascends to 10 meters, winding through the treetops of Bosland van de Kempen.

Continuing past the former sand pits around Mol and along the canal from Dessel to Schoten, you will reach Arendonk, where you can admire the Toremansmolen. From here, it is a short distance to Turnhout, passing through the Liereman landscape, one of Belgium's oldest nature reserves.

Set out this morning bound for Antwerp, stopping in Merksplas for an interesting look at a former corrective institution known as Merksplas-Kolonie, where vagrants were taught farming skills and made to work the fields.

Continue through Oostmalle and Malle, then hop off your bike in Westmalle to savour a well-deserved Trappist from a sunny spot on the café patio overlooking the town abbey. Continue to Antwerp, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodation in this cosmopolitan city.

Swap out the lively buzz of Antwerp this morning as you ride to Leuven, enjoying a peaceful green route. Pause in Mortsel to visit Fort No. 4 for a dose of military history before continuing to lovely Leuven.

Leuven is a charismatic university town known for its stunning architecture and unique districts, such as the Groot Begijnhof.

Today’s exciting route takes you to Diest via Tielt-Winge, where you can take in the wonders of the bizarre Vlooybergtoren stairs.

Continue the route to the impressive Haksberg Castle, where you’ll find a fairy-tale scene of a fortress encased by sprawling vineyards. Change things up with a wine tasting here before continuing the route to Belgium’s most significant pilgrimage site, Scherpenheuvel.

The final stretch will take you to Diest, a delightful town with said ties to the Royal House of Orange. Take in the country beguinage and peruse the scenic banks of the River Demer, complete with a bike path and boardwalk for your enjoyment.

The final ride of the tour is sure to leave you awe-struck as you navigate some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Belgium. First up is the gorgeous Schulermeer Lake, then it's off to the land of 1001 ponds known as De Weijers.

The route continues through Bokrijk, where you can visit an open-air museum, and then you're in for a surprise. The final leg of the day takes you via a remarkable 200-meter cycle path right through a natural lake, with the surface of the lake's waters at eye level. Enjoy the wonders of this final ride back to Genk, where you'll enjoy your final evening of the tour.

This morning, your cycling tour comes to an end. With a week’s worth of epic memories made on the Flemish beer route, check out to depart.