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The Flemish Beer Route
The Flemish Beer Route
Type :
Hybrid :
E-Bike :
Duration :
8 days
Cycling days :
 6
Comfort :
period:
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Code:
BE108030
History Nature Cities Beer
price from € 857
The Flemish Beer Route
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The Flemish Beer Route

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Bike Tour: The Flemish Beer Route - 8 days

The Flemish Beer Route

Belgium is famous worldwide for its many different beers, with a brewing tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Centuries ago, even children were given a bit of brew to avoid the undependable drinking water. Nowadays over 200 breweries operate here, creating a variety of styles from refreshing white ale to bolder tripels and quadrupels. On this cycling holiday, discover the origin of several of Belgium’s best beers and marvel at the lovely surroundings that produce them! 

Explore the world playing card capital of Turnhout and go mad in Antwerp trying to see everything on your list. The friendly university town of Leuven lives up to its reputation and your week ends with a fun and quirky highlight: cycling through water!

Route
Day 1: Arrival Genk
Day 2: Genk - Peer
Day 3: Peer - Turnhout
Day 4: Turnhout - Antwerp
Day 5: Antwerp - Leuven
Day 6: Leuven - Diest
Day 7: Diest - Genk
Day 8: Departure from Genk

Day 1:    Arrival Genk

Make your way to Genk today, receive a friendly welcome at your hotel and wander through delightful Molenvijver Park before dinner.

Day 2:    Genk - Peer
66 km

The first day of this cycling holiday takes you across the Kempen Plateau. The trip immediately starts with a highlight: 
you cycle along a cycle path right through the Mechelse Heide, one of the largest heathland areas in Flanders. The highlight of this cycle path is the almost 300-metre long wooden bicycle bridge with a beautiful panoramic view over the landscape. This panorama bridge is part of three unique cycle paths in the province of Limburg, all of which you will pass during this trip: Cycling through the Heath, Cycling through the Trees and Cycling through the Water. 

Continue cycling through the vast pine forests and endless heathlands of the Hoge Kempen National Park and across the Ophovenderheide. 
Today's final destination is Peer, one of the 'Goede Steeden' of the former principality of Liège. 
Here you will find the Pieter Bruegel Museum.

Day 3:    Peer - Turnhout
75 km

Another day full of natural beauty starts with a little bit of history. Soon after the start you will cycle through Hechtel. This village was completely destroyed in September 1944 during the Battle of Hechtel. Through the Pijnven you cycle through a new unique cycling experience in Limburg: Cycling through the Trees. A 700 meter long cycle path takes you through a double circle at a height of 10 meters. You literally cycle in higher atmospheres between the treetops of the Bosland van de Kempen. Via the former sand pits around Mol and the canal from Dessel to Schoten you arrive in Arendonk where you can admire the Toremansmolen. From here it is not far to Turnhout. On the way through you will first pass the Liereman landscape, one of the oldest nature reserves in Belgium

Day 4:    Turnhout - Antwerp
59 km

Venture out to picturesque Merksplas and pop in at the visitors’ centre to learn about former prisioners’ colony where farming skills were taught and practised out in the fields. Pass Oostmalle and Malle on your way to Westmalle, to savour a well-deserved Trappist beer at the café opposite the abbey. Then zoom onward to the cosmopolitan city of Antwerp.

Day 5:    Antwerp - Leuven
68 km

The city hubbub comes to a hush as you glide into quieter, greener surroundings. Check out a bit of military heritage at Mortsel’s brick-and-sandstone Fort no. 4, one of the eight original Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) on Antwerp’s defensive line. Sail onward toward Leuven to spy the festival grounds where the 4-day Rock Werchter is celebrated each summer. Then test your legs a bit when you encounter a few gentle slopes! The welcoming university town of Leuven offers a taste of the good life, shared with local bon-vivants, and traditional architecture at the Groot Begijnhof, a residence for the “Begines”, a 13th-16th century semi-monastic order for lay women.

Day 6:    Leuven - Diest
44 km

Cycle a superb stage, stopping first at the Vlooybergtoren in Tielt-Winge. Clamber up the rusty steps and take in the panorama from this unique, and seemingly precarious, vista point. Further on, Haksberg Castle nestles amid 3.6 hectares of vineyards, where local wines are named after the bird species of Hageland. Make time to stop at Belgium’s most important pilgrimage site, Scherpenheuvel with the Low Countries’ oldest central-plan domed church. Top your day off in the gorgeous town of Diest, with its historic ties to the Royal House of Orange. This as yet 'undiscovered' destination adds a welcome surprise and the chance to amble along the River Demer. 

Day 7:    Diest - Genk
58 km

Today’s flat roads will not leave you breathless, but the scenery most certainly will! Ride first to the Schulensmeer, with its array of water sports, then dive into De Weijers, the “Land of 1001 Ponds”. Slalom your way past man-made fishing ponds, marvel at colourful vegetation and keep an eye out for unique fauna. In Bokrijk, an open-air museum depicts early 20th-century country life and a chance to try your hand at traditional skills and crafts. Finally, brace yourself for a bizarre experience as you cycle a 200-metre path right through a natural lake, skimming along in harmony with the ducks.

