Sweeping chicanes and sweeping curves transform every lake circuit into a highlight. This bike route proves that the direct route is also an eye-catcher.
In the Belgian province of Limburg, a cycle path impresses with a charming twist: over 200 meters long, it does not lead past the water, but rather straight through the pond. The bikers cycle at eye level with naturebecause thanks to two concrete walls, the cycle track is below the water level. Cyclists, joggers and hikers can still use the water see, smell and touch.
A concrete path helps wildlife
The “Cycling through the Water” project has been enriching the province of Limburg since 2016. It was created in close collaboration between the city of Bokrijk, the Visit Limburg tourism organization and the state authorities for forests and nature. The workers opened the local dikes for the bike path, which keeps the waters clean for longer. One Win-win situation for cyclists and amphibianswho benefit from clean water!
How do I reach “Cycling through the Water”?
The famous cycle bridge is less than an hour from the German border Junction 91 of the cycling network in the De Wijers lake landscape. Drivers can find paid parking spaces using the GPS address Bokrijklaan 1, 3600 Genk in under two hours from Cologne. Train travelers get on the next bus at Bokrijk train station, which stops right in front of the entrance.
Kilometers of cycle paths on the Belgian-German border
For cyclists, the region offers adventure food for an entire weekend trip. A round 2000 kilometer long network of paved cycle paths runs through the province of Limburg – largely free of cars, like the regional tourism platform Visit Limburg indicates. The projects “Cycling through the trees”, “Cycling through the heath” and “Cycling between the heaps” offer further adventure routes worth seeing.
1. Tour tip: Out of the water into the trees
Two days or one day, long and short trips: many bike tours combine the best biking highlights in Limburg. So leads a two day tour from the water section in Bokrijk in a brisk 134 kilometers to the tree section in the Bosland National Park. In a 700 meter circular path, the cycle track rocks gently as you cycle through the trees A total of 10 meters in altitude – right up to the treetops!
2nd tour tip: Through the blooming heather
It promises relaxed cycling 54 kilometer long tourwhich leads from Bokrijk to the “Cycling through the Heath” project. Bikers can discover the Hoge Kempen National Park with its sparse pine forests and vast heath landscapes over a four-kilometer-long cycle route. A 300 meter long bridge winds through the Mechelse Heide between mid-August and September unfolds its full flower power.
3. Tour tip: Free spin on the water
If you like it compact, you have to go for this one 28 kilometer long tour Don’t miss out on highlights. Similar to the neighboring Ruhr area, the people of Limburg once lived from mining. Today, lush pine forests cover the old mining dumps. Right in the first few kilometers Bikers float over a floating bridgewhich elegantly meanders 380 meters long over the water through the newly green hills – 360 degree views included!
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