Cycle through the water landscape of De Wijers

Today we start our journey at the Abbey of Herkenrode. This former monastery of the Cistercian nuns is a vessel of stories. The first stone of this stately domain was laid almost 900 years ago. Herkenrode even became the first female abbey in the Netherlands. At the end of the tour – this abbey is our starting place as well as our finishing place – we will learn even more about its fascinating history. First we take a sip of water and then we get going.   

Curiously we ride on and we are soon back on a beautiful, closed cycle path. It takes us for miles through the Limburg fields. Somewhere halfway along this path our two-wheeler takes us to De Teut. The unique silence of this vast heathland grabs us by the throat. Especially at the end of the summer, this is an impressive sight, when the rolling heather turns purple when the flowers bloom. We are far from the first people to discover this region. In prehistoric times, this was already a popular place. Hunters came to whet their axes on the so-called Holstenen, a kind of sandstone that stood the test of time here.

After an introduction to our ancestors from primeval times, we go forward in time a little. Not the present day yet. Because we are travelling on towards Bokrijk. This open-air museum is located in the middle of a beautiful nature reserve. The centuries-old buildings and some 30,000 pieces of heritage testify to the daily life of the past, from the 17th century to 1950. Are the little ones also on this tour? They are sure to enjoy themselves on the large open-air playground. 

There we find the time for a share of heritage and culture. Hasselt has a great deal to offer, and this journey says it all. Cheerful cyclists with a fondness for the contemporary arts will find what they are looking for in Z33, house for Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture. Interested in the more traditional expression of culture? The nearby Jenever Museum tells you all about the history and craft of this typical Limburg product.  

After our cultural stop(s) we now cycle towards the final kilometres of our small adventure. Again, we follow the water. On the banks of the canal, we once again find a tasty resting place on our route: the Jessenhofke brewery. We discover the range of this thriving organic brewery with a view of the metre-wide canal. We sip from a lovely glass while the boats quietly float past.  

A quick stop at Jessenhofke really marks the end of our cycling tour. For the last few kilometres, we will once again make our way along idyllic cycle paths, through the greenery and between the 1,001 ponds of the Wijers nature reserve. So we’re back to where we were, at the gates of the Abbey of Herkenrode. We lock the bikes here for a moment. Physical activity is exchanged for a good amount of heritage. The experience centre of the abbey tells us the highs and lows of the 600 years of women in this abbey, while we reflect calmly on the wonderful landscape through which we cycled today.