Peaceful vineyards and stretched-out nature reserves make the Belgian countryside ideal for biking trips. So put on your sunglasses, a leg on the pedal, ready steady and go. If you’re someone who could be called a ‘proper cyclist’, who loves the sport and its history, then these cycling trips of Belgium should be on your bucket list. This weekend we have come up with the most favorable liking of Belgium that is cycling and wine. What about cycling with wine? To experience the new, grab a picnic basket with a bottle of wine on the luggage carrier and you would forget that you are cycling in Belgium.
Follow the routes for cycling in vineyards:
Wine landscapes route through the Hageland hills, Holsbeek
Between the cities of Leuven and Aarschot lies an incredibly attractive hilly landscape, the Hageland. The Hageland is the Alsace of Belgium. The province is full of varied landscapes, such as plains, hills and lush forests, vineyards along which you can pedal. The 47-kilometer Wine Landscape Route through the hilly and largely green part of Flemish Brabant is a promising indication of it. Depart from Horst Castle, a remarkable moated fortress, for a trip through the hills of Hageland.
Cycle through lawns and grasslands and past several vineyards and wineries. Your route also takes you past the Hageland Wine visitor center and the popular Vlooyberg Tower. Here and there you’ll realize you traveled back to the 60s. The small paths lead you close to their farmyards so you can relish the sounds and smells of the animals. Suggestion route on the cycling network.
Follow the waymarks: 65 – 45 – 46 – 5 – 24 – 73 – 27 – 28 – 74 – 97 – 98 – 99 – 2 – 42 – 82 – 64 – 63 – 44 – 43 – 65.
Grape and marl route, Bilzen
This route takes you to the most beautiful places in Groot-Bilzen. After all, Bilzen is located on the border of Kempen, Maasland and Haspengouw. Haspengouw is of course recognized for the fruit trees that furnish the terrains with color and fragrance. Nevertheless, the territory around Haspengouw has a lot more in store. A route of 55km with a few moderate to steep slopes through the intriguing marl landscape with its sweeping panoramas is best explored on a bicycle.
You depart from the Grand Commandery Alden Biesen, a silent witness to a rich past. The route takes you by more castles, such as Belgium’s oldest wine castle, and impressive square farms. During your tour, the hilly Grapes and Marl Route feasts you to fascinating pastures and sceneries. The fruit trees and vineyards tickle your senses. In the surrounding villages, you will find a combination of open fields, widespread forests, nature reserves, meadows, and hollow roads. The undulating relief guarantees beautiful panoramas in many places.
Follow the waymarks: 68 – 89 – 86 – 87 – 569 – 80 – 540 – 81 – 90 – 66 – 67 – 504 – 200 – 85 – 68.
Between the vineyards of Heuvelland, Kemmel
The area of Heuvelland is located in West Flanders and is known as the ‘Land of Hills.’
According to Tourism Westhoek, no less than 15% of all Belgian wines are produced in Heuvelland. As unusual as it may sound in the ‘land of beer.’ Would you like to learn everything about the Heuvelland wine estate? Heuvelland is a wine region of some distinction. The excellence of the wine in this region is guaranteed. To wander in this land of beer follow the signposted route from vineyard to vineyard.
The Heuvelland Walking Network can be walked in both directions. You can choose your route. That is why the Vintage Heuvelland cycle route was mapped out, which takes you 24 kilometers along the best wine addresses in the region, with a terrace here and there. Indulge yourself with the best cycling experience at one of the many small vineyards, while enjoying views of the calm landscape that was once a battleground.
Follow the waymarks: 99 – 98 – 93 – 97 – 55 – 4 – 54 – 36 – 2 – 7 – 9 – 6 – 8 – 27 – 8 – 6 – 57 – 99.
The Ghent wine tour
20 years ago the city was congested and did not have the right infrastructure to help people more around. The local government decided the best thing to do was to roll out a plan to turn Ghent into a cycling city. Since then, the bike infrastructure has improved massively and Ghent has transformed into one of the best European cycling cities. Ghent is also known for its magnificent garden with its vineyard and ruin is an oasis of greenery in the city.
Over the middle of East Flanders, a lot of bottles of white and red gold roll off the production line every year. The 50-kilometer Ghent wine tour takes you past three wine domains: Merelbeke, Zwijnaarde, and Afsnee, some fascinating palaces, and gorgeous natural treasures that you can only cherish at their best while walking or cycling.
Follow the waymarks: 99 – 79 – 78 – 16 – 17 – 22 – 12 – 7 – 5 – 4 -52 – 56 – 63 – 67 – 88 – 22 -23 – 79 – 89 – 33 – 34 – 40 – 3 – 1
Along with wine estates in Rivierpark Maasvallei
The Meuse Valley is the perfect place to loosen up and take an adventurous cycling experience. Six walking routes have been laid out on the Belgian side of the Meuse and one on the Dutch side of the river. To take you along the most beautiful locations in Rivier Park Maasvallei.
For a cross-border and heroic wine excursion, you can encircle a few kilometers in the extensively car-free Maasvallei River Park. A path of 34 km built especially for biking in this region will allure you. You will be cycling in one of the arid and heating provinces of the Benelux, an ancient winery that has top wines to their name is Domein Palmenhof, where you could sip their luscious wines on an alluring wine terrace.
Follow the waymarks: 24 – 26 – 46 – 49 – 48 – 49 – 50 – 56 (to Leut) – 50 – 27 – 19 – 13 – 24 – 25