Day 8:    Departure from Genk

After one final hotel buffet breakfast, your cycling holiday comes to an end and it’s time to make your way home.

Prices & dates

Starting dates:

Saturdays from April 2nd to September 25th.


Price pp
Double room, breakfast 849.00
Single room, breakfast 1,234.00
Extra night double room, breakfast only 80.00
Rental bike
Hybrid 105.00
E-bike 210.00
Extra services
Bike theft insurance € 3.00 x 7 21.00
E-bike theft insurance € 6.00 x 7 42.00
Bike helmet per piece 10.00
SGR per piece 5.00

Start:

Genk

Accommodation

The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain accommodation is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a comparable alternative. 

 

Hotel de Stiemerheide**** (Genk)
Hotel de Boskar**** (Peer)
Turnhout City Hotel**** (Turnhout)
Van der Valk Hotel Antwerpen**** (Antwerpen)
Park Inn by Radisson Leuven*** (Leuven)
Hotel de Franse Kroon*** (Diest)
Bikes

Our hybrid bikes are Giant Aero RS2 or similar bikes

Assembly: with Shimano Deore (24 gears)

Brakes: Shimano rimbrakes (hand brakes)

Pedals: Flat pedals

Weight: ca. 16,5 kg

Hybride Cycle Center

The e-bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine.

The e-bikes are Kalkhoff 2.0 Impulse or similar with 7 gears

They have a Bosch 500 Wh middle engine with a range of approx. 100km (normal use)

Brakes: rimbrakes

Pedals: Flat pedals

Weight: ca. 27 kilo. 

Our premium bikes have 27-gears

The bikes are aluminium Giant Aero RS1 or similar bikes

Assembly: Shimano Deore XT

Brakes: Shimano Deore rimbrakes (hand brakes)

Saddle: Selle Royal Sport

Pedals: Flat pedals (SPD or SPD-SL on request)

Weight: ca. 14 kg

Our childbikes are Giant, Merida or Golden Lion (aluminium)

Assembly: Shimano 7 gears

Brakes: Shimano (handbrakes)

Pedals: Flat pedals

Weight: ca. 14kg

Our roadbikes are Carbon Giant TCR/Defy, or Merida Reacto or similar

Assembly: Shimano 105 or Ultegra 20 gears

Brakes: Shimano 105 or Ultegra rim brakes

Pedals: We can provide flat pedals, toeclips, SPD, SPD-SL, Look or Keo pedals

Weight: depends on model and type but from 8,5 - 10 kg

Attention: If you rent a roadbike, those won't be provided with panniers

Bell

All our adult bikes come with hand brakes. 


Brakes

All our adult bikes come with hand brakes. 


Childseat

For children up to 30 months old (max. 15 KG) it is possible to rent a front child seat. This is not possible with e-bikes, due to the display.

For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. This is also possible with e-bikes. 


Helmet

Helmets are not mandatory in Belgium, but can be rented. Most of the helmets are Lazer Compact helmets or Polisport
Available sizes: M, L and XL and also child helmets 


Lights

All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights. You need to push the button on the lamp and it will flash three times. This means that the lights will automatically start working when it gets dark. 

When you push again, the lamp will flash one time and the lights will be turned off.


Locks

All our bikes have locks on the bikes and we also provide one extra chain lock per couple of bikes.

Our e-bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).

You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.

When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.


Pannier

1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.

Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.


Pedals

The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals or toe-clips.


Quickrelease

All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars. 


Repairkit

All bike are provided with a small repairkit including an extra inner tube, chain rivet extractor and hand pump. There is also one First Aid Kit per couple of bikes. Please leave this always in the bike after your tour!


Saddle

Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’. 
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover. 


Waterbottles

Belgian Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your water bottle in your pannier.


Our tandems are Multicycle, Sparta or Gazelle (all aluminium)

Assembly: Shimano Deore LX or Deore XT

Brakes: rim brakes Shimano Deore

Pedals: Flat pedals

Weight: ca. 30 kg

 

For a hybrid bike: € 3,00 per day per bicycle.

For an electric bicycle: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.

Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance. 

Article 1 Bike Rental Price

The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Belgian Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.

Article 2 Payment

a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.

b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Belgian Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.

c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.

Article 3 Rental Period

a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the day before departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.

b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.

c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.

d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip. 

e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).

f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Belgian Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.

Article 4 Improper Use

a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.

b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.

c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.

d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.

Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft

The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.

Article 6 Theft Insurance

It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.

Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium

a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00.

The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.

Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft

a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.

b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.

Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period

Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.

Practical info

7 nights included

3/4 star hotels

Tourist tax included

Breakfast included, half board optional

Tourist information on all the places of interest

Rental bikes available

7-day service hotline

Luggage transport to your next hotel

Genk

Parking available at the hotel

GPS-tracks available

Ferry crossings are not included

Arrival info

The nearest airport is Brussels Airport (BRU).

 

The train journey from Brussels to Genk takes approximately 2.5 hours.

For timetables and tickets: train.
For timetables and tickets: bus

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