Go on one of these three bike routes to enjoy cycling in the Haspengouw. It’s particularly beautiful in the spring when the fruit orchards are in full bloom.
A couple of years ago I introduced you to the Haspengouw, an area of Belgium that is renowned for its fruit industry. Every year the region produces around 360,000 tons of pears and 280,000 tons of apples. Moreover, the region produces significant volumes of cherries, strawberries and soft fruits.
If you remember, I cycled the 70-kilometre “fruitoogstrit” (fruit harvest cycle ride). This is a super route through the orchards, which at that time of the year were bursting with ripe fruit. I also mentioned that I was intending to return to this area in Spring, when all the fruit trees are in full bloom.
Well, that time of the year is here. Currently (mid April) the apples trees are in full bloom, and the orchards look gorgeous.
So now is the perfect time to get on a bike and cycle through the wonderfully pink orchards of the Haspengouw.
Where’s the best place to see the Haspengouw blossoms?
I could of course repeat the “fruitoogstrit” that I did last September. However, a comment on my blog post from Tom Bastijns suggests that I missed the best part of the Haspengouw.
According to Tom, “the real Haspengouw is situated between Sint-Truiden and Borgloon. There you can have amazing views after riding up from one hill to the other. The part you did is also beautiful, but flat, and therefore less good for taking pictures.”
How can I resist his suggestion?
So I have done some research and found two recommended cycle routes in the area that Tom suggests.
38 km cycle trip around Borgloon
The first starts and ends in Borgloon and is a 38 km loop. Below is the map, and you can find the route and the GPX file here on RouteYou.
46 km around Sint-Truiden
The second starts and ends in Sint-Truiden and is 46 km long. Below is the map, and you can find the GPX file here on RouteYou.
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90 km around Borgloon and Sint-Truiden
I then decided to combine the two in this 90 km route from Sint-Truiden to Borgloon and back. Below is the map and you can download the GPX file for your device here from RouteYou.
As you can see, all the routes follow the excellent system of numbered junctions that I have written about extensively elsewhere. This means that you can easily shorten (or lengthen!) your route as your energy reserves get unexpectedly depleted (or topped up!).
What if I don’t have a bike?
No problem. Bikes can be hired for the day from Sint-Truiden railway station.
Good luck cycling in the Haspengouw!
I hope that you might have the opportunity to cycle one of these routes in the coming days and see the spectacular Haspengouw orchards in full bloom.
For you Pinterest fans, here’s a pin:
Love it, beautiful!
Sounds (and looks) like an amazing bike ride. I hope you are able to get out soon. In the meantime, I’ll recommend it to my parents. 🙂
Your parents are going to be exhausted with all the walking and cycling ideas you are giving them! 🙂
They actually wrote back telling me they did a similar bike ride in that area last year. 🙂
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Oh Denzil, I hope you do get to visit this area. I’m looking forward to seeing more photos of the blossoms. Is there a scent to go with the visual delight of the flowering trees?
Good question Carol. I am not aware of any strong scent, but hopefully I will let you know soon. I wonder how to encapsulate scent on a WordPress blog?
You need to invent smellablogging!
Super idea Carol. I’m going to submit the patent! I’ll share the profits with you, of course.
I knew you were a nice guy Denzil. ☺
I didn’t say 50:50 though! 🙂
Well, maybe not that nice…
That is some journey.. and yes it is also bringing out our apple blossom.. So warm this time of year too.. 22C here yesterday.. Half that today though a big drop.. Happy and safe travels Denzil.
Thanks Sue, I’ll let you know how it goes
What a wonderful way to see the countryside. Lovely.
Thanks Miriam
This looks like a great place to ride… and flat!! And with flowers! And great beer at the end! You are a lucky fellow. Share pics when you do the ride!
Hi Amy, yes and all we need is a bit of sunshine! Actually on a bike, the “flat” lands never seem as flat as I was expecting them to be! 🙂
Yes “flat” is a relative term. I suspect you get wind which is much harder to deal with on the bike than hills.
It all sounds beautiful, like people should flock there to see it as they do to see the cherry blossom in Japan. It must be amazing place to see wildlife too – imagine how many insects could be drawn to all that pollen and nectar. I wonder what apple-blossom honey tastes like….?
I don’t know about the orchards and insecticides; that would be something worth checking out. What’s interesting to see Theresa is that I notice more birdboxes going up in these orchards now than a few years ago, which is a good sign of the owner’s environmental friendliness.
Hi Denzil,
This sounds beautiful and the weather there has really warmed up for you quickly. We have similar temps here at the moment too.
As a bike rider, I can just imagine the peaceful and beautiful scenery of the orchards. A lovely post 🌟🌟
Thanks Di, it’s certainly good to see the thermometer rising; seems it will soon be passing yours on the way down! 🙂
You’re welcome Denzil. And yes, yours will continue to rise and ours will fall. Cherishing the equilibrium while it lasts… ðŸŒðŸŒðŸŒŸ
Reminds me of an area we stayed near Wiesbaden, Germany. Love the blossom photos!
Thanks for stopping by and smelling the blossom!
Sounds so lovely. Have Pinned.
Hey Denzil, lovely and interesting blog post!
Last weekend I went to Haspengouw and did 3 bicycle rides of +/- 70 km each.
It was great to be in the area, it’s so ideal for riding your bike, isn’t it?
I was there last year too, a week after the infamous storm in June.
Then a lot of bicycle paths were blocked and in many cases we had to literally crawl over and through fallen trees and bushes with our bicycles. That was quite an adventure too, especially when we were also confronted with a thunderstorm which left us completely soaked! 😀 But, nevertheless I even enjoyed that too! When the conditions are hard during a hike / bicycle ride I always imagine I’m one of the Fellowship of the Ring or even one of the Famous Five who are going through an exciting adventure! That’s my coping mechanism! 😀
Last weekend I also bought some Loonse Stroop, with apple, bear and bramble, lovely with bread!
Keep them coming, your great blog posts!
I think it’s rather obvious that the Stroop is made of apple, PEAR and bramble and not bear! 😀
Vegetarians will be mighty pleased!
Hi Kelly, glad you liked the post, and it seems you certainly had an energetic week of cycling! Last year’s cycle ride was definitely quite an adventure. You should be inducted into the Fellowship of the Ring, or the Famous Five should become the Famous Six. Any time you fancy writing a post about one of your rides or hikes, just let me know. Guest bloggers are always welcome!
Thank you, Denzil, I will keep that in mind! 🙂
A bike journey in spring – invigorating and beautiful!
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