From abbey to ship lift

In Veerle, you set off towards the Abbey of Avebode to continue winding through Diest and Scherpenheuvel-Zichem. On that stretch of route, you ride on roads that are also regularly part of the "Baloise Belgium Tour" and "Dwars door het Hageland." You follow the hills of Hageland until you reach the Dijle and Druivenstreek. Through the forests in Oud-Heverlee along Lake Genval where you can occasionally see a chateau and a castle.

After the chateaus and castles, you enter the Center. The next point not to be missed will already come into view from afar, rising behind the hills of the Brabant Ardennes. The high tower of the Inclined Plane of Ronquières is the first to be seen. A remarkable piece of engineering worth a visit.

From Ronquières, you encounter one impressive structure after another. You pass by the old Ship Lift N°1 before riding under the Canal Bridge of Sart towards the old Ship Lifts N°2 and N°3. Then, it's off to the last old Ship Lift N°4. Meanwhile, you will have already passed by the replacement of the old ship lifts. The gigantic Ship Lift of Strépy-Thieu. It's worth stopping by to see the thing in action.